Glenn Byars – Christopher

Glenn R. Byars, 89, passed away on May 9, 2017, in the Community Living Center at the Veterans Administration in Marion, IL.  He was the son of Luby and Mary (Silkwood) Byars and was born June 10, 1927, in Christopher, IL

He was united in marriage to Josephine (Venegoni) Byars on June 24, 1950, at the First Baptist Church, Christopher, IL, and together, they shared more than 66 years of marriage.

Glenn was a 1945 graduate of Christopher High School.  After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He was an Alumnus of Southern Illinois University, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1950.  In 1958, he received a Master’s Degree from SIU in Guidance and Administration.

He began his teaching career at Elkville High School, where he implemented an Industrial Arts program and coached football and basketball.  After two years, he was asked to implement the same program at Christopher High School.  There, he also taught science and physical education and coached track, basketball, baseball, and softball. In 1959, Mr. Byars was named Principal of Christopher Jr. High School and in 1966 was appointed the Superintendent, where he served for 10 years.

After a long career in the education field, he retired in 1984 with 35 years of service. Mr. Byars initiated the first summer recreation program in Christopher, for children 7 to 18 years old. Various summer activities included soccer, volleyball, ping pong, basketball, baseball, and swimming.  Later, he and his assistant and dear friend, Gene Helfrich, originated the Khoury League baseball program in Christopher.

Glenn Byars will be remembered as an avid sportsman.  His favorite remark was “I’m a participator, not a spectator!”  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap and skeet shooting, and golfing.  In his younger days, he played on independent basketball and volleyball teams.  He thoroughly enjoyed his times spent with his sons, family, and friends at these sporting events.

Mr. Byars served on the Christopher Elementary School Board for ten years, was the Chairman of the Rea Clinic Board of Directors, and served on the Isaac Walton Board.  He was a member of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, a fifty year member of the American Legion in Christopher and Marion, IL, Western Franklin County Historical Society and the Christopher Lions Club.

Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine (Venegoni) Byars, his parents, Luby and Mary (Silkwood) Byars, and two sisters, Theola Bouffiou, and Doyce Hutson.

Survivors include his sons, James Randall, and wife, Anita (Herzog) Byars, of Freeburg, IL, and Richard Scott, and wife Kimberly (Simpson) Byars, of Marion, IL.

Also surviving are his grandchildren:  Jessica Lynn (Byars) Stanford and husband Matt, of Belleville, IL., Bradley Scott Byars, of Dallas, TX, Scott Christopher Byars, of Freeburg, IL, and Robert Simpson Byars and wife Erica (Polacheck) Byars, of Minneapolis, MN, and great-granddaughter Colette Amelia Byars, of Minneapolis, MN.  Other members of the family who survive are, Bill and Catherine Browning, Gracie Venegoni, Bruce and Kari Tomei, Lisa and Rob Lowery, Laura and John Schneider, William and Georgina Browning, Randy and Marcia Venegoni, Paul and Julie McGuire, along with other great nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 11:00 at the St. Andrews Cemetery with Military Rites.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.