leaders among us 2009

SBJ Leaders 042009.qxp 4/20/2009 10:52 AM

MAY 2009SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL2

Contact UsPublisher:Dennis M. DeRossett(618) 351-5038

Editor:Gary Metro(618) 351-5033

Advertising:Abby Hatfield(618) 351-5024

Circulation:Trisha Woodside(618) 351-5035

Publication Design:Rhonda M. Ethridge(618) 529-5454

About Us

The Southern Business JournalMonthly is a publication of TheSouthern Illinoisan. Contact usvia mail at 710 N. Illinois Ave.,Carbondale, IL, 62901, or atP.O. Box 2108, Carbondale, IL,62903. Also reach us onthe Web at www.sbj.biz andvia email [email protected] 2004 by TheSouthern Illinoisan, allrights reserved. Informationabout how to subscribe maybe obtained by calling618-529-5454 or618-997-3356, or byvisiting our Web site.

Congratulations to Lois Murphy

from the City of Murphysboro,Murphysboro Tourism Commission,

Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce & Murphysboro Main Street

Feirich / Mager / Green / Ryan

Attorneys at LawProviding Business and Personal Legal Services to the Midwest

Located in the Westown Centre • 2001 West Main, Carbondale • (618) 529-3000

Visit our web site at www.fmgr.com

Commercial Transactions

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F M G R

SBJ Leaders 042009.qxp 4/15/2009 4:18 PM

MAY 2009 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 3

About This Issue

Welcome to the sixthannual issue of theSouthern BusinessJournal’s “Leaders AmongUs” publication.

Each spring since 2004 wehave had the pleasure ofhonoring a group ofindividuals fromthroughout SouthernIllinois who go to extraefforts to make theircommunities – and theentire region – a muchbetter place to live, workand play. Communityinvolvement, commitmentand leadership are qualitiesshared by all thosereceiving this award.

This year’s 16-memberClass of 2009 brings thetotal number of thosehonored as “Leaders Among

Us” to 102. You will enjoyreading about this year’saward winners in the pagesof this magazine. Each willbe recognized at theCommunity Leaders’Breakfast on Friday, May 1at John A Logan College.

Over 45 people werenominated this year and theselection process was mademore difficult because of somany qualified nominees.The selection committee did

a good job of choosing agroup to be honored thatwas representative of theentire region. The Class of2009 represents 16 differentcommunities in 10 differentcounties in SouthernIllinois.

None has requested to berecognized or to be honored,but their fellow citizenshave recognized theirimportance in theircommunities and put forththeir names in nomination.And, each one is verydeserving of therecognition and we arepleased to honor them.

We thank everyone whoparticipated in thenomination process thisyear. We also thank ourCommunity Partners,

without whose sponsorshipand commitment to “OneRegion, One Vision” theseawards would not bepossible. They are:Southern IllinoisHealthcare, PepsiMidAmerica, SchoolCenter,John A Logan College,Southern IllinoisUniversity, EgyptianElectric Cooperative andShawnee CommunityCollege.

Please join us in honoringthis year’s “Leaders AmongUs.”

– Dennis DeRossett ispublisher, and Gary Metro iseditor, of the SouthernBusiness Journal. They canbe reached at 351-5033 or [email protected].

DeRossett Metro

A-1 BUILDINGS & OVERHEAD DOORS

Join us in applauding‘Leaders’ class of 2009!



rnie Collins has never thought twiceabout going the extra mile forsomeone in need. There were timesthroughout his 28 years as an Illinois

State Police trooper that he would letstrangers use his tools, borrow his car andeven stay the night at his home. He was notlooking for personal gain but receivedsatisfaction simply by being able to help.

A lifelong resident of Mount Vernon, Collins beganhelping others at 17 when he bought his first car. He

often was called on by friends and neighbors for aid.After high school, he attended Southern Illinois

University Carbondale and Mount Vernon CommunityCollege (which would later become Rend Lake College),but decided to enlist in the U.S. Air Force beforereceiving a college degree.

The Air Force taught Collins the true value ofteamwork, respect for others and a positive attitude. Heserved in Japan, Thailand and the Philippines, anddiscovered that being polite to his neighbors made hisstay a much more satisfying experience.

Upon returning to civilian life, Collins married hiswife, Brenda, and was accepted into the Illinois StatePolice Academy. As a state trooper, he made a habit of

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after hours because therewas still something thatneeded to be done,” Collinssaid.

Collins not only enforcedthe law; he also taught it. Hetaught truck laws andoverweight enforcement atthe police academy. He alsotaught classes in first aid,CPR and age-awareness tochurch groups and othercivic groups throughoutSouthern Illinois. Collins

spent about 20 years of hiscareer as a trooper teachingthe law to others.

Shortly after joining ISP,Collins became a volunteerfirefighter for Jefferson FireProtection District.Averaging 55 calls permonth, he responds to fires,medical emergencies, caraccidents and public

assistancecases. Collinstakes pride indirecting theyoungfirefighters onthe staff.

“I know frommyexperiences I

can help out these youngerpeople,” he said, “but I alsolearn from some of thesenew guys.”

Even though he has lovedhis career, Collins considershis position as chaplain forthe American Legion his No.1 priority. Last year alone, heperformed eulogies at 86funerals for war veteransand believes vets deserve abetter sendoff than they areotherwise given. Collinsspends much of his timecalling funeral homes,visiting families andresearching on the Internetthe deceased veterans, all topay proper tribute at thefuneral. As part of the colorguard, he has great respectfor the American flag andincludes explanations for all13 folds of the flag in everyservice.

“Some of those guys werein harm’s way and somewere not, but every one ofthem has a story to tell,”Collins said. “I stress thepoint that we had a lot ofgood memories.”

It is not always easy forCollins to keep up withfunerals. Sometimes he

doesn’t hear of aveteran’s passing beforereading obituaries in thelocal newspaper. Evenwith the stress of timerestraints, he will notskip a funeral for a fellowwar veteran. This makesit impossible for him andBrenda to take vacations,

something he hopes to dosomeday. But, right now, hefeels it is a sacrifice he mustmake.

Collins also serves as adeacon at MeadowbrookChristian Church and hastaught a Sunday School classfor 10 years. He takes thetime to mail birthday cardsto church members andassumes custodial dutiesfrom time to time.

His other volunteer worksinclude serving once a weekat a local soup kitchen andmaking deliveries for Mealson Wheels. During hisdeliveries, he carries apocket full of dog treats andhands them out to familieswith dogs. That, Collins said,just makes their day, and heis happy to do it.

“People don’t help peopleanymore, and they need to,”he said.

Collins also plays a role onOperation: Iraqi FreedomCommittee, which raisesmoney for local soldiersserving in Iraq andAfghanistan. Upon returninghome, each soldier ispresented a BX gift card,valued from $600 to $900, tobe used for groceries.Committee members alsothrow soldiers a paradewhen they come home fromservice.

“I see these boys inuniform, and I’m just soproud of them. I get chokedup emotionally a lot oftimes,” he said.

Collins really justappreciates the fact that hehas a good life. Heencourages others to be whatthey want to be and to notsweat the hard stuff. He likesto quote something he onceread: “If there wasn’t anyrain, life would be a desert.”

– Thomas Barker


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DID YOU KNOW?Ernie Collins loves his

Honda Gold Wing motorcycleand has been part of severalbiker groups, including theAmerican Legion Riders.

going out of his way tohelp motorists on theinterstate. On one occasion,he encountered strandedmotorists with a blownradiator. He removed theradiator himself so it couldbe taken to a repair shop. Inless than two hours, thedriver was back on the roadwith only a $15 bill to pay.

“Quitting time did notmean you went home. Many,many times, I was out there

COLLINSCOLLINSERNIE


The family-owned business, B and ATravel Service in downtownCarbondale, remains in the samebuilding where David’s parents (Bill andAnna) started it in 1963, and there’s alsoan office in Marion. He owns thebusiness with his brother and sister andthey consider their employees family.

“We try to select (travel packages)that are the best value and that peopleget the best experience from,” he said.“We want to make sure we’re the bestwe can be and set an example foreveryone else.”

He points to a laptop computer in thecorner of their living room, “I don’t goanywhere without that thing.”

Helen adds, “We try to treat peoplewith fairness, treat people like you wantto be treated.”

He is what they refer to as “theportable guy,” doing marketing, qualitycontrol, IT work, the back office jobs,and filling in for employees on vacation.She is a front line agent, spending hertime in the office.

“I’ve always felt the responsibility ofrunning the business; that comes beforeanything else,” David said.

“It’s my way of saying to my familyand coworkers ‘I’m doing this for you.’ Ivalue my family, and I think that’s oneof the reasons it’s been so successful.”

Ironically, the two who planwonderful trips for everyone else don’thave time for a vacation themselves.The last time they got away was for acruise several years ago. They usuallytry to steal some time on business trips,which they take separately.

The passion that fuels their long

hours in the travel business spills overin long hours both devote to numerouscommunity programs and projects.

“With the good fortune we’ve had,we’re in a position to do something forother people,” David said. “I loveCarbondale and I love Southern Illinois.Some of us need to take time to makethings better.”

Through the business, they sponsorfundraisers for groups like sports teamsat Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale and The Women’s Center.

David is immediate past president ofCarbondale Community Arts, where hehelped coordinate regional artsprograms and education with theIllinois Arts Council and assisted in theformation of the Arts AmbassadorsCouncil, a volunteer group.

He’s on the board of directors for theVarsity Center for the Arts, is theirtreasurer and is the chair of the designcommittee, which is considering ideasfor the interior and exterior of thebuilding.

The Coracy home contains art piecesfrom many CCA events, including a birdhouse made out of wine corks and ahandmade mask. Helen often volunteersat the programs.

“So much of what surrounds us in lifeis art,” David said.

“We have to look at how we can getpeople to understand how important artis. The more kids are involved in thearts, the more creative they’ll become.”

Carolyn Snyder of the CCA staffnominated him for the leadership honor.

“Most important is David’s effectiveleadership in working with personswith a range of ideas,” she said. “Helistens carefully and builds a consensusthat is focused on the needs of thoseserved.”

Helen also called her husband a“great compromiser.”

He admitted, “Everyone can be awinner. I’m a big believer in thinking ofhow to do things to accomplish

everyone’s goals. I’ll do whatever ittakes to make it work. Maybe that’s whyI don’t know how to say no.”

When their children were small,David coached soccer and softball.

He is chair of the CarbondaleCommunity High School Foundation, apast president and treasurer of theRotary Club and has served on theLights Fantastic Parade Committeesince 1991.

In addition to volunteering for CCA,Helen was a “soccer mom” when herchildren were growing up. A formermember of the Chamber of Commerceboard of directors and the executiveboard, she now serves on severalchamber committees.

She is also on the board for InspiringWomen.

For the past 25 years, she hasperformed with the SIUC Choral Union,which does two concerts a year.

“We do a master choral work eachsemester,” she said. “It’s my total ‘turn-off-the-brain’ and sing to my heart’scontent. I love it.”

David was born in Detroit and grewup in Carbondale. Helen was born andraised in Houston.

They met at Tulane University inNew Orleans. After marrying in 1977,they moved to Carbondale the nextyear, and David began working atB and A, learning the business from theground up.

Their son Ryan, now lives in Chicago,and their daughter, Kristin Snyder, livesin Murphysboro with her husband.

Two four-legged friends, dogs Chaserand Sammy, now share their home.

In the few spare moments they have,David watches movies and Helen likesto read books.

And as David said, “We always lookfor a way to do something that willmake a difference or make things betterfor other people.”

– Debbie Luebke Metro


CORACYCORACYDAVID & HELEN

sense of familypermeates the home,business and myriad ofcommunity projects that

occupy the waking hours ofDavid and Helen Coracy.

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DID YOU KNOW?David Coracy devours movies as Helen

Coracy devours books. He buys every newmovie when it comes out on DVD. She onceread three books in three days on a vacation.


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or most of his 86 years, Galen Davis hasbeen playing on the field, coaching alongthe sidelines or cheering from the standsat Du Quoin High School sporting events.

He has been such a fixture at games, generationshave come to know him simply as “Mr. Davis.”His story is a love affair with Indian sports andone that started as a child in the shadows of thebleachers.

“As a kid, I could throw a rock and hit the football fieldfrom my yard, so I saw all of the games from the time I was 7

or 8 years old,” Davis said. “I don’t remember paying to go toany of them. I always snuck through the fence.”

When he was old enough to play, he starred on the highschool basketball, football and track teams, leading Du Quointo conference championships in each sport. His career-bestlong jump of 21 feet, 4 inches stood as a school record formany years. He was a second-team all-state selection infootball and basketball. He fondly remembered once, single-handedly, outscoring rival Pinckneyville in a varsitybasketball game, and he recalled one particular footballachievement with pride.

“I remember playing Carbondale on a Thanksgiving Dayfootball game. I caught a pass with 30 seconds to go to winthe game,” he said.

Davis said he vividly remembers the catch and the game,

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even though it happenedmore than 65 years ago inhis junior year.

“I didn’t go out forfootball as a sophomore,”he explained. “Mymother wouldn’t let me.She said football was toorough a game for a boy.”

A year after heconvinced his mother tolet him play, he led theIndians football team as asenior to eight wins, one lossand a tie. The basketballsquad was 19-7 that sameyear.

World War II interruptedDavis’ athletics, but uponcompletion of militaryservice, he continued hisathletic success in college,lettering once as a memberof the Southern IllinoisUniversity basketball teamand three times in footballunder legendary SIU coachAbe Martin.

After graduation, he tookto the sidelines, coachingand teaching briefly in

Carlinville before returningto his hometown and almamater.

“I love Du Quoin,” he said.“I never was satisfied when Iwas away from it.”

That love of communityled Davis to not only teachEnglish, history andsociology at Du QuoinTownship High School, butalso to serve as head orassistant coach for foursports, athletic director and,later, assistant principal.

“I have served on theschool board, the citycouncil and was a teacher,coach and administrator,”he said. “What an exciting

life it’s been.”Before his retirement,

Davis began to compile ahistory of Du Quoin prepsports, citing a lack of acentral source ofinformation about teamsfrom the past. This work hasbecome his passion.

“I like discovery andresearch,” he said. “I justwanted to do something formy community and schools.”

His little “something” hasblossomed into acomprehensive collection ofnames, dates and detailsabout Du Quoin sports andthe community, as well. Hestill works to keepinformation up-to-date andeven takes special requestsfor information, as long asthose making the requests donot expect the findings to betyped.

“I did my original writingon a typewriter. I started outon a mechanical typewriter,and that one broke down. Ibought an electric

typewriter, and I typedthousands of words on it.When it broke, I decided itwas time to quit,” he said.“Now, if people ask me forsome information, and Idon’t know it, and I feel like Ican find out, that’s what I do.But I’ll give it to themverbally or in longhand.”

Davis, who said he can’teven estimate how many DuQuoin games he has attendedduring his lifetime, wasinducted in 1984 into theIllinois Basketball CoachesAssociation Hall of Fame.

He was honored in 2007 byDu Quoin High School, notonly as one of the firstinductees into an athleticshall of fame, but also forhaving the hall named afterhim.

“What little notoriety Ihave has been a result of myown little community,” hesaid. “That’s my life. This ismy hometown.”

– Les O’Dell


DID YOU KNOW?Galen Davis, who trained

to be a co-pilot on a B-24bomber, was only two weeksfrom overseas deploymentwhen the Japanesesurrendered, ending WorldWar II.

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Denny went into business with hisfather and brother, starting Denny &Sons, Inc., a highway constructionfirm. The company, which operateduntil 1987, worked mostly with earth-moving, rock bases, piping andbridges.

In 1988, Denny got a job working asprocurement assistance specialist forJohn A. Logan College andSoutheastern Illinois CommunityCollege. In that position, Denny usedhis 20 years experience inconstruction to help people in Illinois’southern 17 counties get contracts. Hehelped set up agreements betweensmall businesses owners and

representatives of state or federalagencies who wished to buy theirproducts or services.

In 1991, Denny took a job at ShawneeCommunity College as director of theSmall Business Development Center,which provides assistance withgovernment procurementopportunities. He stayed there untilhis retirement in June 2007. While atShawnee, he worked on the OlmstedLock and Dam project, helping acompany out of Marion get a $3.2million contract from the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers.

Denny also served as co-chair of theSouthernmost Illinois Prison


orn in Carbondale,Don Denny has lived inAnna all of his life. Hegraduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community

High School in 1963 andattended Southeast MissouriState University in CapeGirardeau, majoring inadministration. He marriedCheryl Davis in 1965, and theyhave four children and ninegrandchildren.

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DID YOU KNOW?Don Denny is renowned for

his barbecue pork steak andoften cooks at communityevents.

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Committee, which helpedsecure the Tamms super-maximum security prisonbuilt in 1995. It brought in 250construction jobs and apayroll that today exceeds $20million. It was Illinois’ firstsuper-max, and it currentlyhouses around 450 inmates.

“I feel that just shows howsuccessful communities canbe when they pull together tobring in a facility like that tothe area,” Denny said.

Denny was part of SIDEZ,Southernmost Illinois DeltaEmpowerment Zone, Inc.,

which brought in a $2 millionper year grant for Pulaski,Alexander and Johnsoncounties for 10 years. Dennysaid the project is responsiblefor considerable economicdevelopment and growth forthose three counties. To beeligible for the grant, thecounties had to show 20percent poverty levels; thisarea was one of five regionsnationwide that received thegrant.

When Denny retired in2007, he thought he would getto spend more time on his 250-

acre family farm. But he hassince taken office as countycommissioner, which haskept him pretty busy.

“I had enough peopleencourage me to be caucusedin, and I was lucky enough tobe elected,” Denny said. “Ihave a six-year term, and Ilook forward to working withthe other commissioners andthe people in the county to geta lot of things accomplished.”

Union Countycommissioners have beenbusy with budget plans butfound time to organize a few

committees for communityprojects, including TheSunshine Inn, a county-owned building, where mealsare provided to seniorcitizens.

Another project the boardis pursuing is the structuralassessment of the UnionCounty Courthouse inJonesboro, which sufferedsevere roof damage duringrecent ice storms. Insurancewill pay for a new roof, butthe courthouse is old, andmuch more space is needed in

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ngie Hampton ofEldorado said she isblessed to have “a jobthat I love to go to everyday,” but she doesn’t let

that stop her from working hardin her community as well.

Hampton is the CEO at EgyptianHealth Department, which servesSaline, Gallatin and White counties.She oversees some 150 employees, whoprovide both public health andbehavioral health programs.

“We have so many programs,” shesaid, that she had no idea on the spot ofhow many clients are served. “Weoperate a substance abuse recoveryhome in Enfield,” in addition to thenumerous outreach programs offeredby Egyptian.

She was nominated for the SBJLeaders Among Us award for numerousactivities, but Hampton’s main focus ison children.

In nominating Hampton for theaward, Lori Cox, director of theWorkforce and Illinois Small BusinessDevelopment Center, wrote that she isthe kind of person who “not only haspassion for her job, she has passion forher community,” and is a person who“not only inspires those around her, butalso transforms many aspects of thecommunity with her dedication.”

Cox mentioned Hampton’s efforts toprevent child abuse, expand economicdevelopment and provide leadership inthe community.

“My husband told me, ‘You have tostart saying no,’” Hampton said, addingthat she only takes on projects shebelieves in and wants to see succeed.But, she added, her husband, Bryce,also worked as a counselor beforebecoming a supervisor for IllinoisDepartment of Rehabilitation Services,so he understands her concerns aboutchildren.

Their daughter, Lauryn, 6, “is thebest thing that ever happened to me,”Hampton declared. “We’re as blessed as

two people can be. We both havejobs we look forward to and have ahealthy child.” Lauryn, she added,“is the most fun I’ve ever had.”

Her office has photos of thedaughter who has her mom’sfeatures and grin.

“People call her Mini-Me,”Hampton said, laughing. A framedcrayon drawing done by Lauryndepicts the two side by side.

“I’ve always had a passion forchildren and have done mentoringin the past,” Hampton said.

One of her dreams is to establisha Big Brothers/Big Sistersprogram in the Egyptian counties.Until that day, Egyptian sponsors anumber of informal programs tooffer role models for children.

Hampton has worked at Egyptiansince 1993, starting as a Youth ServiceProgram counselor. In 1999, she becamesupervisor of all the agency’s youthprograms, working with area schoolsand law enforcement agencies andtaking part in several state workgroups,she said. She was named director ofbehavioral health for Egyptian in 2002.In June 2005, she was appointed asEgyptian’s interim CEO whilecontinuing to serve as director ofbehavioral health until April 2006,when she was officially named CEO.

Unabashedly a hometown girl,Hampton grew up in Shawneetown andRidgway in Gallatin County. Afterreceiving an associate degree fromSoutheastern Illinois College inHarrisburg, she obtained a bachelor’sin social work and a master of sciencein rehabilitation administration, bothfrom Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale.

In addition to overseeing the healthdepartment’s daily operations,Hampton, 39, writes grant applicationsand monitors the agency’s funding.With the recent economic downturn,some grant funds have been cut, but shesaid “the agency is in good fiscal shape,so we haven’t yet considered cuttingprograms.”

The Egyptian office in Eldorado is a

sprawling building that housesnumerous programs, but clients alsofind a comfortable waiting room andfriendly receptionist out front. A signin the main waiting room tells folkswho have been waiting more than 15minutes for an appointment to let thereceptionist know.

Hampton serves on Prevent ChildAbuse Illinois board, and also is aboard member of Court AppointedSpecial Advocates (CASA); BridgeMedical Clinic in Harrisburg; GuardianCenter, an advocacy center for abusedchildren and their families; SouthernIllinoisan Health Magazine andCommunity Behavioral HealthcareAssociation.

She’s also active in Eldorado RotaryClub (one of two women members),Saline County Chamber of Commerce,Saline County University Women, andAlliance Against Drug Abuse.

She also was one of four SouthernIllinois residents appointed by thegovernor to the Delta LeadershipInstitute. She said it was “a lot of work,but a great experience.” They attendedsessions in all eight Delta states,traveling together to Memphis, LittleRock, New Orleans, Tuscaloosa andother cities. Each delegate worked on ateam with those from other states,developing a project designed to

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ANGIE DID YOU KNOW?Angie Hampton is an ardent

supporter of the organ donationprogram.

“I’m passionate about organdonation,” she said. “My dad had aheart transplant in 2006. It wasthe most amazing experience, otherthan the birth of my daughter.”

Her father, Larry Thrasher ofShawneetown, was waiting for aheart, and time was running out forhim, she said. Doctors wanted toimplant an artificial heart to helphim survive until a heart wouldbecome available, but her dadasked them to wait a little longer inhopes of getting the transplant.The family was in the hospital roomsaying a prayer. An hour later, a callcame in that a heart was available.

Another thing few of her friendsknow is that as a youngster,Hampton hung from monkey barson the school playground, hoping tomake herself taller. “It didn’t work,”the “almost 5-foot” Hamptonacknowledged with a grin. Butshe’s learned since then that it isability, not size, that can make adifference.

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reat passionsfor reading andhelping peoplehave empowered

Doris Heaton to live alife of service for hercommunity. Anyonewho has been to thepublic library in Bentonhas seen the good thingsher efforts have produced.

After growing up in the St. Louisarea, Heaton moved in 1972 toBenton, hometown of her husband,Richard, and attended SouthernIllinois University Carbondale. Sixyears later, after earning herundergraduate and master’sdegrees, Heaton began her careeras a teacher and librarian in theMcLeansboro school district. Eversince, the retired mother of three,and grandmother of five, haspromoted the importance ofreading in young people.

“I’ve always had a great love of

reading, and I believe it is a wayfor so many children to helpthemselves grow,” Heaton said.“You learn a little something everytime you read a book.”

Heaton shared her love forteaching with Richard, who taughtat Rend Lake College for manyyears. She believes both she andher husband were very lucky to getto do what they loved for a livingand would advise anyone to get outthere and go for their dreams.

“It’s a good feeling to do whatyou want,” she said.

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After a rewarding career and thepassing of her husband in 1986, Heatonbegan volunteering and actively fillingher role as president of Benton PublicLibrary District Board of Trustees. Herinvolvement in the community led to theremodeling of the old library andeventually the construction of the newBenton Public Library, which is now onSouth Main Street, not too far from thetown square.

The board is conducting a campaign torepair Benton’s very own Lady Liberty,an 8-foot statue erected in 1950 by the BoyScouts of America. It has stood outsidethe city’s last three library buildings.Now, the statue can be seen standing infront of the main desk, awaitingdonations to begin restoration. The ‘SaveOur Lady’ campaign aims to raise moneyand restore the aging statue by 2010, its60th anniversary.

“It means a lot to the community to seethe statue,” she said. “It has survivedthree libraries already, so we want tokeep it going.”

Heaton considers her work for thelibrary her greatest accomplishment.The new Benton Public Library was builtin 2005, one half at a time so that it hadto close its doors for only a few days. Themodernity and quality of the buildingmakes it an attractive gem among thecity’s streets, inside and out. Computers,study rooms and reading materialsprovide the district’s residents with thespace and information they need, all in a

comfortable setting.“It’s a beautiful building that we’re very proud of, and

we’re proud to have it. We’re proud of the people who aresupportive of it,” she said.

Another way Heaton serves her community is onFranklin County Tourism Board, preparingadvertisements and promotions for the county’s outdoorattractions. She feels it is important to attract more peopleto the county because tourism is one of its most beneficialvenues.

Her other acts of public service include a position onthe Soil and Water Conservation Board and an activemembership in Kiwanis Club of Benton. Additionally, sheworks as state secretary for Illinois Retired Teachers


DID YOU KNOW?Doris Heaton enjoys knitting and

crocheting blankets and handbagsfor her children and grandchildren,even if, as she said, they are notas excited about them as she is.

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HEATONHEATONDORIS

CongratulationsHarlean “Tickie” Miller

(618) 997-6281www.cityofmarionil.gov/

SEE HEATON / PAGE 38



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rying to provide youngpeople withopportunities to learnand grow as a person

is important to Susan Keim.That’s why in addition to the

many hours she spends on thejob as program manager atGeneral Dynamics, shedevotes hours to groups thatcan make a difference in thelives of the youngest membersof the community.

She was just re-elected to anotherterm on the school board inCarterville. She served six years aschair of the board of the Girl ScoutCouncil in Southern Illinois andanother six years on the board ofdirectors when her two daughterswere growing up. A charter memberof the Rotary Club in Carterville, shebecame the group’s first womanpresident.

She belongs to PEO Sisterhood,which supports educationalopportunities for women. A formerPTO president, she was active in theAthletic Booster Club when herchildren were in high school.

“It’s all one way to give back forwhat’s been given to you — that’simportant in life,” Susan said.

She and her husband, Tom, arenatives of Carbondale who haveknown each other sincekindergarten. He is president andCEO of St. Genevieve CountyMemorial Hospital in Missouri.

After living in various spots in thecountry, they returned here in 1992and live in Carterville, on propertyin a woods her parents owned.

“We wanted to give the kids somestability,” she said. Son Brian is agraduate of SIU and their daughtersare going to college, Rachel at RendLake and Sarah in St. Louis.

Susan earned a degree inengineering at the University ofIllinois. Her first job was withAmoco, in Tulsa, Okla., and then inChicago. When Tom got a job offer as

vice president of marketing forSylvan in Montgomery, Ala., theymoved there. When the job wastransferred to Columbia, Md., theyrelocated.

That’s when they decided to moveback to the Carbondale area, shesaid, to give their young children achance to go to the same schools andestablish themselves.

At first, the couple owned andoperated two food franchisebusinesses at University Mall, sellingFrench fries and ice cream. ThenTom was offered a job as marketingdirector and assistant CEO at MarionHospital, which became HeartlandRegional Medical Center.

In 2001 Susan accepted a job asexecutive director for Women forHealth and Wellness, which promoteshealth for women, men and teensthrough conferences and otherprograms.

“I really enjoyed that. It was awonderful opportunity for me,” shesaid. “It allowed me to apply a lot ofbusiness skills and get back into acorporate structure andenvironment. It also allowed mesome flexibility with my family.”

In 2004 she was offered the job atGeneral Dynamics, a manufacturerof medium caliber ammunition, andhad a chance to use her abilities asan engineer.

“It awakened the engineering partof me that is my passion. I wasfortunate to get the opportunity withthem.”

When she returned to SouthernIllinois as a young mother, sheremembered who had influencedher as a child.

“I did a personal inventory ofwhat shaped me as a person. GirlScouts gave me courage andconfidence. I wrote my Girl Scoutleader a thank-you note. Irecognized when she met with us

every week it was a gift. It makes theworld a better place.”

So she became a Girl Scout leaderherself, then joined the board.

“We’re all here for each other,”Keim said. “The girls I had in mytroop will always be special to me.We did some wonderful thingstogether.”

She has nothing but praise for herfellow school board members.

“The beauty of this strong board iswe come together to make decisionsand have respect for others ideas andvalues. It’s a collaboration that’s veryprofessional, and we (the schooldistrict) are growing by leaps andbounds.”

The 750-student elementary schoolis now filled, she said, and the newchallenge is to build a bigger highschool.

“The most important thingschildren can get are a good educationand learn values, a work ethic,character. We try to shape the besteducational environment forchildren.”

In addition to being close friends,members of the PEO Sisterhoodfoster education for women.

“That’s something I’ll alwayssupport,” Keim said. “How muchmore important it is today thanever.”

– Debbie Luebke Metro


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DID YOU KNOW?Susan Keim loves pansies.

During her interview, she pickedup a bouquet of the bright littleflowers in a vase on the kitchencounter. “Aren’t they pretty?”she said, smiling. She said sheplanned to plant more outside.

SUSAN

KEIMKEIM


ob Koenegstein believeshis Christian familyupbringing has beeninstrumental in his

long career of helping othersand giving to his community.

Originally from the Sparta area,Koenegstein thanks his small-townupbringing for his strong work ethicand desire to be caring and loving tothose around him. He was a born trackand field star and received a fullscholarship to Southern IllinoisUniversity Carbondale, where hestudied recreational therapy.

“It couldn’t have been a betterupbringing, really,” he said.

Koenegstein graduated from SIUC in

1973 and took his first internship atChester Mental Health Center, thestate’s maximum security forensichospital, which provides a variety ofactivity, therapy and educationprograms for its patients. He mademany friends in Chester andimmediately fell in a love with both thecommunity and his wife, Pat, whoworked at that time in the medicalrecords department.

He developed a strong relationshipwith Chester United Methodist Churchand raised a son and a daughter, whohave grown up to be track and crosscountry stars themselves.

During his 28 years in the statemental health program, Koenegsteinhad the opportunity to work in a fewother facilities, including MenardPsychiatric Center and Anna Mental

Health center. His appreciation forSouthern Illinois grew immensely. He isan avid hiker and canoeist. Layoffprocesses caused Koenegstein to bouncearound between jobs, but he believes hewas able to acquire great experiencebecause of it.

Qualifying for early retirement fromthe state of Illinois, Koenegsteinembarked on several volunteer projects,


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DID YOU KNOW?Bob Koenegstein once

competed in the RAGBRAI, a500-mile cycling race across theentire state of Iowa, hostedannually in July. With 20,000cyclists involved each year, it isthe world’s largest bike race.

KOENEGSTEINKOENEGSTEIN



NINInstall a new geo-thermal heatpump and you may be eligible for a 30 percent tax credit.

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the most prominent being theChristian Food Pantry, whichwas established in May 2007.

The former food pantry,Western Egyptian, had beenforced to consolidate itsChester and Sparta facilities,and officials were verysupportive of the newChester CFP nonprofitcoalition.

“It’s been a real blessing inthe community in that we arerepresented by 21 areachurches and provide food tothose in need in RandolphCounty,” Koenegstein said.

He was elected as directorof the pantry and chair ofthe board, working to securefoods from local grocers andthe USDA. He also gainedassistance from school fooddrives, church donations andvolunteer workers.

“God has been at theforefront of this project,” hesaid. “I would be remiss notto mention that. We’ve beenblessed.”

Koenegstein volunteersfrom 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. everyMonday and Wednesday at

the pantry, where he orders,stocks and distributes foodfor the needy. The pantry alsooffers educational programs,which instructs clients in avariety of areas, includinghow to prepare food andpresent themselves duringjob interviews. The pantryworks with ChesterMemorial Hospital, ChesterPublic Aid Office and theUniversity of IllinoisExtension Center to offerthese educational seminars.Koenegstein hopes theseprograms will continue todevelop and expand.

The pantry’s client basehas grown from an average of78 families per month in 2007to more than 200 families permonth in 2008 and 2009, anincrease partially attributedto the nation’s economichardships. Because of thegrowing generosity in thechurches, the pantry hasnever run out of food and hasalways been able to serve thefamilies coming through itsdoors. Other private food andmonetary donations play a

role in fortifying the foodsupply, as well.

“It’s helped me develop aphilosophy that we’ve beenblessed and should be able toprovide for those in need,”Koenegstein said.

With retirement,Koenegstein also has hadtime to serve on the schoolboard for District 149. Heserved on the school boardfor four years and coachedgirls and boys high schooldistance running.

“The most exciting partabout coaching high schoolathletes in track and field isthat they don’t have to bethere,” he said. “They comeout for a sport that is fairlyrigorous, even though theyhave a multitude ofdiversions. They show upevery day, and work hard tocompete, and I am inspiredby that.”

Koenegstein was involvedin the process of building anew all-weather track atChester High School, whichhas been the site ofnumerous invitational and

sectional state track meets.He believes that strongcommunity involvement anda committed volunteer basehelped make the larger meetsa huge success for Chesterand local fundraisers.

Something elseKoenegstein is grateful to bea part of is co-teaching aSunday School class for thepast 12 years or so. He enjoysbeing able to share God’s lovewith the youth.

Koenegstein also hasworked under Marc Kiehna,the regional superintendentof education, in a substanceabuse prevention program inRandolph County schools.

When he has free time,Koenegstein enjoys troutfishing, cycling andcanoeing. At one time, healso had a great passion forphotography and placed highin a few national photocontests.

Along with his familyupbringing, Koenegsteincredits most of his

SEE KOENEGSTEIN / PAGE 38


“I’m a connector,” she said.“I am always connecting onething to another. I oftenhappen to be in a position toput people together and helpthem out.”

Throughout the years, she’sdiscovered a number of waysto help people. A formerconsumer education teacherat Marion High School, sheworked with student councilleaders for more than 20years. After retiring fromteaching, she realized it washer turn to lead throughvolunteerism.

“It started with the MarionLioness Club, plus I’ve alwaysbeen active in my church,Community of Christ inMarion,” she said.

Eventually, she begandirecting the church’sfurniture giveaway program,connecting people withsurplus household items withthose who need furnishings.


he phone atHarlean“Tickie” Miller’shome in Marion

rings often. Like analarm at the firestation, the calls oftenlead Miller to springinto action to helpsomeone out of a bind.

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MILLERMILLERHARLEAN

Telephone calls come fromresidents who know ofsomeone with extrafurniture, and Miller makesarrangements for the items tobe picked up and stored.Additional calls come frompeople who know others inneed of some help. Otherdays, she works to distributedonated items.

“Every Thursday, we havepeople come to our churchwith a card from the MarionMinisterial Alliancedescribing their needs. Wetry to give them the furnitureor household items theyneed,” she explained. “Wespend the rest of the weektrying to collect all thisfurniture from thecommunity. It’s a very busy,ongoing program.”

Miller talked about helpinga family so that a sick childcould have her own bed.

“When someone comes inand you can give them amattress to get them off ofthe floor, that’s rewarding. Ithink that is the type of thingGod wants us to do,” she said.“I see such a need for thefurniture program. I think itis so important, even thoughit is so time-consuming.”

Her concern for helpingothers led to a spot onMarion Memorial HealthFoundation, now affiliatedwith Heartland RegionalMedical Center. The group

raises funds to offerscholarships for areastudents pursuing health-related careers.

Miller also received a callto explore the need for amedical clinic for residentswithout insurance. Milleranswered by first serving aschairperson of the group,then as a founder of Hands ofHope Family Clinic, a free

health care provider, opentwo days a week in Marion.

“I really like thisorganization,” she said. “Ithink it fills a real void inour community.”

Miller said her workwith the furniture program,the medical foundationand the clinic allcomplement one another,and that is by design.



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“I don’t like to do anythingunless I think it contributesto the community,” she said.“I feel like what I’m doing allgoes together; it all goes inone direction.”

Miller continues to lookfor ways to connectorganizations and people,often talking through newefforts and concepts withCharlie, a civil engineer

who has been her husbandfor 50 years.

“I think of lots ofthings to do. I’m alwaysthinking of ideas,” shesaid. “I think, ‘What ifwe did this?’ or ‘What ifwe did that?’Sometimes the ideasare good, andsometimes they’re not,but I’m always having

ideas.”So far, many people have

benefited from Miller’s ideasand efforts, especially thosewho have receivedscholarships or freefurniture and medical care.For her, it’s just aboutanswering a call.

“I enjoy life,” she said. “Ijust feel so fortunate thatthis is what I can do.”

– Les O’Dell

DID YOU KNOW?Harlean Miller’s nickname,

Tickie, was given to her by herfather when she was aninfant. “He didn’t think anyonewould ever call me that, buteveryone still does,” she said.



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MIZELLMIZELLLARRY

arry Mizell’s career has brought him to the top of theIllinois Department of Corrections’ executive structure tothe service of the disabled, and yet he still has dreams forhis community. “I hope that the day I die I’ll still be

looking forward,” Mizell said.

LLBorn and raised in southernmost

Illinois, Larry Mizell graduated fromVienna High School and attendedMurray State University in Murray,Ky. There he received bachelor’sdegrees in psychology and physicaleducation, followed by a master’sdegree in guidance counseling. Hemarried his high school sweetheart,Barbara, in 1970, and a year later beganhis career in IDOC at ViennaCorrectional Center, working in thepersonnel office.

Mizell had considered other careers,such as being a state trooper, a coach ora teacher, but his fascination with theprison system kept him interestedenough that, after working at VCC, henever wanted to leave. His dutiesconsisted of coordinating employeeinterviews, managing benefits andoverseeing documentation at the then-minimum security facility.

“I never got bored,” Mizell said.“There was always something goingon.”

By 1979, Mizell had been namedwarden of the entire facility, taking onall executive duties involved with theprison, ranging from its safety andsecurity to its interaction with thecommunity. The center began offeringclasses to inmates, preparing them forjob interviews and teaching them to beresponsible for making their owndecisions.

“I believe we were making adifference in some lives and helpingpeople who wanted to be helped,” hesaid.

In 1981, during the time of a statefuel crisis, Gov. Jim Thompson calledon Mizell to make VCC the first andonly ethanol plant in a prison. The

inmates made alcohol-based fuelproducts to be sold to a company out ofDecatur, and the project earned theWashington, D.C, National FreedomAward. The plant operated for morethan eight years and eventually ceaseddue to changes in the price of gasolineand corn.

Mizell then formed a group calledTREE, an acronym for Tourism,Recreation, Economy and Education,which aimed to improve JohnsonCounty’s attractions and increaseinterest in the area’s living prospects.The group hoped to use prison land tobuild a golf course and a huntingreserve for quail and pheasant hunting.While the plan never completelymaterialized, Mizell believes thegroup’s work led to the construction ofa nearby golf course and huntingreserve not long after.

In 1983, Mizell was one of severallocal businessmen who lobbied theIllinois legislature to bring a mediumsecurity facility to Southern Illinois.Gov. Thompson then establishedShawnee Correctional Center. Mizellwas named the first warden of SCC andoversaw both facilities until 1987, whenhe was named assistant deputy directorof IDOC, a position that controlled all12 Southern Illinois correctionalcenters.

Mizell’s executive power peaked in1991, when Gov. Jim Edgar appointedhim to chief deputy director, the No. 2

DID YOU KNOW?Larry Mizell is a die-hard Willie Nelson

fan and already has tickets to see Willieperform May 25 in Paducah.

position in the Illinois correctionalstructure. In this position, he supervisedthe prison industries program, thechaplain’s office, legal services andpersonnel matters for the state’s centraloffice.

He also was chairman of a committeethat established boot camps, detentionalternatives for juveniles, which wereless costly than prisons and had bettersuccess rates. He established DixonSprings Boot Camp, near Vienna, as wellas a work camp near Cave-In-Rock,where inmates could performcommunity service, such as cleaninghighway areas and working on



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construction sites.After retiring from IDOC in 2000,

Mizell accepted the position ofexecutive director for a non-profitagency in Vienna, Family CounselingCenter, Inc., which provides residentialservices to developmentally disabledindividuals in Johnson, Hardin andPope counties. Under Mizell’s direction,the agency has developed The GardenApartments in Vienna, The Cache RiverHouse in Karnak and, most recently,Autumn Ridge Supportive LivingFacility in Vienna.

Partially built by prison inmates,Autumn Ridge opened in 2008. It is

designed for anyone 65 and older whoneeds some kind of assistance, such asmedication reminders or foodpreparation. The facility has 46apartments; about half are filled at thistime.

Mizell’s other community affiliationsinclude memberships in Vienna CivicClub, Johnson County RevitalizationCorporation and the Regional Board ofSchool Trustees. He was one of thefounding directors for SouthernTrustBank, which has facilities in Viennaand Goreville. He also served two yearson the Human Rights Guardianship andAdvocacy Committee.

“If I succeeded in any way, it’sbecause of the people who helped me,”Mizell said.

Mizell remembered an abnormalpsychology final exam at MSU. Theexam required only that he state hisphilosophy on life in 50 words or less.He does not remember the exact wordshe chose, but he said it went somethinglike this:

“Life is a process of change and alearning experience. How we adapt toor affect that change determines ourfuture.”

– Thomas Barker


nyone whohas spent timein or aroundMurphysboro

probably has noticed awoman wateringplants on WalnutStreet, pulling weedsat Smysor Plaza orsweeping the walk infront of LibertyTheater. She’s Lois(Tripp) Murphy.

In 1948, Murphy leftPomona for Murphysboro,looking for a job and a newfuture. A short time later,she landed her first job atRay Mar restaurant.

“When you worked at theRay Mar, you met a lot ofpeople. It was the gatheringplace for town, civicorganizations and familiesalike,” Murphy said.

While working at therestaurant, she met herhusband, Bill Murphy. Afterabout a year of courtship,they married.

In a short time, Murphydecided Murphysboro was agood place to raise a family.

“Virtually everything youneeded was right here intown,” she said.

While she and herhusband raised 11 children,Murphy became heavilyinvolved with city, schooland church activities.

During the 18 yearsMurphy worked for J.C.Penney, she always found

time to devote to herfamily and remaininvolved with communityactivities. When speakingwith Murphy about hermany involvements withthe city of Murphysboro,one gets the impressionthat she thinks it is no bigdeal.

Murphy is president ofMurphysboro Main Street,a board member forMurphysboro Chamber ofCommerce and a member ofthe Apple Festivalcommittee. She organizedand works withMurphysboro’s FarmersMarket, regularly attendscity council meetings andtakes care of bookings forLiberty Theater.

Many people inMurphysboro call her theultimate volunteer. Wheredoes she find the time?

“When you raise 11children, you develop aregimen,” Murphy said. “Iget up and do myhousework, head to town tosee people. There are onlyso many hours in whichyou can do housework. Ihave always been energetic.I do see how I am slowingdown, but there are things Istill want to do for thecommunity.”

Murphy would like to seeimprovements made toWalnut Street and, at thesame time, inspire people tovolunteer.

“We don’t want to changethe town,” she said. “Wejust want the town tofunction better and keep its

historic look.”Mayor Ron Williams

described Murphy as a“sparkplug” and a leader intown maintenance.

“It is not unusual to justsee her walking WalnutStreet to see how things arebeing kept.

It is really hard to putinto words all she has doneand is doing. She has beenwith Murphysboro MainStreet since its inception.

If she is not working witha project, she ischeerleading others to dotheir best,” Williams said.

Murphy has passed on toher family a sense ofdedication to civicactivities.

Her son, Bill, is acouncilman; and herdaughter, Kaye, is directorof Murphysboro Chamberof Commerce; her husband,Bill, is actively involvedwith Liberty Theater, alongwith civic and serviceorganizations.

“Living in Murphysboro,Bill and I have a good life,”Murphy said. “I enjoy doingthings for the town. It givesme a sense of giving back tothe community.”

– Chuck Novara


MURPHYMURPHYLOIS

AA DID YOU KNOW?Before working for

J.C. Penney, Lois Murphyoperated a children’s shopabout three years; thebusiness was destroyedin a fire.



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guess it’s justin me to get inand do things,”Louise Ogg said

about her years ofvolunteering topromote the region,particularly Cairo.

Though she lives in thetiny community of Unity,most of her efforts havefocused on preservingCairo’s heritage. Ogg and herlate husband, Russell, wereleaders in the effort to saveCairo Custom House andturn it into a museum. Theyspent literally thousands ofhours tackling the cleanupand preservation.

“We were retired, had thetime and took the project toheart,” Ogg said. Theimposing Custom House,completed in 1872, wasplaced on the NationalRegister of Historic Placesin 1976, but was in horribleshape, she said. “It had beenvacant for years and beforethat was used by the policedepartment as a jail.”

The roof leaked, wallswere a shambles andtermites had attacked thefloors. Teams of volunteerstoiled to repair the damage.

“It took us from 1984 to1992 to get the first flooropen as a museum, with a lotof good efforts fromeverybody,” Ogg said.

She recalled opening day.“We laid carpet on a

Thursday, set up exhibits onFriday, and the Civil WarCollege from PrincetonUniversity came in Saturdayon the Delta Queen,” shesaid. “We’ve had two toursfrom the Smithsonian sincethen, with Civil Warthemes.”

With the first floor open,Custom House volunteersbegan creating otherexhibits and restoring theold courtroom on the topfloor of the building. One ofOgg’s favorite exhibits is arecreated general store with

many items from HodgesStore, which her grandfatherbuilt in 1887.

“I was basically raised atthe store,” she said.

Unity Post Office waslocated there, and when shewas 13, Ogg became a postalclerk. She’s “still very putout” that the U.S. PostalService closed the post office,wiping out the “Unity”address.

“I’m now listed as Tammsand have an Olive Branchphone number,” Ogg said. “Ilive in Unity.”

Unity, she said, has asmuch history as any place inAlexander County. And shehas a full file cabinet toprove it.

When the Hodges storeclosed in 1963, Ogg carriedoff as many items as hermother would allow beforethe inventory was sold atauction.

“I would have taken it allhome if I could have,” shesaid, chuckling.

What she saved is nowdisplayed at Custom House.

“Both my grandmotherswere really into history andkept me interested,” shesaid.

And her 23 years of workat Safford Memorial Libraryin Cairo, another historicbuilding, whetted thatinterest. Ogg worked her wayup to head librarian. Whenshe retired from the library,she increased hercommunity service, focusingon the Custom House.

She continues to volunteerthere. “It’s so great to getfeedback from visitors,” Oggsaid. “It makes itworthwhile.”

Some days, nobody showsup. But other days, groups ofschoolchildren or familiesarrive, eager to learn.

The museum recentlyplayed host to twoEnglishmen who arefascinated with Cairo andare planning a documentaryabout it. Ogg sat down withthem and shared herknowledge.

“I enjoy getting people

interested in history,” shesaid. “And I still like to doresearch. One gentlemancame through and said heused to work as a customofficer and offered to send ushis old uniform.”

Later, he returned with hiswife, who was astonished tosee it on display. He hadn’ttold her he’d donated it.

Ogg spent three yearspreparing for the re-enactment of the Lewis andClark Expedition, workingwith the National ParkService, the Corps ofEngineers and groups of re-enactors. She convincedthem to bring travelingexhibits to Cairo. There werelectures, exhibits, re-enactments anddramatizations. Kiosks,signage and statues remain,explaining Cairo’ssignificance in the explorers’journey west. Partnershipswith Southern IllinoisUniversity Carbondalebrought in other exhibits.

She worked to startAlexander County Tourism“as a way to help the region’seconomy,” she said. Thegroup obtained grants forplayground equipment,

brochures and signs.Ogg’s husband was on the

board of SouthernmostIllinois Tourism Bureau, andshe often accompanied himto meetings as his healthdeclined. She later took hisplace on the board. She alsoserves on the Ohio RiverScenic Byway board, whichhas marked scenic routesand attractions in the area,including Lewis and Clarksites.

A member of Church ofthe Redeemer, Ogg said thehistoric church is built ofstone from Giant City. “It’s abeautiful building,” she said.

She has given talks onCairo history at the church’sParish House.

Ogg said “tearing oldthings down” is against hernature, and “it just makesshivers go up and down yourback” to see historicbuildings demolished.

Though she’s volunteeredfar and wide, Ogg said themost satisfying thing she’sdone on a personal level wasserving as a 4-H leader whenher daughter, Jana, wasyoung.


OGGOGGLOUISE

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DID YOU KNOW?“Not too many people know I collect mice,” Louise Ogg

confessed. “Not the real ones,” she hastened to add.Also, most people don’t know that Ogg “really and truly” likes

to write. She still writes letters in longhand.Ironically, the woman who has done so much to preserve and

promote the history of Alexander County was born in IronMountain, Mich. Her father, Bill Planert, a Boy Scout executive,took a job there before she was born.

“I was 4 when the family moved back to Cairo,” Ogg said.Friends also might be surprised to know Ogg recently became

a DAR member, though she said she’s “not a joiner” by nature.Her late husband, Russell, had encouraged her to apply, teasingher that it would look good on her obituary.

SEE OGG / PAGE 38


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SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL 33

arl Planinc ofCarterville alwayswanted to be a pilot.At 16, he saved up 75

cents — that was a lot ofmoney in 1935 — to take tothe skies over Marion in aflight with area pilot FredValentin. Neither manrealized one simple sight-seeing flight would foreverlink them together.

From take-off, Planinc washooked on aviation. When WorldWar II began, he saw the conflict ashis chance to become a pilothimself, and he applied to air cadettraining. But, he couldn’t see thenumbers hidden among the dots onthe military’s chart testing for colorblindness.

“I passed the physical test withease, and they told me I did reallywell on the mental test, too,” hesaid. “I thought I was going to getin. Pretty soon, they called myname and told me I was disqualifiedbecause I didn’t pass the colorchart. I thought the world had fallenin on me.”

Forced to abandon his dream offlight, Planinc turned to anotherform of military transport.

“I tried to be a pilot, but theywouldn’t let me. I wound up drivinga tank instead of flying a plane,” hesaid.

After the war and graduationfrom Southern Illinois University,he took a job teaching sixth gradein Cobden.

“My first year in teaching waswith 46 students,” he recalled. “Ialso taught eighth-grademathematics, art, girls’ P.E. andeverything else.”

A year later, he returned tohis hometown of JohnstonCity, first to teach high schoolEnglish, then to serve asprincipal and latersuperintendent. He said helearned a great deal by beingin front of classes.

“My first class of teaching taughtme more than all of my educationalclasses in college,” he said. “What Ilearned from teaching was to treatevery person as an individual andto try to help him or her all that youcan.”

Planinc later helped launch a newform of education throughemployment with WSIU-TV.

“I helped put the TV station onthe air, and I was in charge of allthe daytime programming onchannel 8,” he said. “We hadprograms on the air and we sentprograms out to all of the areaschools to use as educational films.There were about 35,000 studentsusing our programming throughoutthe day.”

After earning a doctorate atIndiana University, he returned toSIUC to teach in the College ofEducation. Through it all, his loveof aviation never waned.

In 1959, Williamson County JudgeJohn H. Clayton, knowing ofPlaninc’s interest in flight,appointed him as a member of theboard overseeing the county’sairport, the airport Valentinhimself is credited withestablishing. It’s a position thatPlaninc has held ever since, withjust a few interruptions.

“Even though it’s a politicalappointment, both parties haverealized that I have a background inaviation and know all of the peoplewith the Federal AviationAdministration, so they keep me onthe board,” he said.

Planinc’s term on the board has

become a sort of second career forhim. He’s served as chairman forthe past 20 years, and even now, atthe age of 89, serves as dean of theIllinois Public AirportsAssociation’s Board ofCommissioners School. He teachesan annual course for newlyappointed board membersthroughout the state.

He was involved in changing thename of the airport from theoriginal Macarin (a combination ofMarion, Carterville and Herrin) toWilliamson County Airport, and helater suggested adding “Regional”to the name.

“We’re serving all of the region,so we decided to call it theWilliamson County RegionalAirport,” he said.

Under his watch, the airport hasexpanded both the terminal andparking lot, all while staying onbudget.

“I try to make board membersunderstand that we have to befiscally responsible,” Planinc said.

To him, this that means airportboard members, who are politicalappointees, must leave their politicson the tarmac.

“I ask them to honestly makeeach decision as to what theybelieve is best for the airport,” hesaid.

During the last 40-plus years, oneof the things that have been best forthe airport has been Planinc — allthanks to a 75-cent airplane rideand a failed vision test.

– Les O’Dell

PLANINCPLANINCDR. CARL

CC DID YOU KNOW?Carl Planinc and his wife, Virginia, have

been married 67 years. The key to theirlongevity? “I listen to her, and she listensto me,” he said.

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ROEROEDR. BILL

ill Roe isn’t one tobrag about hisaccomplishments.In fact, he gets awfully

uncomfortable just mentioningthe good he has done, let alonereceiving awards and publicrecognition. Nonetheless, hehas done much for hiscommunity and has had plentyof people tell him so.

Born and raised in Pinckneyville, Roegraduated from Pinckneyville CommunityHigh School and attended WashingtonUniversity for three years. He thentransferred to Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale and graduated with a degreein zoology.

In 1966, he married his wife, Mary, whograduated at the top of her class fromSIUC in 1964.

Shortly after, he was drafted into theU.S. Army, and, already having a collegedegree, was encouraged to become anofficer. Given the survival rate of secondlieutenants at the time, he tried instead toget a job at Walter Reed Army Institute ofResearch in Washington, D.C., and wasawarded the position for his two years ofservice.

Leaving the Army, he returned toeducation, attending University of Illinoisat Chicago for his degree in dentistry andopened a practice with Dr. H.H. Chapmanin Pinckneyville in 1972.

While he was in dental school, Roe andhis wife had their first son. It was themorning of a very important exam. Thechild was born around 8, and the test wasat 8:30. Test takers were immediatelyfailed if they spoke or even looked upfrom their papers, so, upon entering theroom, Roe went to the chalkboard andwrote “It’s a boy” in large letters, arousingthunderous applause from the students.

The Roes had their first daughter during

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his senior year and another later inPinckneyville. They have sevengrandchildren, with more hopefullyon the way.

Roe is still a practicing dentist andafraid of retirement, only because hedoesn’t want to lose the relationshipshe has formed with all of his patients.He hopes to maintain his good healthso he can continue to be involved.

“I believe you have to have apassion in life, a reason to get up inthe morning,” Roe said.

Roe has served as a school boardmember and was instrumental in

acquiring the Rend Lake Murphy-Wall Satellite Campus inPinckneyville. He has also been activeon the Rend Lake College Board.

“It’s been a very strong asset andhas afforded great education for ourstudents,” Roe said.

Roe played a role in the OptimistGift Program, a program that givespresents to needy children in thecommunity. Once, a mother presentedRoe with a $500 check, thanking himfor helping her family when they“had no Christmas.”

“It’s amazing what a difference



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a small amount of help canmake,” he said.

Roe is a Sunday Schoolteacher at the Methodistchurch and a member of thechamber of commerce,Murphy-Wall State BankBoard and PinckneyvilleHospital Board.

He and his wife werenamed Pinckneyville Co-Citizens of the Year in 2005and honored during theHalloween parade.

What he considers themost delightful thing he hasever done is spending timewith his grandchildren.When his daughter and herhusband, who were living in

St. Louis, needed ababysitter, Roe offered totake care of theirchildren everyWednesday, traveling upto the city and making aday of it. “I honestlybelieve life’s a gift, and we

are meant to share it withothers,” he said.

In his free time, Roe enjoysgoing to the strip mineproperty his father-in-lawpurchased in the 1950s.

There is a small cabin on theproperty, and it’s a goodplace to fish. Roe said heplans to take up golf if hegets old enough.

Even though Roe doesn’tlike to be praised and hatesbeing put in the limelight,those who know himconsider him a model citizenand a valuable asset to thePinckneyville community.

– Thomas Barker

DID YOU KNOW?Bill Roe and wife, Mary, spend

three Wednesdays out of fourtraveling to St. Louis to spendthe day with their grandchildren.


cheduling forMarlene Simpson isa complexundertaking.First, empty blocks

and hours are rare becauseof her duties as Herrin cityclerk and a number ofvolunteer roles andresponsibilities that fill herdays and evenings. Second,she has to check and re-check to make certainopenings on one calendarmatch the other schedulersshe also uses.

“My calendar is very full,” shesaid. “In fact, at the office I have adesk calendar and a weeklycalendar, and I also have acalendar out in the front portion ofthe city clerk’s office. I alwayshave to check all three calendars.”

It takes all these agendas totrack everything she does. She’s amember of the board of directorsfor Southern Illinois Healthcare,executive secretary for theRegional Economic DevelopmentCorporation and a member ofHerrin Rotary Club, Chamber ofCommerce, American CancerSociety board and Herrin UnitedWay board. She also volunteers toassist with civic causes and eventsincluding HerrinFesta Italiana.

Simpson inherited a sense ofcivic duty from her parents.Her father, LeRoy, was alongtime funeral director inHerrin, and her mother, Edna,is a former Girl Scout leaderwho was active in her churchand the community’s women’sclub.

“My parents were veryinvolved in the community, soit comes from the way I wasbrought up,” she said. “Once Igot involved with the city, Ijust wanted to become more

involved.”Her involvement

has included workingas a clerk in theHerrin water office, astint as a city councilmember and, since1985, serving as city clerk, recentlyelected for her seventh term. ForSimpson, her hometown is asource of delight.

“I’m very proud of mycommunity. I was born and raisedhere. I went to school here,graduated from here. We raisedour son here. I can’t say enoughabout Herrin. I love it,” she said.“There are so many things wherethe community comes togetherand works as a group. It is unique.When there is a need, people stepup and take care of it.”

Simpson’s sense of pride andcommunity spills out all across theregion.

“I not only am proud of Herrin,but I am proud of our region. It isso good to see all of ourcommunities coming together andworking together like we are,” shesaid.

As Simpson racks involvementin one successful organizationafter another, she often gets askedto assume other duties. Each ofthese invitations is carefullyweighed against her own abilitiesand the potential for thecommunity.

“I’ve always said that if I feltlike I couldn’t do a good job, then Iwouldn’t take on that

responsibility. It’s very importantto me that I do a good job,” shesaid.

“You have to be a verystructured person. A lot of timeson the weekend, I think, OK,Monday morning I have to do this,and I have to be at this meeting.You have to be a structured personto be able to do the duties that youhave committed yourself to do.

“When I was first asked to be onthe Southern Illinois Healthcareboard, I wondered how I was goingto do it. It was one more board toserve on, but at the same time, SIHwas getting ready to do a $20million expansion of HerrinHospital,” Simpson said.

“That got me thinking aboutwhat they were doing for thiscommunity, and I wondered whywould I not want to serve?”

Her desire to serve not only hasbenefited the communities,organizations and people sheserves, but also brings her a senseof fulfillment.

“Each board is unique, each oneis different, but I love everythingthat I do and everything that Ihave been able to do,” she said.“That’s how I feel when I serve.”

– Les O’Dell


SIMPSONSIMPSONMARLENE

SS DID YOU KNOW?When Marlene Simpson doesn’t have a noon

meeting, she often goes home for lunch and to catchup on her favorite soap, “The Bold and the Beautiful.”


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“It’s one of the best thingsI did for her,” she added.“Jana went far in 4-H, as faras she could go, but the othergirls were great, too.”

Many of them keep intouch with Ogg, and she’sproud that one of thembecame a home economicsteacher.

Jana was killed in 1978 inan accident while onvacation in Springfield, twoweeks before her 30thbirthday. The Oggs werevacationing in Idaho at thetime. Losing their only childbrought them closer together

in their grief, she said.“It was good we could work

with each other,” she said, onCustom House and otherprojects. “You get tired, butyou keep going.”

She praised volunteers likeMonica Smith, currentlibrarian at Cairo, for herwork in obtaining grants andmaking contacts.

“As long as Monica Smithis interested in working withyou, you’ll get it done,” Oggsaid.

By preserving the past,they hope to create a brighterfuture for Cairo.

– Linda Rush

accomplishments to his wife,Pat.

“She’s very loving anddedicated to my family and

allows me time and flexibilityto be able to pursue theactivity I have pursued,” hesaid.

– Thomas Barker

Association, an organizationthat protects pensions andliving conditions for morethan 33,000 retired teachersthroughout the state.

Even with all the volunteerwork she does, Heaton stilltries to find time to helppeople in need. She likes tobase her goals in life on aShaker verse she oncediscovered: “Do all the goodyou can, in all the ways youcan, to all the people you can,in every place you can, aslong as ever you can.”

Longtime friend and next-

door neighbor Pat Bauer hasmany good things to sayabout Heaton.

“She is a very intelligent,thoughtful person,” Bauersaid. “When she choosessomething to get involvedwith, she gives it her all.”

As driven as she is to helpthose around her, Heaton willnever give up her passion forgood books and the effectsthey have on young minds.

“When you’re reading, youcan picture in your mindwhat a scene looks like,” shesaid. “It’s a very broadeningthing.”

– Thomas Barker

enhance the well being ofresidents in the eight-stateregion. She proudlyproduced a booklet toutingher team’s effort, “DeltaHealthwise,” an initiative foremployers to help workersdevelop better lifestylechoices.

The day she wasinterviewed, she’d just gottenback from Edwardsville,where she accepted an awardfor Southeastern College for

a community project, achildren’s health fair thatemphasized wise choices.The day’s speaker was ajudge who had heartbreakingstories of kids caught in thecourt system. After hearingstories like that, Hamptonsaid, “When you think youhave nothing left to give, yougo on. I don’t need stuff formy resume. This is where Ihope to be for the rest of mycareer.”

– Linda Rush

every office. The committee isexamining options thatinvolve adding onto thebuilding or constructing anew courthouse altogether.

Denny also helped startUnion County Women inBusiness, an organizationwhich provides networkingamong its members andgrants scholarships to eighthigh school students fromfour schools. Theorganization covers fivecounties and helps womenstart their own businessesthrough the Small BusinessDevelopment Center at

Shawnee Community College.In his free time, Denny

likes to fish, hunt and golf. Healso enjoys cooking andbarbecues.

Denny still gets referralsfrom the SBDC at ShawneeCommunity College andenjoys helping people withtheir businesses. He is alwayswilling to help people.

“They come to me because Ihave a lot of experience, and Ican tell people where theyneed to go,” he said. “Youreally get a good feeling whenyou help someone get intobusiness.”

– Thomas Barker


Congratulations!We Wish to CongratulateMarlene Simpsonbeing nameda 2009Leader Among Us.

Thank You for Your Contributions to Herrin!

DENNYFROM PAGE 11

HAMPTONFROM PAGE 12

HEATONFROM PAGE 15KOENEGSTEIN

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PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 70

CARBONDALE, IL


leaders among us 2009

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