Frank J. Holloway

Frank J. “Pops” Holloway, 99, passed away of natural causes in the Catherine Kasper Life Center, at 10:50 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2013.

He was born on a farm in Mentone, IN., on November 21, 1913, the son of Glen and Neva Pearl (Rynearson) Holloway. When his mother died, he was raised by his grandparents in Burkett and attended Beaver Dam High School.

As a young man he worked 18 hours a day just for food and a place to sleep. He was paid five cents an hour. Realizing that was no future, he said, “I hitch-hiked to Warsaw and I never looked back.”

While working at the Plymouth Hotel in 1938, he met Mildred L. Maxon, the love of his life. They were married on Sept. 6. 1941. Millie died on the 12th of January,1995.

During World War II, Pops worked at Studebaker’s in South Bend building fighter plane engines. Later, he transferred to the Bendix Corp. making fuel controls for missiles. He remained there for 22 ½ years, retiring in 1963. A Plymouth fan of all sports, he had a history of over 65 years of supporting Big Red athletic teams. His memory was like a steel-trap for stats and scores and as a charter member of the Plymouth Booster Club, he could be counted on to cheer the locals, rain or shine.

An outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and, was an exceptional carver who constructed premier rods and lures. For years, he would make extra rods and donate them to fund raising charities. Some friends call him “Bluegill,” a handle that acknowledges his reputation as one of the best fishermen to ever wet a hook.

He was an accomplished mushroom hunter and could find them when others could not. As with successful hunters, he never shared his secret locations.

Pops collected things. Antique bottles, mostly unwashed and dusty: beer, perfume and medicine bottles. He also had thousands of colorful glass insulators decorating his back fence.

A group used to meet for breakfast at the Twin Lakes Grocery that was most recently changed to morning coffee at Castaways.

Pops has never failed to vote and never voted a straight ticket.

There’s a street named for him in Plymouth, probably the only one that honors a person that hasn’t made a historical, monetary or political contribution to the city.

Pops Holloway is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Larry E. and Michele Holloway, Plymouth, and children: Derek Holloway, Mishawaka: Tara (Brandon) Reilly, Mishawaka: Kristen Holloway, Miami, FL: Gordy Holloway, New London, CT.: Mitch Holloway, New London, CT: Jack Holloway, Max Holloway, and Tom Holloway all at home.

Three great-grandchildren include: Lauren Holloway, Noah Reilly and Addison Reilly.

A time to celebrate the life of Pops Holloway will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.

A prayer service led by Fr. Jeff Largent, pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, Culver will be held before visitation at 5:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Pop’s memory may be given to the Plymouth Athletic Department, 1 Big Red Drive, Plymouth, IN 46563 or the Catherine Kasper Life Center, P.O. Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.