Obituaries

Byron Cooper Holston Byron Cooper Holston (a.k.a Joe), age 76, of Plain, passed away at home on Monday, July 12, 2021,  after a nine year battle with multiple myeloma and  permanent lung damage from a bout of COVID-19 last December.  Byron was born September 17, 1944, in Chester, Pennsylvania, the son of Samuel Dixon Holston and Margaret Ellen (Cooper) Holston. He graduated from Chester High School in 1962. He was transferred to the midwest in the early 70s (making his home in Clinton) for his position of plant manager for Advanced Drainage Systems in Harvard, Illinois, a position he held until retirement when he then moved to his current home in Plain. Byron enjoyed fishing with his friends and family, reading history books, doing word search puzzles, completing 1000-piece puzzles, vegetable gardening, canning homemade applesauce and salsa for friends and family, and spending time with his children and beloved grandchildren.  He enjoyed an especially loving and close relationship with the “Garner girls” and the “Zumm boys.”  For almost 30 years, he and his wife raised world champion Morgan horses under the registered name of Fox Hollow Morgans. His favorite vacation place was “back East” to visit family and Chincoteague Island. Byron is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, JoAnn (Lentine) Shibley Holston; his children, Byron (Jeannie) Holston, Heather (Timm) Zumm, Lisa (Michael) Garner, and Steven (Jamie) Shibley. Also, survived by his grandchildren, Patrick, Peter, Claire, and Jack Holston; Caleb and Noah Zumm; Katherine, Samantha, and Jennifer Garner; and Mason and Makayla Himmelspach. He also leaves behind several close cousins and their families from “back East” and several very special friends. Byron was predeceased by his parents; his in-laws, Joseph and Gladys Lentine; his brother, Mark Sherman Holston; his first wife, Theodora Hammond Holston; and his youngest daughter, Rebecca Leigh Behncke - a loss he never recovered from. The family would like to thank Greenway Manor of Spring Green for the excellent, loving care they provided him on two occasions over the last eight months.  Our deepest appreciation goes to his two dedicated and caring doctors who were always there for him - Dr. Ellen Wermuth (his Primary Care Physician) and Dr. James Huen (his Oncologist). He loved them both. Per Byron’s wishes no formal services will be held.  Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com.  The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green is assisting the family with the arrangements.