VOL. 64, NO. 11 USPS 258240 November 2016 50 cents per copySubscription $5.00 per year

Serving in Illinois Since 1838Our 179th Year

THE ILLINOIS ODD FELLOW

GRAND REPRESENTATIVES EMERITUS HONORED AT GRAND LODGEAllen Jones and Lyndall Pigg were honored at Grand Lodge with Plaques and Grand Representative Emeritus Jewels at

Grand Lodge this year.

L-R: Lyndall & Norma Jean Pigg, and Jim Turner, PGM L-R: Audrey & Allen Jones, Eric Smith Grand Master

JOHN MRIZEK HONORED AT GRAND LODGEJohn Mrizek was honored as the Senior PGM, Senior PGP, and for all his years of service first as journal clerk and then as

Assistant Secretary for many many years to the Grand Lodge of Illinois.

Jerald Sarnes and John Mrizek.

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ILLINOIS ODD FELLOW(USPS 258240) is published monthly by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 845 Wyatt Avenue, Lincoln, IL 62656-0248.

DirectorsExecutive CommitteeGrand Lodge of Illinois

P.O. Box 248Lincoln, IL 62656-0248

Web Site: www.ioof-il.org

Second-class postage paid at Lincoln, Illinois and additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS I.O.O.F., P.O. Box 248, Lincoln, Illinois 62656-0248.

Contributions of current news and articles pertaining to the welfare of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows fraternity solicited.

This publication is mailed by the first of the month, publication and contributions must reach the editor by the 10th of the preceding month.

WE DO NOT HOLD OURSELVES RESPON-SIBLE for any news or opinions expressed by the communications of our correspondents, and RESERVE the RIGHT to publish NEWS that WE feel constructive to our Order.

Member ofI.O.O.F. InternationalPress Association

“Promoting Odd Fellowship Through Positive Communication”

ODD FELLOW -REBEKAH HOME

201 Lafayette Ave., Mattoon, Illinois 61938

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYSElsie Syfart 12/02/33Jean Gammill 12/03/20Eva Kious 12/06/29Edna McFarland 12/09/22Wanda Ferguson 12/10/33Mary Harden 12/12/25Elizabeth Tucker 12/14/17Dorothy Rardin 12/19/20Robert Armstrong 12/21/50Elma Moran 12/21/25Marjorie Bennett 12/23/18Willa Ashby 12/24/28Gloria Sampson 12/24/24Lois Robinson 12/25/25Diamond Shunk 12/25/13Mary Hillyard 12/28/27Catherine Ervin 12/31/19Pat Friday 12/31/32

SEND NEWS TO:Grand Lodge of Illinois

Editor Illinois Odd Fellow Paper845 Wyatt Avenue, PO Box 248

Lincoln, IL 62656-0248Phone: 217-735-2561

Fax: 217-735-2562E-mail: grandeditor@frontier.com

families. It's so nice to have everyone together before the busy holidays start to reflect on what we are most thankful for. Everyone looks forward to this cel-ebration not only for the food, but also the good company. We are also starting to prepare for all the fun activities we have to kick off the holiday season.

The residents Christmas workshop will be opening for the residents to pre-pare for their holiday craft/bake sale in December. The residents will sell their goodies and all the proceeds will go to the activity department. I think every-one looks forward to this.

We look forward to another busy month in December. Until next month - take care and be well.

Jenna BlackCommunity Relations Coordinator

NEWS FROM THE HOMEHello from the Home,

We can't bel ieve i t 's a lready November! Time really does fly when you're having fun. We had such a great turnout for our Community Trick or Treat. We are so thankful to be able to do this every year for our community and our residents.

November is always a busy month for us here at the Home. We will be doing our Cops for Kids drive thru lunch again this year and all proceeds will go to help the less fortunate chil-dren in our community enjoy a won-derful Christmas. This also gives the children an opportunity to spend time with our police force to develop good community relationships. We always enjoy our Thanksgiving feast that we have for our residents and their

It’s Our Birthday

Temple Rebekah Lodge No. 789 is celebrating 100 years of Rebekah Odd Fellowship.

You are invited to the Party.

November 14, 2016 6:00 p.m. Dinner

Birthday Party to Follow

Rockford Odd Fellow Temple 6219 Forest Hills Road

Rockford

Come One, Come All Enjoy an evening of Friendship, Love and Truth

R.S.V.P. to Steve Adams, Noble Grand 307-256-4518 or seawyo@yahoo.com

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GRAND MASTER'S MESSAGE

I would like to thank all for your sup-port and help this coming year as we grow and help our lodges.

This month has started of f rough with the lost of my father-in-law on Octorber 13, 2016. I have been remind-ed that family comes first, and that we are a family and will stay very close. My father-in-law was a very special per-son and I would like all that can to go to Baue funeral home web site to read Lucian H. Abernathy Jr. obituary, and you will understand why he was spe-cial.

Now back to business. I would like to thank William Maplesden for going to Indianpolis Grand Lodge for me on the 13th thru 15th.

I would like to thank all who came to Grand Lodge this year and remind those who didn’t get their reports in, to please send them to Grand Lodge.

I would like to remind ever y-one about the Leaders Banquet at the Chateau, 1620 Jumer Dr. in Bloomington, Illinois on 11/05/2016 at 6:00 pm.

Then on 11/12/2016 at Palacky Lodge #630 in Brookfield, Illinois a spe-cial program for John R. Mrizek and Kids R Essential.

Please don’t forget the School of Instruction in Lincoln, Illinois at the Grand Lodge office on 11/19/2016 at 10:00 am. Lunch will be provided. This is for everyone.

Thank You,In Friendship Love and TruthLarry Gean

ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT

I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to serve as your President for the insuring year. I plan to do my best at representing our Rebekah organization.

I would like to extend my best wish-es to all the new heads of the orders. May the coming year bring growth and happiness to our orders.

Let's be a Tiger this year and have some fun while we work. Working hard like the Hummingbird always on the move but taking the time to taste all the flowers. To be like the turtle being ever diligent, but always prepared for get-ting to the finish line.

The Holidays are just around the corner so let us be ever mindful of our neighbors, coworkers, friends and fam-ily. These times are very joyous as we celebrate our savior's birth, but at the same time they are sometimes very lonely for some. Make plans to have a social night at your lodge and invite those that may be alone or just need a night out. Have some fun coming up with games to play or a movie to watch, do something fun!!! Whatever you do please drop me a note and let me know what you did so that I can pass it on to see if other lodges can do the same thing. Always remember that our new members are out there we just have to find them and invite them in. It can all start with just one night or one car load!

Going to lodge or going somewhere for lodge????

Get a Car Load have some fun.....In Friendship, Love & TruthSharon LandryPresident Rebekah Assembly of Illinois

GRAND PATRIARCHI would like to start by thanking all

the patriarchs and matriarchs for the opportunity to be your Grand Patriarch. My father was Grand Patriarch in Kentucky and to continue that legacy is an honor. To all the officers, appoint-ed officers and committee members, thank you for accepting these positions. To the other units in Illinois, congratu-lations to all the elected and appointive officers.

If your encampment or auxiliar y needs assistance or has a question please do not hesitate to contact me and I will try to the best of my ability to help or answer. If I do not know the answer I will find you the answer. I would like to schedule a visitation to your encamp-ment. Please email or call me with a date which would be convenient.

Place the following dates on your calendars: February 25, 2017 will be an Encampment All Degree Day in Sycamore and March 25, 2017 will be the Round Up at Friendship Manor in Lincoln.

Let’s make the Round Up a jurisdic-tional get together, bring family, friends, lodge members, as the encampments and auxiliaries have fund raisers to be donated to Autism. Did you know, the Grand Encampment of Illinois several years ago voted to have Autism as the encampments and auxiliaries fund rais-ing program each year? Do you know someone who has autism, or has a fam-ily member with autism? What better way to provide assistance than to have a day of celebration and fund raising.

My fund raiser this year is a hand crafted stained glass and lighted shad-ow box of the 3 links. As I travel the state, I will have the shadow box and lots of tickets to sell with me.

I would like to thank my fam-ily for their behind the scenes assis-tance. My wife Janet has been doing the little things to make my year suc-cessful and step son Steve made all the table decorations for the installa-tion banquet, hours and hours of sand-ing and painting, thank you so much. Granddaughter Sammie provides her artistic flair and puts together posters for events.

Ask a lodge member to join the encampment or auxiliary. Our num-bers are declining at an alarming pace. If we are not careful, the encampment branch of our Order will be no longer! Do not let it happen in Illinois.

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MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR EMILY ROSE PERRIN

A Memorial Service for Emily Rose Perrin was held in the Dupo, IL park on Saturday, October 15, 2016.

Pictured left to right are Richard Bright, Grand Master Larry Gean, Noble Grand Willey #2 St. Louis Gio Mangiore, Past Grand Jasper Mangiore, Noble Grand Victor Carroll Mississippi Valley 1009 and Carolyn Goshen Dupo Lions Club.

CENTURY LODGE #492

Noble Grand Aaron Rowland presented Brother Joe Incapreo with his 15 yr. Pin during their lodge meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8th.

During the Thursday, Sept. 22nd meeting of Century Lodge #492 Noble Grand Aaron Rowland presented Brother Jim Lamanna with his 15 yr. Pin.

Noble Grand Aaron Rowland presents Brother Guy Rossi with his 10 yr. Pin.

ALLEN JONES LEAVES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Allen Jones decided it was time to slow down after 17 years of service to the Executive Committee as Sovereign Grand Lodge Representative. It has been a labor of Love. He will miss it and said that he was still willing to do anything to help. They presented him with a cake and well wishes.

Audrey and Allen Jones at Executive meeting in Lincoln, IL.

JOHN R. MRIZEK OPEN HOUSESeptember 28, 2016Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Great State of Illinois,

Over the last half century, many of you have come to know my father, PGM, PGP, GRE John R. Mrizek. He has served our Order faithfully for over 60 years, with a great desire and passion for the ideals and principles of Odd Fellowship.

Palacky Lodge #630 would like to honor him with a special open house on November 12, 2016 at Palacky Lodge Odd Fellow Hall in Brookfield, IL. All Brothers and Sisters are cor-dially invited to help us celebrate his service.

Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. followed by a short pro-gram to honor John R. Mrizek for his work to Palacky Lodge and to Odd Fellowship.

We also will be announcing the beginning of a new program sponsored by Palacky Lodge in John Mrizek’s honor called, “John R. Mrizek Kids R Essential Program”. This new initia-tive will coordinate with local public schools to provide school supplies, winter wear, and holiday dinners to kids and families in need. The lodge felt there was no better way to honor the man who has been so dedicated to Odd Fellowship than beginning a program that would carry on one of the major principles of our Order of “Relieving the Distress.”

There is no cost to attend the open house, but we definitely would like a count to make sure there will have enough food for all guests. The lodge will gladly accept donations for the John R. Mrizek Kids R Essential Program to kick start the campaign.

Please kindly consider a donation in John R. Mrizek’s honor for the program by filling out the enclosed flier and return-ing it with a check to Palacky Lodge #630; 9234 Broadway, Brookfield, IL 60513.

If you would like to attend John R. Mrizek’s Open House please RSVP through the attached flier.

Thank you for your support and fellowship.In F.L.T.,Sincerely,Steve Mrizek, PG, Palacky Lodge #630

NILES REAMER RECEIVING THE DECLARATION OF CHIVALRY

Palacky Lodge No. 630

Invites You to Attend an Open House Honoring

John R. Mrizek on Saturday, November 12th, 2016 at the

Palacky Odd Fellow Hall – 9234 Broadway Ave, Brookfield, Illinois

Dinner will be provided at 5:30 p.m. with a program to follow honoring his work and the unveiling of the ‘John R. Mrizek Kids R Essential Program’

to help kids in need. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Send stories, comments, remembrances’ to Steve below: PLEASE RSVP to Steve Mrizek by Saturday, November 5th by email, phone or mail:

Steve Mrizek

1510 Stratford Dr. Beloit, WI 53511 Phone: 815-262-4558

Email: mrizeks@rps205.com

With your RSVP, please provide the following information. John R. Mrizek Open House R.S.V.P.

Name: Number of Guests:

Phone Number: Email Address:

The John R. Mrizek

KIDS R ESSENTIALPROGRAM

Sponsored By Palacky Odd Fellow Lodge #630

Helping kids to DREAM big by providing the essentials.

Providing School Supplies, Winter Wear, and Holiday Dinnersto Kids in our Community

Name (Lodge):________________________Email:_________________________

Address:_______________________________________

City:_________________ St:____ Zip:_____ Phone #:__________________

Amount of Donation:_______________________________

Make checks payable to: Palacky Lodge #630 –memo: Kids R Essential ProgramReturn To: Palacky Lodge #630; 9234 Broadway, Brookfield, IL 60513

The John R. Mrizek

KIDS R ESSENTIALPROGRAM

Sponsored By Palacky Odd Fellow Lodge #630

Helping kids to DREAM big by providing the essentials.

Providing School Supplies, Winter Wear, and Holiday Dinnersto Kids in our Community

Name (Lodge):________________________Email:_________________________

Address:_______________________________________

City:_________________ St:____ Zip:_____ Phone #:__________________

Amount of Donation:_______________________________

Make checks payable to: Palacky Lodge #630 –memo: Kids R Essential ProgramReturn To: Palacky Lodge #630; 9234 Broadway, Brookfield, IL 60513

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BIG BUDDY ZOO TRIP

A Big Buddy youth day was held on Sunday, October 16 with a trip to the Peoria Zoo. Don Schieferdecker and Thursa Edwards set the trip up and 19 youth along with 9 adults left the Odd Fellows Lodge at 9:50 a.m. arriving in Peoria at 11:30. Linda Clark and Candy Heaton with the Rushville Help Center attended and helped with the program and the trip. After the tour of the zoo, the group went to the Pizza Ranch for pizza buffet and soft drinks. Transportation vehicles were provided by Candy Heaton, Becky Pruden with the Two Rivers Regional Council and Blacks Transfer of Beardstown. Drivers and chaperones were Don Schieferdecker, Thursa Edwards, Linda Clark, Candy Heaton, Kelly Bradbury, Alex Zaboski, and Joe Dorsey. The Big Buddy youth program is sponsored by the Rushville Odd Fellows Friendship Lodge #24.

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PAUL REILLY RECEIVES 10 YR. PIN

At Elgin #12s regular meeting on Wednesday eventing September 21st, Acting Nobel Grand Joe Pagone, on left, presented a ten year pin to fellow lodge brother Paul Reilly. Grand Warden William Maplesden standing at their right, witnessed this special occasion. Congratulations Paul.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows

16th

Annual TOY DRIVE & CHILI CHALLENGE

WE MAKE THE BEST CHILI IN THE STATE. COME PROVE US

WRONG.

Rockford Lodge# 140 – Temple Rebekah Lodge# 7896219 Forest Hills Road, Rockford

(815) 482-9019

Saturday, DecemSaturday, Decemberber 3rd3rd 20120166DOORS OPEN AT 3:00 PM

CHILI CHALLENGE STARTS AT 5:00 PM

ADMISSION: FREE

JUST BRING AN UNWRAPPED NEW TOY OR DIAPERS/WIPES

HELP BRING THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS MORNING TO CHILDREN IN OUR

AREA. IN THE PAST WE HAVE GIVEN TOY DONATIONS TO ROCKFORD AREA

ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS:

MOTHER’S HOUSE CRISIS NURSERY AND LOCAL ROCKFORD FAMLIES

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REALLY BIG PARADE FOR MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY

As I was growing up, my grandparents were deeply involved in the Fisher Community Fair and Horse Show. Gram was superintendent of the ladies Fine Arts Department and the Commercial Building. I was the “gofer” for nearly everyone as soon as I was big enough to run from one end of the grounds to the office and back again.

The fair had it’s beginning as a group of tents at the old school grounds which is no longer there. It has since grown to one of the most well respected events of central Illinois.

To celebrate 75 years of progress and continual support of the community with an all-volunteer effort, a parade for opening day was scheduled. No one expected the volume of response and the staff was quite overwhelmed. Things got sorted out, everyone got lined up, and the parade moved for-ward.

It took one hour for the parade to pass as told from the street. Quite amazing considering a village population of only

1900 folks. Entrants must have come from all over the central area.

Fisher Odd Fellows #704 in the persons of Gene & Nancy Curfman with 13-year-old granddaughter Jessica Sparks put together a parade entry. They decorated with fringe, glit-tery tensile, wheel covers, and posters. Jessica and Grandma Curfman rode the middle seats of the van with the doors open pitching candy and Odd Fellow emblems to the crowd on the street. “Pouchy” a 4-foot stuffed rottweiler rode shotgun decked out in a red, white, and blue kerchief with a gay 90’s straw hat.

The Fisher lodge was instituted in 1883, with the building standing at the corner of Sangamon & Third since 1888. With this kind of history in the community, it seemed mandatory that the Odd Fellows should have a parade entry; in support of their celebration of 75 years for the Fisher Community Fair and Horse Show.

PeriodicalPostage Paid at

Lincoln, IL 62656And At AdditionalMailing OfficesUSPS 258240

The Illinois Odd FellowThe Illinois Odd Fellow (USPS 258-240).Published by the Grand Lodge Office of Illinois, P.O. Box 248, Lincoln, IL 62656.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Illinois Odd Fellow, P.O. Box 248, Lincoln, IL 62656.

CHANGES OF ADDRESSAs the mailing list for the

ILLINOIS ODD FELLOW is pub-lished and corrected by the Grand Lodge Office, please send all chang-es of address and names of deceased members to the Grand Lodge Office.Wri te to : GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, IOOF, P.O. Box 248, LINCOLN, IL 62656-0248.Send “In Memoriam” to P.O. Box 248, Lincoln, IL 62656-0248.

PAST PRESIDENTS OF REBEKAH ASSEMBLY’S

Back Row L-R: Bonnie Hensley, Carole Day, Rebecca Maplesden, Marla Butcher, Judy Sarnes, Patty Heighton, IARA Warden from Atlantic Provinces, Linda Jones, Donna Wessells, Audrey Jones.

Seated L-R: Mary Ann Block, Gail Ann Byers, Norma Jean Pigg.

PAST GRAND MASTER'S

Back Row L-R: Richard Jones, Rich Herring, Bob Smith, Greg Worrell, Gene Curfman, Jim Turner, Jerald T. Sarnes, GCR, Rich Hays, Terry Barrett, SGS, Randy Barnes,

Seated L-R: John Mrizek, Lyndall Pigg, Allen Jones, Les Roberson, Fort Wayne, IN., Sharon Roberson, Fort Wayne, IN. Charlie Campbell.

U.S Postal ServiceSTATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT

AND CIRCULATION(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)

1. Titled of Publication - The Illinois Odd Fellow2. Publication No. 258-240.3. Filing Date - September 21, 2015.4. Frequency of Issue - Monthly.5. No. of issues published annually - 12.6. Annual Subscription price - $5.00.7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication - 845 Wyatt Avenue, PO Box 248, Lincoln, IL 62656.8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of the Publishers - Same as Item #7.9. Names and Addresses of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Publisher - Janis Klockenga, PO Box 845, Lincoln, IL 62656. Editor - same as above Managing Editor - Jerald T. Sarnes, 845 Wyatt Avenue, PO Box 248, Lincoln, IL 62656.10. Owner (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereafter the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, its name and address, as well as that of each individual must be given. If the publica- tion is published by a nonprofit organization, its name and address must be stated). Grand Lodge of Illinois Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 845 Wyatt Ave., Lincoln, IL 62656.11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages and other Security Holders Owning or holding 1 Percent or more of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or other Securities - None.12. For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at special rates. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes - Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months.13. Publication Name - Illinois Odd Fellow.14. Issue Date for Cirrculation Data Below - September, 2016.15. Extent and Nature of Cirrculation. Average No. Copies No. of Copies Each Issue During of Single Issue Preceding Published Nearest 12 Months To Filing Datea. Total No. copies (Net press run) 2000 2000b. Paid Circulation 1. Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions 100 100 2. Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions 3 3c. Total Paid Distribution 103 103d. Free or nominal rate distribution 1. Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County 1827 1827 2. Free or Nominal Rate In-County 20 20f. Total Distribution (sum of 15c&15e) 1827 1827h. Total (Sum of 15f and g) 50 50i. Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times 100) 2000 2000 I certify that all information furnnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be sub-ject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanc-tions (including civil penalties).

Jerald Sarnes, Secretary/Treasurer