Donald Francis Byrne

Donald (Don) Francis Byrne, of Kankakee, IL., passed away Monday morning, August 28th 2017, at his home in Kankakee, at the age of 71. A memorial visitation will be held at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, at 1480 West Court Street in Kankakee on Thursday, August 31st from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Patrick's Church in Kankakee on Friday, September 1st at 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley. Don was born in Chicago, IL. on July 10th 1946 to Adeline Holub and Donald W. Byrne. He grew up in Cicero, IL., but eventually moved to Kankakee and graduated from Kankakee High School. Don started learning photography from his father and continued his studies at Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, WI. and later at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He took over the family business, Byrne Photography, following the passing of his father in 1970. He continued his career as a certified professional photographer for another 45 years, leading a commercial photography department at Roper Corporation from 1977 to 1980 and Byrne Photography from 1970 to 2015. On September 18th 1971 he married Louayne Michlitsch at St. Patrick's Church in Kankakee, enjoying 46 years of marriage together. Don earned many awards and recognitions for his life's work as a Professional Photographer, to include: "Top 10 Photographers of Illinois" multiple years; multiple images were accepted to the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Loan Collection, others featured in Professional Photographer magazine, and the Eastman Kodak National Traveling Exhibit. Don served in numerous leadership positions in both the Association of Professional Photographers of Illinois (APPI) and PPA, to include: PPA International Certification Committee 1986 to 1989; President of APPI in 1990; Chairman of the PPA Standards Committee from 1990-1993; and instructed seminars throughout the country. He also led a successful challenge against the State of Illinois to reduce the state sales tax rate on photography. After retiring from photography, he enjoyed working as a driver at Riverside Senior Life Communities, transporting residents to appointments, while trying to brighten the days of those he assisted. However, his greatest passion and proudest work is the family he and his wife made. He is survived by his wife, Louayne Byrne; son Jason Byrne; daughter Nicole and her spouse James Bell and their children Merric, Oliver and Charlie.

Donald Francis Byrne

July 10, 1946 - August 28, 2017