wirth
Woman stays connected through work, God
Kay Ernst of New Lenox has an impressive resume — one where the words “psychiatric nurse” blend with “pastoral counselor” and “nurse chaplain.” Her perseverance in wanting to learn what caused her first child’s death shortly after birth brought her into nursing when she was …
Woman retiring from a life of work at 93
A Joliet senior has retired after working at her job for 21 years plus four months. That is a milestone anyone can be proud of, but that’s only part of the story. Rosalie Sternisha will be 94 years old on June 20. And the reason …
Woman a true people person
Dorothy Bogan is a people person. The seven-year Wilmington resident, a mother of four and grandmother of five, also has been a foster mother — for two baby boys and a 13-year-old. And for a baby girl — Kristin, whom her first husband and she …
Man’s life has always had music at the center
Done Parrish has been singing since he was 4 years old. That amounts to a tune-filled 68 years. “It’s my hobby,” the Wilmington businessman said. “I sing everywhere I go. I love to sing in bands — if they let me.” Only health issues have …
Try to eliminate disease
The Wellness Forum empowers people to take care of their health through lifestyle changes. “Living proof of this” is Cyd Notter of Wilmington, a 10-year forum member, who has been teaching it for three years. Notter’s cholesterol went down 60 points after she began to …
Woman has a real sense of style
Lunch time at Al’s Steak House holds a special treat for the restaurant-goers on the third Wednesday of the month. Ministry of Fashion unfolds with models weaving their way among tables and alongside booths, showing off the latest creations from designers. No one is at …
Woman’s life is all about commitment
When Della (Wellman) Brown takes on a project, you can be sure it could go on for decades. That’s besides her being secretary for the Joliet Caterpillar Retirees Club since 1992. She joined the club with her husband, the late Donald Brown, in 1980, when …
Retirees club has many roles
Although Caterpillar Joliet Retirees Club is the only Caterpillar one in the world, you can be a member no matter where in the world you live. You do have to be a Caterpillar retiree who was employed at any level in the company or the …
Joliet Twp. H.S. band celebrating 100 years of music
Ardis (Goeken) Garfield’s high school years in the early 1940s were indeed impressive. She had the distinction of being the first girl to perform as a member of the championship Joliet Township High School Band under the direction of the noted A.R. McAllister. “I love …
Senior stays busy, active
Mary Hunt of Wilmington echoes a familiar refrain among optimistic seniors. “I still feel like the same age as the kids,” says this retired teacher. “My body has slowed but my mind hasn’t. “We need to keep busy, never vegetate,” she cautions. She does have …
Elwood senior enjoying the ‘good life’ with family, friends
Most of us look forward to retirement. But each of us might define it differently. For Phyllis Jensen Brisbin of Elwood, retirement is multifaceted. “It’s really a good life,” she said. There’s family: son Tom and his children, Stephanie (John) Warren and Brian; and son …
Joliet woman is a real jewel in her own right
Family, church, helping others. That sums up the Honiotes family in the Joliet area. Most residents remember the Honiotes Bros. grocery store at Jefferson Street and Midland Avenue. Today, Jewel Food Store is located at that corner, the result of the sale decades ago to …
Club has Wilmington interests at heart
Take a look at the membership roster of the Wesley Club and you’ll see that its members are not only active in that local group, but dedicated to helping the Wilmington community and beyond. They are the same women who help or have helped with, …
Seniors often targeted in identity thefts
“We’re all going to get old, and we’re all going to be potential victims.” That was the message from Illinois State Police investigator Mary Woolery, who investigates financial exploitation of seniors. She recently spoke to residents and guests at The Timbers of Shorewood. “I try …
Painter’s artwork, star on national ascent
Paul Zegers was just 2 years old when his mother, Adeline (Swinford), of Custer Park said the picture of the ice cream cone he had drawn actually looked like one. Today, Zegers, 61, of Roseburg, Ore., has garnered national recognition for his artwork. He is …
