MT. VERNON — Not only was there a record number of nominees for the Jefferson County Senior Saints Hall of Fame, but a record number of inductees announced this year, coming in at 14.

“We had a couple of ties this year, so we have 14 Senior Saints instead of 12,” explained Senior Saint Committee member David Keen.

Nominees are chosen for Senior Saint honors by an independent group of judges from outside the area. Judges give points to each nominee based on letters of nomination. Those with the highest scores are chosen for Senior Saint honors.

“This year we had more nominees than we’ve ever had,” committee member Jerry McCracken said. “I’m sure the judges were overwhelmed.”

Recipients will be honored at the Senior Saint Banquet, scheduled for Sept. 30 at the Holiday Inn.

The 2011 Senior Saints are:

• Joyce Bardo — Described as the most outgoing member of Crossroads Hospital Senior Circle, Bardo participates in Relay for Life events for both Crossroads and St. Mary’s Good Samaritan hospitals. Her son is a cancer survivor who lives in Sparta, and she also volunteers at the Sparta relay. She is a board member of Crime Stoppers and volunteers at a local food bank. “She has a positive attitude about everything in her life and treats every person with a caring attitude, encouraging people to be the best that they can be,” information on Bardo states. “Her smile and personality is contagious and is the kind of person that exemplifies being a Senior Saint.”
• Sharon Bradford — Bradford is a member of Central Christian Church, a gifted committed servant, a volunteer and a positive influence on the community. She volunteers for the Red Cross, works with the VA hospital and helps transport children to Shriners Children’s Hospital. “Since she has many physical problems like cancer that prevent her from doing much activity, she still remains positive and supportive of others,” information states. “Her family, husband, kids and grandkids are blessed by her involvement in their lives.”
• Merle Fullerton — Described as always pleasant, always kind and always caring, Fullerton’s actions speak plain and true of his love of God. He has a radio ministry and Sunday morning song service, The Old Time Gospel Singing and The Baptist Voice. He recently rose to the immediate need of Park Avenue Baptist Church as a co-interim pastor. “His Godly wisdom and faith is a comforting force,” information states. “Merle Fullerton shows great love for his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He served in the military and loves his country, but most of all, he loves and serves his Lord.”
• Magdalena “Lydia” Gowler — The nomination for Gowler stated she meets all the qualifications in the dictionary for “Saint” — extraordinary, charitable, patient and self-denying. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader while her children were in school, and after her older children were married and younger children in high school, she began working at Opdyke-Belle Rive Grade School as a teacher’s aide until she retired. She helped establish the public library in Belle Rive, and worked at the library several evenings a week. She was a poll judge for many years for Pendleton Township.
• William “Zach” Greenwell — A lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Greenwell taught physical education and math at Casey Middle School for more than 32 years. His legendary coaching career as head basketball coach at Casey include winning 59 games in a row and four state championships. After retirement, he became a physical education and math teacher at St. Mary Catholic School, also taking on the role of athletic director. He has organized the Health and Wellness Fair at the school to promote overall student safety. “Mr. Greenwell donated his time painting the school hallways and restrooms and volunteered his time supervising in the cafeteria during lunch shifts,” information states. “As a lifelong member and past president of the Mt. Vernon Elks Association, he helped to establish the Flag Detail...and is active in the Elks High School Scholarship program which recognizes outstanding high school seniors annually. He helped oversee the Elks Youth Free Throw Contest for many years. William’s greatest attribute is his willingness to give back to others as a mentor.”
• Hazel Heckler — The biggest part of Heckler’s life has been spent as a community servant. She and her husband Walt were house parents working through the Illini Christian Children’s Home. She taught Sunday school and Youth Group classes at Boyd Christian Church. She has been involved with the Jefferson County Extension Service and served in offices for her unit and at the county level, and embroidered the quilt block for the fall extension fundraiser. “Hazel has always been willing to help at Rome Grade School,” information states. “She taught numerous Bible studies at local nursing homes, as well as at the adult day care center in town. Mrs. Heckler is over the prayer team at church and is responsible for getting the prayer chain going when someone calls her. Hazel has health problems now, but still maintains a positive attitude and is always ready to cheer up others.”
• John Hicks — A retired school teacher, Hicks is a member of First United Methodist Church, serving in the choir and as a member of the Pioneers Club. He taught Alternative School in the summer and is an active member of the Jefferson County Historical Society. He is involved with the First United Methodist Church Angels on Assignment ministry and serves as chairman of the food pantry. He works part-time for Byrd Watson Pharmacy, delivering medicine to those who can’t come to the pharmacy. He also teaches summer classes at Rend Lake College. “The title, Senior Saint, is certainly befitting for John Hicks, a man who works tirelessly for his church, his community and his family,” information states.
• Richard “Dick” Jones — When Jones was diagnosed with diabetes several years ago, it altered his life and that of his family. He turned the diagnosis into a way to serve the community by raising funds for the American Diabetes Association. He is a past exalted ruler of Elks Lodge 819, involved with the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival and is now involved with the Southern Illinois Harvest Festival. “He strives to see the positive in things rather than dwell on the negative,” information states.
• Virgie Moore — Moore works as a Help at Home as a home care worker. She is a member of the Jefferson County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Persons, the Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, and a member of the fellowship of Ushers and the Sisters in Christ Women’s Ministry. “She ministers to the need of the less fortunate by volunteering time and donating clothing to local service ministries,” information states. “Ms. Virgie Moore is a widow and was a caretaker of a special needs child. In Ms. Moore’s family, she is known as the ‘head caretaker,’ so when a member of the family falls ill, she is there around the clock. She is truly a virtuous woman.”
• Jean Martin Rettig — Jean Martin is a member of St. Mary Church and a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital. He was a Cub Scout den master, active in Indian Guides, Knights of Columbus, Good Samaritan Auxiliary, Hospice of the Good Samaritan, Meals on Wheels, Soup Kitchen, Project Excel and the Lifeboat Alliance. Rettig served two terms on Old Union School Board, has been involved with City Wide Cleanup and was secretary of the YMCA. “He could charm the bark off a tree and has never seen a stranger,” information states. He and his wife, Mary Patricia Rettig, are both being inducted into the Senior Saints class of 2011.
• Mary Patricia Rettig — Mary Patricia is a charter member of the Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary, where she works in the gift shop. She has served two terms as an auxiliary board member, and been vice president and president. She has been elected as chairman of the constituency on volunteers steering committee for the Illinois Hospital Association. She is a Hospice volunteer for the Hospice of the Good Samaritan. Rettig was  Cub Scout den mother, a Girl Scout leader, president of the PTO and taught religion classes to Catholic students that were enrolled in public schools. She was also on the board of the American Cancer Society. “As a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, she served two terms on the church finance committee, belonged to the Ladies Altar Sodality, an active member in the Renew program, and is a Eucharistic Minister at the church,” information states. “She worked as a reading tutor and librarian at Buford and Lincoln School. Mary Patricia exhibits unconditional love.”
• Marion Whitlock — Whitlock has held office in the Rams Music Booster Club and participated in many MS Walks and served on the MS Walk Committee. She teaches an adult Sunday school class at Park Avenue Baptist Church. She and her husband have owned and operated two businesses in Mt. Vernon, Karpet Corner and Office Furniture Warehouse. “They have employed several with criminal backgrounds or physical disabilities in order to give them a chance in life,” information states. “She has also sent care packages to soldiers. Marion is ... a Silent Senior Saint. She helps anyone, any age, in a very quiet manner without fanfare.”
• Sherry Williams — Active in the Delta Theta Tau sorority, Williams works on such programs as Coats for Kids, Breakfast with Santa, the community Easter Egg Hunt, and the Christmas Giving Tree. She played an important role in establishing the Chapman Sports Complex in Woodlawn and scholarships for high school seniors. She is playing a key role in establishing Woodlawn Gold Rush Days. “Her priorities are church, family and community,” information states. “She is hands-on in all three of these. Her ability to embrace others is natural and she can find a solution to any problem a person or family may have.”