Joseph Michael "Mike" Byrne

Joseph Michael “Mike” Byrne, 81, of Princeton, passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Transcendent Healthcare of Owensville. He was born August 5, 1944 in Princeton to James and Neva Byrne who precede him in death along with a half-brother, Bob Byrne.

Mike accepted Jesus and lived with a steady determination that changed every part of his life. He retired from the railroad as a switchman and later started his own car detailing business: “One-Armed Bandit”, the name reflecting both his sense of humor and resilience. Mike suffered a stroke at age 48 that left him partially paralyzed on his left side, but he adapted and kept moving forward. Walking became Mike’s signature pastime. What began as rehabilitation after his stroke turned into a remarkable personal achievement over the years. He tracked every mile with meticulous dedication and logged enough to exceed the circumference of the Earth.

Mike enjoyed simple pleasures like a cold Coca Cola, and was proud of his Irish roots as a decedent of the O’Byrne family. A passionate sprint car racing fan, Mike rarely missed a chance to watch the World of Outlaws and was a familiar face at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt. He’d often travel to catch races elsewhere, finding joy in the sport and the community around it.

Mike is survived by his daughter, Lisa Graper and her husband, Donald; four grandchildren, D.J., Zane (Tessa), Neva, and Arielle (Harrison); and great-grandchildren, Kailo, Bellamy, Nova, Zealand, and one on the way.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Heart to Heart Hospice and the staff at Transcendent Healthcare for all the wonderful care Mike received.

The graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Archer Cemetery in Princeton with burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army where Mike walked a lot of his miles located at 202 S. Gibson St, Princeton, IN 47670. Condolences may be expressed online at ColvinFuneralHome.com. The Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve Mike’s family.

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