Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
West Frankfort fire fighters responded to a call this morning for a possible electrical fire in the 200 block of East Elm Street.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
West Frankfort firefighters were called to a possible electrical fire Wednesday morning. Firefighters were summoned just after 9 a.m., at the report of smoke coming from the rear of the home.
Two residents said they noticed smoke, but did not know the source. They exited the home safely.
The home is located at 212 East Elm Street in West Frankfort.
(Editor’s Note: This story originally was published in Southern Illinois Sports Connection Magazine in September, 2007 – the second month the magazine was published and before our website was completed. It was also before Facebook. It’s such a unique story with so many ties to Southern Illinois that we are running it again. With a bigger and more diverse audience now than we had five years ago we plan on sharing our archives with you from time to time. JM )
By Jim Muir
In the words of 93-year-old Goebel Patton, “it’s a story that needed to be told.”
And even though he’d kept it a secret for more than a quarter of a century Patton still knows the story very well — right down to the minute details. Patton worked for more than 50 years in the West Frankfort school system and served as superintendent for nearly 40 of those years.
In 1981, three years before he retired, Patton was approached by Stanley Changnon, Jr. and Mark Changnon, the son and grandson of legendary Coach Stanley Changnon, with a request that was the most unusual he’d received during his five decades as an educator.
“They asked me if they could scatter Coach Changnon’s ashes on Johnson Field,” recalled Patton. “They wanted to know if it was a request that should be taken through the school board. I thought about it a little and then I told them to just go do what they needed to do and not to tell me about it. I didn’t know for sure when they did it, but I knew they did it. I didn’t want to know for sure back then because if there were any critics I could just tell them, ‘I don’t know.’ I never told anybody because I didn’t know for sure.
Mark Changnon, left, and Stanley Changnon, Jr., grandson and son of legendary Southern Illinois prep coach Stanley Changnon, stand with former West Frankfort superintendent of schools, Goebel Patton on Johnson Field where Changnon’s ashes are spread. The Changnons refer to the field as ‘hallowed ground.’
A short time after that request was made, on a hot July day in 1981 the Changnons made the three-hour drive from their homes in Champaign to Southern Illinois. The Changnon’s first of two destinations that day was Johnson Field.
As West Frankfort residents went about their usual daily routines that summer day the Changnon’s completed their somber task and fulfilled the dying wishes of a larger-than-life figure – a man who is still revered in both basketball and football coaching circles throughout Illinois.
“All I know is that when we arrived the gate was unlocked, I don’t know who unlocked it, but it was unlocked for us,” said Mark. “And we walked out on the field, just the two of us, and did what he asked us to do. My grandfather mentioned it several times before he died so I know it was something that was very important to him.”
After completing the task in West Frankfort the Changnons then drove to Mt. Vernon where they scattered the remaining ashes at J.D. Shields Memorial Stadium.
When questioned about going on the record to do a story about the final resting place of their loved one the Changnons were enthusiastic and agreed with Patton that it was time that the story was told.
Mt. Vernon receives 1949 State Championship trophy from IHSA secretary Al Willis.
“I agree that it’s time the folks in Southern Illinois know about this story. I think it’s important that the younger generation knows about a man that loved high school sports so much that he wanted a football field to be his eternal resting place,” Mark said. “I remember when my grandpa started talking about spreading his ashes at the two football fields. He said he wanted his ashes spread there because it was two places where he had some of the greatest joys in his life.”
On a recent Saturday morning the Changnons and Patton met at Johnson Field — the first time the trio had met in more than 25 years. The three walked the field and recalled memories of the man who prompted the meeting.
Stanley, Jr. recalled a specific conversation he had with his dad only months before he died.
“He was in the hospital and he emphasized that he wanted to be cremated and he was very specific that he wanted his ashes spread at Johnson Field,” said Stanley, Jr. “He really loved this place.”
Stanley Jr., who is now 79 years old, remembers vividly his time in West Frankfort and also in Mt. Vernon. He recalled the attributes that he felt made his dad successful.
“As a coach he was fair but he was also a disciplinarian, you had to do what he said or you weren’t going to play,” said Stanley, Jr. “I think his greatest asset though was the ability to analyze what his players could do. He changed his offense almost every year according to the talent he had and what they could best do. He was also equally as good at analyzing and knowing how to attack his opponent. Even back then he was very much into every detail of the game. I think he was probably ahead of his time as a coach.”
According to his son, Changnon, Sr. was also one of if not the first coach in Southern Illinois to begin developing the one-hand shot in basketball.
“That was a big change when he started teaching the one-hand shot and a lot of people were critical of it,” said Stanley, Jr. “He started that at Johnston City in the mid-1930s and continued on at West Frankfort and obviously it caught on.”
Patton recalled the coaching tenure of Changnon, Sr. at West Frankfort and said one detail still stands out.
“You didn’t see him showing a lot of emotions, jumping up and hollering,” said Patton. “I asked him one time about his coaching style and he said ‘if I teach them all week and they don’t know what they’re supposed to do when the game starts I can’t change things then. He also believed that as a coach he couldn’t think his best if he didn’t remain calm. But, nobody questioned him as a coach, not if you wanted to stay around.”
While Changnon’s ashes were scattered on two football fields his accomplishments on the basketball court is where he is most often remembered. After leaving West Frankfort Changnon took a job in Mt. Vernon in 1943-44 where he coached basketball and football. During a nine-year stint as head basketball coach Changnon compiled a won-loss record of 229-59. Changnon’s 1948-49 and 1949-50 Rams’ teams won back-to-back state titles, making him the first coach to ever accomplish that feat in Illinois. During that incredible two-year state championship run under Changnon the Rams went 63-3.
IHSA secretary Al Willis congratulates team captain Max Hooper and coach Stanley Changnon after winning the 1949 state title.
Changnon began his coaching career in 1926 at Donavan High School where he coached for six years compiling a record of 108-52. He then coached at Johnston City for two years before taking the West Frankfort job where he coached football and basketball from 1935-43. In basketball his overall record at West Frankfort was 136-72. During 25 years of coaching high school basketball Changnon had a record of 507-199. A complete account of Changnon’s football record is not available but during his nine years at the Franklin County school his teams won seven South Seven championships.
The list of players coached by Changnon, Sr. reads like a who’s who of high school sports heroes and includes Max Morris, Lou Levanti, John Riley, Walt Moore, Max Hooper, Eddie King and Benny Purcell.
Morris, who the West Frankfort gym is named after, reached fame at Northwestern, Levanti starred at the University of Illinois in football, Riley and King played basketball at Bradley University while Moore and Hooper played basketball for the Fighting Illini. Purcell played for a college all-stars that competed in a national series against the Harlem Globetrotters.
Prior to beginning his illustrious coaching career the elder Changnon established himself as an outstanding athlete at Illinois State University. To this day he is one of only two athletes to ever win a letter in five sports during one season. While at Normal Changnon won letters in football, basketball, baseball, track and tennis. He received all-conference honors in football and basketball.
Because of a severe asthmatic condition Stanley Jr. never participated in sports, yet his dad’s influence motivated him in other ways.
“As a kid I knew he was a very special person in the community and was really looked up to by a lot of people,” said Stanley Jr. “That gave me a lot of motivation to be successful. Since I had asthma and couldn’t be an athlete I went into high science. I wanted to be successful like my dad was but I couldn’t do it in sports so I tried to do it intellectually.”
Changnon worked for many years as a professor and head of the Illinois Water Survey at the University of Illinois. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Following in his grandfather’s footsteps Mark is a teacher and coaches freshmen basketball at Champaign Centennial High School. Mark, who grew up in Champaign, still recalls spending periods of time in Mt. Vernon with his grandparents during the summer.
“I used to go the restaurant with him every morning and even as a kid I could tell that people thought he was special and I just felt proud to be with him,” said Mark. “I always wanted to be just like him.”
Mark said family members including his father and two brothers make an annual trip to Southern Illinois that always includes a stop at Johnson Field. He said knowing how much his grandfather loved coaching at West Frankfort he looks at the field as “hallowed ground.”
“When I go there, even now,” said Mark looking around at his surroundings at Johnson Field. “I can close my eyes and almost hear the crowd and I can see my grandfather on the sidelines. I’m glad we told the story.”
Peter Johnson’s degree from Rend Lake College was the launchpad to a stellar career. Literally.
The RLC Class of 1985 graduate, and this year’s RLC Alumnus of the Year, used his education at RLC and beyond to transform himself from janitor to NASA engineer. It took hard work and a determined focus on education.
“I worked as a janitor at Bethel Elementary in Mt. Vernon,” he explained. “A social worker in Mt. Vernon, Ms. Watkins, arranged for me to be involved in the CITA program. That allowed me to work on an Associate in Applied Science at Kaskaskia College. But once I realized that degree would not lead to an engineering degree, I entered Rend Lake College.”
He graduated with his Associate in Science and didn’t waste any time pursuing education beyond RLC. Two years later he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. While at SIUC, he ran his business – a television and stereo repair outfit called Johnson Electronics – to help support his wife, Cindy, and their infant daughter.
“Juggling a family, a business, and school at the same time was definitely a challenge. From that experience, I have great respect for all returning students! Sometimes I think I am successful today because I was an older, returning student. I was ready to do what it took to get a good education.”
He credited strong examples set for him by his parents when he was growing up. His father was a chemist.
“I made a conscious decision going to Rend lake College to pursue a degree in electrical engineering and, on my father’s advice, took a broad range of engineering courses rather than specializing in any particular field. My father … suggested that companies would prefer someone with breadth and would provide specific, job-related training after hiring.”
His mother was also an analytic chemist. She stopped working to stay at home and raise Peter and his brothers. When the boys entered elementary school, she went back to school to be able to teach mathematics.
“I would watch her study when we came home from school and then watch her work hard grading papers once she became a teacher. I learned from them both, by example, that succeeding requires effort and that it is OK to struggle. I also found that collaboration was much better than competition. That was one gift I took from going to a community college. I see that communities work together for everyone’s benefit. That is not always the case for a large school, where the goal seems to be competitive and to be better than your classmates.”
Rend Lake College’s 2012 Alumnus of the Year Peter Johnson is pictured here at the top of launch pad A, just next to the top of the external tank used by Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-131 mission. Johnson will accept his award at the RLC Foundation Annual Dinner, Dec. 6, at the Mount Vernon Holiday Inn. Purchase tickets by calling 618-437-5321, Ext. 1324.
Collaboration is an absolute must where he works now.
NASA was never a goal. It wasn’t even a dot on the radar until one day when he was walking through the basement of the engineering building at SIUC.
“There was a handmade sign, made from a cardboard box, that said ‘NASA interviews tomorrow.’ That sign led to an interview and a job offer for the Shuttle Human space flight program at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.”
Johnson, fresh out of SIUC, was hired as an Instrumentation System Engineer. It was 1987 – a year after the Challenger accident on Jan. 28, 1986, when the space shuttle broke apart shortly after lift-off, killing all seven crew members. Many can remember watching the tragedy play out on live television. Classrooms across the country were tuned in to watch crew member Christa McAuliffe – the woman who was planned to become the first female teacher in space. The accident prompted U.S. President Ronald Reagan to order an extensive investigation into what happened. NASA’s organizational culture and decision-making processes were called into question.
In the early 1990s, Johnson was promoted to Technical Lead for the Space Shuttle Orbiter Instrumentation Section. His section has been renamed the Flight Instrumentation Section, and is now within the Flight Avionics Division, following the cancellation of the space shuttle program.
“As an Instrumentation Engineer, my job is to ensure the engineers responsible for the various subsystems on a spacecraft – electrical power generation, environmental controls, propulsion, main engines, et cetera – can monitor and assess the performance and operation of those subsystems both on the ground and while in orbit and, should an unpleasant event occur, have sufficient data of an acceptable level of quality to be able to determine what went wrong and what sort of corrective action needs to be taken to recover and ensure the problem never occurs again.”
His work in that area earned Johnson a Silver Snoopy. According to the NASA website, a Space Flight Awareness Silver Snoopy Award is the astronauts’ personal award. Eligible candidates have made contributions toward enhancing the probability of mission success. Johnson was nominated by Astronaut Jim Newman.
“Before then, data went from the Space Shuttle Orbiter by radio to mission managers on the ground and the mission managers verbally told the crew what was going on. I was able to give the astronauts a data link where they could see everything that was being sent to the ground. The first time they used it to perform a rendezvous, they saved over 50 percent of the fuel allocated for the operation because they could see what they were doing in real-time. From then on, it became a valuable resource that was used on every mission.”
Johnson also received the NASA Exceptional Achievement medal for work to resolve a problem with engine cut-off sensors that resulted in twice scrubbing the STS-122 mission (Atlantis).
Most people think of NASA and imagine what they see in Hollywood movies. Astronauts, scientists, doctors, engineers, administrators – all hooked up and linked in, communicating from mission control to space, in its own small world. It turns out that’s pretty close, according to Johnson.
“Around Kennedy Space Center, it always interests me that we are a small city unto ourselves, with our own power plant, health service, and train yard – including three locomotives. Kennedy Space Center is interesting in that our role in the Space Shuttle Program basically extended from landing, servicing the Orbiter, installing the payload – like a new module for the International Space Station or repair components for the Hubble Space Telescope – stacking the solid rocket boosters and external tank, mating the Orbiter to the stack and, finally, launch countdown.”
He went on to explain that KSC only plays a support role during the actual mission. But as NASA began to prepare for the next generation of space capsules and launch vehicles, Johnson became one of a handful to KSC engineers who were able to move into on-orbit support for their subsystems. This role, known as the NASA Subsystem Engineer (NSE), was a very exciting and a rare exchange of authority from the Johnson Space Center [in Houston], he said.
“To know that I was responsible for the health and welfare of a crew that was 120 to 200 miles above the Earth was exciting, terrifying, and humbling – all at the same time!”
Johnson has been involved with 110 successful missions, starting with the post-Challenger return to flight mission in 1988 and including Endeavour’s Intelsat capture, repair and release; and the Hubble repair mission where he was asked to assist on an independent peer review of the Hubble Space Telescope replacement control unit/science data formatter that was installed. While every part of every mission may not have went as planned, lessons were learned without lives lost. But out of them all, one of his strongest memories is from Feb. 1, 2003.
“[I was] standing with my wife and son by the river that runs past my home, waiting for the twin sonic booms that announce the return of the Space Shuttle Orbiter to the landing strip at Kennedy Space Center. It is not very often that I was able to do this, since I was usually in the ‘Firing Room’ monitoring the health of the instrumentation system. But, that day I was at home. I knew something was wrong. There is no good reason for the sonic booms not to be heard.”
The Columbia broke up over Texas during reentry, resulting in the death of all seven crew members. Debris from the disaster stretched from Dallas and into Louisiana and Arkansas. A massive, organized ground search was conducted to recover debris over the months that followed the tragedy.
“Eventually, one of the tape recorders that I was responsible for was found in the wreckage and I was tasked with hand processing that data and distributing it to those who would eventually identify the source of the failure. A piece of foam from the external tank had come off, striking and punching a hole in the leading edge of the wing, allowing superheated gases to enter the wing, leading to the breakup.”
Johnson mans his station in Firing Room 2 with other members of Kennedy Space Center’s Engineering Leads and Management Team during the launch count down for STS-134 Space Shuttle Endeavour.Johnson will speak at the RLC Foundation’s 2012 Annual Dinner. This year’s theme revolves around “Inspiring Gifts.” In Johnson’s case, it is the gift of possibility – the possibility RLC provided him years ago when he was a janitor looking for more and the possibility he personifies for future students.
“Education is the key to a full and rich life,” he said. “I’ve always considered myself to live in a zen-like manner. I eat when I’m hungry, sleep when I’m tired, and take life as life presents itself. But, it is education that allows many more and better opportunities to present themselves. I certainly would not be where I am today if I had been content with my first set of experiences.”
He returned to school again, this time earning his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Digital Signal Processing, at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, in 2007.
“Rend Lake College provided me the firm foundation I needed to move on to the higher-level engineering courses I took at SIU and in my job at NASA. Whether by luck or fortune, I’ve never had to take an additional prerequisite for a class that followed any of those I took at RLC. RLC provided an exceptional footing for my educational and career path.”
His advice to students is to never stop learning and remember that it all starts with the fundamentals. He said he still reaches for those math, engineering and physics textbooks he used at RLC.
“I’ve found that I never stop learning. There will always be new tools to aid in whatever field you are involved in, whether that be arts, science, machining, sports, or engineering. Stay abreast of those tools as they will stimulate new ideas and approaches. At the same time, rely heavily on the basics of your field. There is a reason you were taught the vocabulary and foundations of a subject first. Everything grows from there.”
Peter and Cindy Johnson live in Florida. Cindy worked as a music teacher at Bethel Grade School, Opdyke-Belle Rive Grade School and Casey Junior High School when they lived in Mt. Vernon. She has continued her passion for music education – now as the Music Resource Teacher for the 86 schools in Brevard County where they live. Their oldest daughter, Katie Childs, was born in Mt. Vernon and now lives in Brooklyn with her husband Erik. Katie works for a small organic beauty company called Red Flower. Peter said she is having “some of the best experiences I have ever heard.” Their other daughter, 18-year-old Tricia, is in her first year at New College of Florida – a small, state honors college in Sarasota. She is studying math and literary arts with a current goal of working in publishing, he said. Their son, 16-year-old Nick, is gifted in science and mathematics, along with being “a stunning musician,” Peter said. Nick plays piano, is one of 12 cellists in Florida’s 2011-12 All-State Orchestra, and has earned a spot in the Brevard County All-County Band after recently taking up percussion.
“I love music,” said Peter. “That is part of my pride in my family. Each is a gifted musician, where I am an outstanding audience member!”
He said he is still learning to play the guitar he bought in Mt. Vernon 25 years ago.
“I am finding it to be more challenging than learning any engineering equation.”
He sits on the Board for the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra, helping to provide the student musicians in the area with a satisfying ensemble experience. He says he’s on a “quest to remind people that quality of life involves feeding the emotions via the arts, as well as the body with food. I’m hoping to transform the focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to STEAM by adding Art back into the discussion.”
Johnson said he was honored and stunned to learn he had been selected for one of RLC’s most distinguished awards.
“I understand there were many worthy candidates and I looked at myself as less likely of receiving the recognition than the others,” he modestly stated.
“Each year, we are extremely impressed and encouraged to see the results of the education that Rend Lake College offers,” said RLCF CEO Shawna Hall. “Peter T. Johnson, our 2012 Alumnus of the Year, continues our tradition of excellence. He holds an accomplished position in a career that most people only dream of while they are watching space shuttles launch.”
Johnson will officially receive his award at the RLCF Annual Dinner, Dec. 6, at the Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn. The evening begins with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $40 each by calling 618-437-5321, Ext. 1214 or 1324, or by sending an e-mail to foundation@rlc.edu. A table of 10 can also be reserved.
By JIM MUIR
The Southern Illinois economy and mining industry took a direct hit Tuesday with the announcement that the Willow Lake Mine near Harrisburg will close permanently.
Below is a press release issued by Peabody Energy:
Big Ridge, Inc. today announced it will permanently close the Willow Lake Mine near Harrisburg, Ill. The mine has failed to meet acceptable standards for safety, compliance and operating performance, and these ongoing issues make the operations unsustainable.
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letters are being provided to approximately 400 employees. Willow Lake sold 2.2 million tons in 2011.
Peabody expects to incur a largely non-cash, one-time charge estimated at $40 to $60 million ($0.10 to $0.15 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter primarily to write off assets, increase asset retirement obligations and accrue severance. The company expects little effect on ongoing earnings from the closing.
by BRUCE A. FASOL
West Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Tharp has announced an arrest in the recent burglary of a West Frankfort home. No date was identified when three guns were found missing from a home in the 100 block of West Sixth Street. Chief Tharp said the victim could not pinpoint when the guns were stolen.
The guns stolen were: a .22 long rifle, with a Bushnell scope, a Colt commander .45 caliber pistol, stainless steel and a 100th Anniversary edition, and also taken was a Heritage Roughrider .22 caliber pistol.
On Nov. 14, West Frankfort Police saw the investigation lead to Fairfield. A Fairfield resident told police there that he had purchased one of the firearms but did not know it was stolen. A similar story then emerged with a Thompsonville man saying he bought a gun, not knowing it was taken in a burglary.
West Frankfort Police developed a suspect in the case, and arrested 22-year-old Justin M. Murphy at a home on North Illinois Avenue in West Frankfort.
According to Chief Tharp, Murphy has admitted to investigators he entered the home of an acquaintance and took the weapons.
Murphy has been charged with residential burglary and the theft of the firearms.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
Repair crews will begin patching rough areas on the railroad crossings at Cleveland and St. Louis streets within the next two weeks, according to West Frankfort City Commissioner Tara Fasol-Chambers.
After fielding calls from local residents complaining about the tracks and potential damage to vehicles, Fasol-Chambers met with Union Pacific Railroad officials, who conducted an inspection of the railroad crossings in the city. The railroad company is responsible for maintenance of the tracks, not the city.
Although the concrete areas surrounding the tracks are periodically inspected, repaired and replaced, Southern Illinois weather is not conducive to their long-term condition. The cycles of freezing, thawing, heat and moisture cause areas to weaken and crumble under normal traffic patterns.
Following the inspection, commissioner Chambers announced that repair crews would be patching the affected areas in the next week or two. The patching should be enough to keep the crossings intact throughout the winter. Next spring, additional reconstruction work will be done on a larger scale.
The crossings at Cleveland and St. Louis streets will be blocked on a short-term basis during the work when necessary.
by BRUCE A. FASOL
Crowds rivaling those of the Old King Coal Festival packed downtwon West Frankfort on Tuesday night for the annual Fantasy of Lights Parade. Warmer temperatures brought out the huge crowd to watch one of the best lighted parades in the town’s history.
Singers Sarah White and Paige Alford
By TAMMY HEAD
To say the atmosphere was casual would be an understatement. Upon entering the building, I was greeted by a very competitive Foosball game and a bunch of excited teens. Next to them, a couple of boys were trying their hand at Cornhole.
A group gathers for refreshments before the event begins.
Off the foyer, a group of people gathered for refreshments and casual conversation. A quick scan of the guest book showed there were people in attendance from all over Southern Illinois: Benton, West Frankfort, Ewing, Macedonia, Waltonville, Thompsonville, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Vienna and Nashville were a few of the towns listed.
A table for collecting donations to the Benton Ministerial Alliance was positioned near the door with growing stacks of food items.
But the atmosphere wasn’t just casual, it was happy. It was as if long-lost friends were getting together for the first time in a long time. Old friends, new friends, and complete strangers were happy and excited to be there. Bob Pankey, Youth Pastor at Whittington Church said that only about half the people there were from their church.
I was soon introduced to Jon Walker, visionary and founder of the event. Jon quickly began to explain his vision for a community event – not a church event. He originally had wanted to hold the event at the Benton Civic Center so that it was a community location, but the renovations at the Civic Center made that impossible for this first event. However, plans are already underway for another event in the spring at a community location, possible even an outdoor event.
It seemed like all too soon, it was time for the event to begin. I took a seat and watched as people began to carry their refreshments into the auditorium. Another sign of the casualness of the event. A quick scan of the crowd showed that people of all ages expected to enjoy being ‘undivided.’ I had to wonder if some of the older members of the audience knew what they were in for. I had been warned by a band member’s wife that it would be loud! I tried to count as I looked around and quickly figured there were about 100 people there.
Jon Walker explains how the event came together.
As the band took the stage, a feeling of anticipation hit the crowd, like when you attend a concert. I wondered what type of performance I was in for. The lights dimmed, the smoke machine started, and Jon stepped to the microphone. As he welcomed everyone he said, “We want this to be an informal event. We are here to worship Jesus. So if we don’t pay attention to you, it is because we are lost in our own worship.” How true that was!
I’ve had the privilege over the years to hear a lot of great church bands and several professional Christian bands. I’ve watched many of those “perform” for the audience. But there was none of that on Saturday night. This band was there for a higher purpose. It was not about performing or what anyone thought about them. That was so evident as the music began.
Jon Walker is not new to leading worship. He attended a Christian college in Tennessee and traveled to different churches on a music team from the school. It was during that time that he saw a lot of division among people and churches over ‘little’ stuff – stuff that isn’t very important in the grand scheme of things. He has a passion to see people, and in turn churches, united. “I want to find those things that we can all agree on like Jesus, His love, and what He has done for us, and focus on those things,” he said as he began speaking. And by collecting for the Ministerial Alliance too, it turned the event into community ministry. “We need to see more churches working together in my opinion,” he stated.
Sherry West, Jon’s mother, watches with obvious pride.
Although I was told the band had just been practicing together for a few weeks, I could not tell it. The music was powerful and appealed to the vast variety of ages in the audience. A little girl, maybe 4 years old kept coming down in front of me so that she could see around the people standing in front of her. It was touching to watch her raise her little hand in the air. Likewise, the older couple right behind me (the ones I worried about at the beginning) stood for a great portion of the service in praise.
Although Jon was the leader of the band on the acoustic guitar and then piano, he would humbly tell you that he could have not done it without the people on the stage with him. Danny Parkhill and Jeremy Jackson on electric guitars, Calen Mcginty on the drums, Bob Pankey on the bass guitar, Andy Johnson on the acoustic guitar, Steve Newcomb on the keyboard, and Sarah White and Paige Alford on vocals. Together they were a powerful force that allowed you to join in with them as they played to a much bigger audience above. Then when I stood to leave at the end, I was surprised that the auditorium had filled to over 200 people after I took my seat!
The goal is for this event to be the first of many in our area. Like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UndividedWorshipIL to stay informed about future events.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
On Monday, a handful of residents attended the first of two informational meetings on electric aggregation at West Frankfort City Hall. The meeting was led by Anna M. Baluyot, managing partner of Select Energy, of Chicago.
