Senior Saints inductees announced

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The 2009 Senior Saints Hall of Fame inductees have been announced.

“One thing I have learned from working with Senior Saints is that people my age have some big, big shoes to fill,” Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brandon Bullard said. “When I was reading some of the letters and [biographies], all I could think was that I don’t know of anybody around my age that are this active. We have a lot of work to do.”

The Senior Saints Hall of Fame is a join effort between the city, county and JCCC to honor those in the community who have demonstrated community service; exemplify the ability to embrace change; and have taken action in response to adversity, their own or others. Each nomination is accompanied by three letters of recommendation, and all the information is judged by three people outside of the community.

“We had a great turnout for nominations, with over 20 people nominated,” Bullard said. “Like each year, it was a tough decision because there were so many people who fit the criteria.”

Inductees this year are:

Lillie Arnett — “When asked to do a task, saying no was never an option,” information from her nomination stated. “She was on the Dixico Ruritan Club, a trustee for Field Township, first woman county clerk and recorder for Jefferson County and worked at the King City Saddle Club. Lillie is a person of nobility, honesty and integrity. She has volunteered for veterans groups, Relay for Life and several church activities.”

Don Bigham — “Don is currently chairman of the board for the American Red Cross. He is a North American Mission Board Certified Chaplain, assigned to disaster relief operations and hospitals in the state of Illinois. He serves as a certified chaplain for Crossroads Community Hospital and St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He is a member of Park Avenue Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. Don has served as interim pastor for Campground Baptist Church. He was the founding director and charter member of McKinney Texas Habitat for Humanity, and served six years on its board as president. He has also served on the Habitat board of directors in Jefferson County. He is a retired firefighter, and an EMT instructor, reaching the rank of captain. He is president of the local homeowner’s association for Bradshaw Subdivision, serves on the Mt. Vernon Prayer Breakfast Committee, the Jefferson County Operation Iraqi Freedom Committee and the Jefferson County Senior Saints Committee.”

Pat Davis — “Pat volunteers her time mentoring, supporting and offering unconditional love to children and young adults of Jefferson County through the Kids Hope United Foster Grandparent Program. She offers guidance to young ladies at Angels Cove, helped children of Bethel Grade School with reading, taught 4-H children to crochet and make craft projects. She also volunteers her time through the Senior Circle Stitchers to make blankets and quilts for area children and adults who need comfort.”

Paul and Mary Dickerson — “Mary is a nurse and past president of the Auxiliary at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital and serves on the state board of directors for Illinois Hospital Auxiliaries. She voluntarily prepares taxes for the elderly and is very active in her church. Mary is involved with the Mt. Vernon Business and Professional Women’s Club and was Woman of the Year in the early 1980’s. She also served as a 4-H leader in the mid-1960’s.

“Paul Dickerson retired as an insurance adjuster and purchased the Rend Lake Marina in the late 1970’s and made it a thriving business. He retired again in the late 1980’s. He involved his services on the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and was elected chairman. He currently serves on the Mt. Vernon Airport Authority Board of Commissioners. He was a precinct committeeman, chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Review, was a Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year, past president of Jefferson County Historical Society, past president of Mt. Vernon Jaycees, Mint Program chairman of the Mt. Vernon Lions Club, past president of St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary, past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, Boy Scout Explorer leader, King City Retailer Father of the Year, was on St. Mary’s Finance Council and in the Mt. Vernon Morning Rotary Club. Paul is a retired Navy veteran after serving in World War II.”

Bernie Dickneite — “Bernie currently is president of the Kiwanis Club. He served many years on the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival Committee and did the Biathlon. He also sponsored and arranged the Rend Lake Triathlon. He sponsored a team and rode his bike in the Multiple Sclerosis 150 8-day bike ride for 15 years. He started a team this year with Relay for Life. He is involved with the Tourism Board of Mt. Vernon, the American Red Cross, Crime Stoppers, Jefferson County Operation Iraqi Freedom, Southern Illinois Trail System, City Park Board, works with the Angel Food program and Habitat for Humanity. He is very active in his church by sponsoring a Mission Work Camp for 300 youths and is on the Building and Grounds Committee. Bernie proudly served his country as a Marine.”

Glenn Littrell — “Glenn is also involved with the Kiwanis Club and served as vice president and president. He is chairman of the Rend Lake College Scholarship Committee. He helps out with the bingo games for Nature Trail Nursing Home residents and was chairman of the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Fest. He has been a member of the Mt. Vernon Elks, and an active worker for the Meals on Wheels program.”

Joan Mandrell — “Joan is highly involved with the Jefferson County Operation Iraqi Freedom organization through various fundraisers and placing donation boxes throughout Jefferson County. She is involved with the Delta Theta Tau Sorority and is an active member of the retired rural postal workers. She is an active member of Long Prairie Christian Church, has taught Sunday school and assisted with Vacation Bible School. Joan has been the church’s assistant choir director and was the mission’s treasurer for five years. She cooks meals for the elderly and assists elderly members of the church by taking them to doctor’s appointments and shopping. She has served on the Woodlawn Grade School Board and helped with fund drives of various activities during her children’s school years.”

Pauline Moore — “Before every Memorial Day and Christmas, Pauline decorates about 30 graves at two cemeteries and attends the Memorial Day service at the Jefferson County Courthouse. She is a 40-year member of the VFW, an active member in the AARP and the Sunshine Center. Her belief in a citizen’s right to vote is so strong, that when she was 12-years-old, she drove her older brother’s Model T around the neighborhood picking up people so they could vote. She takes people to medical appointments, even in St. Louis. She brings groceries to shut-ins, assists those unable to drive by taking them out to eat or shopping, and visits friends and relatives in nursing homes.”

Beverly Page — “Beverly is a volunteer at Crossroads Community since 2001, and is a Same Day Surgery Volunteer Liaison. She is currently vice president in the auxiliary and helps with Senior Circle. She is very active in her church by helping with rummage sales, bazaars, pancake breakfasts and more. She is involved in community activities including Relay for Life as a survivor and supporter and has supported various endeavors of the Mt. Vernon Professional Firefighters. She has taught Sunday school and is chairman of her church missionary group.”

Mike Poninski — “Woodlawn ha a dream of having a community volunteer fire department. Mike helped fulfill that dream with community fund raisers. He has been a volunteer for the Woodlawn Fire Department and has served as fire chief for the last 13 years. He has served on the Woodlawn Grade School Board and helped with many school fund raisers. He is a deacon of Woodlawn Christian Church. He makes arrangements for the community spring trash pickup and served on the village board. Mike is a big supporter of fundraising for soldiers and instrumental in helping with the Woodlawn Veterans Memorial. He is known as Uncle Mike to the kids of the community, often talking to them and giving them ‘high fives.’”

Lillian Scott — “Lillian has spent many years volunteering through her church, preparing holiday shut-in bags for church members, even using her own money when allotted funds were not enough. She is a past board member and volunteer with Angels on Assignment. She also worked athletic events at the Mt. Vernon Township High School Athletic Department. Her word is her bond. Last winter, with inches of snow and ice, Lillian, unable to get her car out of the garage, began walking due to a commitment she made for an event.”

Beverly Walker — “Beverly is a past president of the Mt. Vernon Business and Professional Women. She is chairman of Angel Tree ministries, a facilitator of Women on Mission at Park Avenue Baptist Church and has been on several mission trips. She is also on the Stewardship Committee. She is a committee member of Nutrition on Weekends, volunteers at the church’s food pantry and participates in feeding children through the summer feeding program. She is a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Disaster Relief Team. Beverly subs for the Register-News and Sentinel, visits veterans at Marion VA Hospital, volunteers with the women’s team on Habitat for Humanity and participated in the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Fest. She worked with special education students at Mt. Vernon Township High School and in the attendance office.”

The inductees will be honored during a banquet, scheduled for Sept. 25. Those who would like to attend may purchase tickets and make reservations by calling the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce at 242-5725.

Text Only