Barry E. Bilyew

Barry E. Bilyew, age 72, of Huntington, IN, passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at 7:22 p.m. in the ICU unit of Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN. Prior to his hospitalization, Barry had been a resident at Miller Merry Manor since July 2, 2021, when he was no longer able to walk.

Barry was born on November 15, 1949, in Huntington, IN, to the late Claude and Barbara (Brown) Bilyew.  His marriage was to Janet Garber, of Warsaw, IN, on January 2, 1971, and they had three children, Brittany, Brock and Jason. 

Barry was a 1968 graduate of Huntington North High School. He had been a co-owner of the Modern Shoe Store, for over 20 years, with his parents. Barry loved the outdoors and would love to go fishing at this grandpa’s lake and catch those BIG bluegills and perch to be able to have a fish fry for everyone. He was a committed coin collector for many years and loved to go to coin shows and do some wheeling & dealing with the other collectors. In his early 40’s, he thought he was quite the “cowboy” and would go to different places with his divorce-support group of friends and go line-dancing.  He began his own handyman service and worked for several different realtors in the Huntington area. One frightful day in 2002, Barry and his coworker had gone down to Wabash to give an estimate on a job for a realtor. When driving back home, a state highway mowing accident happened to Barry and ¼ of his skull was taken away from him. He was airlifted to a Fort Wayne emergency room and they did not give much hope of living to his family. He had survived now for an additional 20 years!

Barry loved watching TV to see his favorite Colts team play and his other favorite shows were MASH, Golden Girls, and Gun Smoke which he could watch for hours. He had never been uncomfortable going to the hospitals or nursing homes since he thought that EVERY nurse had a “crush” on him, so he would keep telling each of them they were his favorite girl. Due to his brain injury, he never had a full feeling so it was not unlikely to catch him raiding the fridge at midnight and telling his caregiver that he had forgotten to eat his dinner. His long term memory could remember EVERY detail that took place, prior to his accident, but his short term memory would not allow him to remember to turn off the water faucet. Barry was the uncle to six adorable feline fur babies, who he enjoyed to talk to and have them sit on his lap as long as they didn’t try eat his food. He loved when friends and family would come to the house to see him and talk about the “good old days”. His smile was very contagious and made the room a brighter place with his laughter and ornery smile.

Barry is survived by his daughter, Brittany Olive, Killen, AL; granddaughters, Taryn Dershem, Hillsboro, OR, Hanna Olive, Killen, AL; grandson, Taylor Dershem, Mobile AL; three sisters, Carol Jane Mowrer, Plymouth, IN, Claudette (Marvin) Bangs, Betsy Bilyew, both of Huntington, IN; and one brother, Donald (Joanne) Bilyew, Honey Brook, PA.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by two sons, Brock Bilyew (age 40), Jason Bilyew (age-one day); nephew, Chris Bangs (age 43); grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service beginning at 5:00 p.m. at McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, with Chaplain Sue Ross and a close family member, Trace Hinesley officiating.

A private burial will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate any donations in loving memory of Barry to go to Helping Paws Pet Haven, LLC or Riley Children’s Hospital in care of McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, 46750.

 McElhaney- Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences:    www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome.com

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