Feast of the Paschal Lamb - Sunday April 5

Feast of the Paschal Lamb - Sunday, April 5th at 2pm

The Feast of the Paschal Lamb is the annual Memorial Service honoring all of our Brethren who have been called to eternal refreshment in the Paradise of God. This non-sectarian service is conducted by the George E. Burow Chapter of Rose Croix and all members and their families are encouraged to attend. The service will be held at the Danville Masonic Temple. Following the program refreshments will be served in the dining room by the officers of the Walter A. Stevens Council Princes of Jerusalem. There is no cost to attend this event

Valley of Danville Scottish Rite Reunion this Weekend.

Held at the Danville Masonic Temple

Friday, April 3rd

· 4:00 pm — Registration Opens

· 5:00 pm — 4th Degree

· 5:30 pm — 10th Degree

· 6:30 pm — Dinner

· 7:30 pm — 16th Degree Allegory

Saturday, April 4th

· 6:30 am — Coffee & Donuts

· 8:00 am — 14th Degree

· 9:30 am — 16th Degree Ceremonial

· 10:00 am — 18th Degree

· 11:45 am — Lunch

· 1:00 pm — 21st Degree

· 2:30 pm — 31st Degree

· 3:15 pm — Valley Reception

· 4:45 pm — 32nd Degree

· 5:30 pm — Social Reception

(Cash Bar & Finger Foods)

Candidate Fees are $156.00, which includes dues through June 30, 2009.

Fight is on to save North Dakota Masonic and Shrine Temple

The Red River in North Dakota is at record high flood stage and local National Guardsmen and Airmen are fighting to save the El Zagel Shrine and Masonic Temple.

FARGO, N.D. — The human sandbag chain in north Fargo on March 26 was evenly represented by civilian and military volunteers.

North Dakota National Guard Airmen and Soldiers, in their traditional camouflaged uniforms,
slugged thousands of 20-pound sacks of sand alongside an Army of Fargo residents and out-of-towners resolved to save the El Zagel Shrine and Masonic Temple from floodwater from the rising Red River.

It’s a scene that’s been played and replayed since the Guard sent in its first personnel more than a
week ago to help fortify the city’s last lines of defense against a catastrophic flood.

Sgt. 1st Class Dan L. Olson, a Guard volunteer from the 957th Multi-role Bridge Company in
Bismarck, said the civilian workforce was critical to the success of the mission.

“The volunteers are really kicking butt; as long as we keep getting them out here helping us, we’ll be fine,” Olson said.

Olson said that a crew of about 50 citizen-Soldiers and citizen-Airmen worked well into the night on March 25, before shutting down when it got too dark. Their mission was to raise an existing two-foot-high sandbag levee another two feet after new projections from the National Weather Service said the Red River would likely crest higher than previously anticipated.

Jim Savaloja, Leeds, N.D., a former Grand Master of the Masons of North Dakota and a civilian
volunteer flood fighter, said the community is just as appreciative of the efforts of the Guard.

Russell Lodge - 2 Second Degree's

Russell Lodge will have two second degrees:

Tuesday , March 31 - Degrees Starting at 6:00 PM

Your assistance would be appreciated !

Earl Lomax

Clandestine Lodge - Beware

Brethren; I'm not sure if you are aware of this or not, but on March 7th there was a meeting conducted in Bradley by St. Elmos lodge #70A. There were letters sent out to some area lodges asking them to attend. Mr. Charles Harper from some Scottish Rite spoke at the meeting. St. Elmos lodge is not recognized by our Grand Lodge or by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge. While there were, I'm sure, some interesting things presented, this is not approved by either Grand Lodge of Illinois. Please get the word out to all of your lodges that I do not recommend attending meetings of this organization and that communications from them do not need to be read in their lodges. Please keep me informed if there is further communication with them.

Daniel C. Yandel

Grand Master

1st Degrees at Ogden and St. Joseph This week.

Brethren,

Just a reminder of the two first degrees coming up this week - One in Ogden on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm and the other at St Joe on Thursday evening also at 7:00 pm.

We hope to surprise Brother Carl D (Dad) Lewis with his 60 year pin on Wednesday.

Hope to se you all there.

Fraternally,

Steve Hooper, Sec. 12th E. W/C

Commandery Degrees this Saturday in Champaign

Champaign - Urbana

York Rite Masonry

14 Bel-Aire Court

Champaign, Illinois 61820-7509

Phone: 217-352-7099

You are cordially invited to attend the inspection of

URBANA COMMANDERY NO. 16, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Under the direction of Sir Knight William E. Jegan

Eminent Grand Senior Warden

of the

Grand Commandery of Knights Templar

of the State of Illinois

Lunch at 11:45 AM

By The Ladies Auxiliary

Opening 1:00 PM

Order of the Temple 1:40 PM

Ladies Tea 2:30 PM

Afternoon Entertainment and Program for the Ladies

Open Evening Inspection 4:30 PM

THERE WILL BE NO EVENING DINNER

SK Robert G. Minton, Commander SK Rob R. Beldon, Recorder

Bill Lunger - Western Star Lodge

Bill Lunger
CHAMPAIGN – Bill E. Lunger, 82, of Champaign died Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System, Danville. He was born May 26, 1926, in Champaign, to Ernest E. and Margaret Jane Wahls Lunger. Mr. Lunger enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and served in the South Pacific aboard a Navy LST as a boat's coxswain until he was discharged in 1946. Returning to Champaign, he became a sheet metal worker and was a member of Local Sheet Metal Workers #218. He was also a member of Western Star Lodge 210, the Elks Lodge 398, the Masonic Lodge #240 A.F. and A.M. and the VFW Post 5520. Mr. Lunger was also active in Democratic politics, serving as a precinct captain during John F. Kennedy's presidential race in 1960. Survivors include his son, Thomas Lunger of North Augusta, S.C.; two daughters, Cynthia Via of Estes Park, Colo., and Julie Lunger of Urbana, Ill.; three stepchildren, Larry Williams of Champaign, Sam Williams of Savoy, Ill., and Katie Maze of Winter Park, Fla.; four grandchildren, Jessica Gallum, Jennifer Lunger, Rachel Lunger and Jeremy Lunger, all of North Augusta, S.C.; and one great-grandchild, Madelyn Gallum of North Augusta, S.C. He was preceded in death by his siblings, two brothers and three sisters. Visitation will be held at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St., Champaign, from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. A memorial service will be held directly after the visitation. A private interment will be held at Danville National Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes.com.

Illini Shrine Club Soup

Come have some great fun and food at the Illini Shrine Club Soup Supper at the Champaign Masonic Center from 4-7pm on Friday March 13.

Hans Selin - Western Star Lodge

Hans Selin
SAVOY – Hans P. Selin, 90, of Savoy passed away at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2009, at Provena Covenant Medical Center in Urbana. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2009, from 10 a.m. to noon at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy, followed by a funeral service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens. Hans was born on April 25, 1918, in Orebro, Sweden, the eldest son of Paul David Selin and Ruth Elizabeth Olsen Selin. He married Marion Parker on Feb. 16, 1940, in Urbana. She preceded him in death on Aug. 12, 1988. He married Doris Berg on April 16, 1994. She survives. Also surviving are his daughter, Patricia (Richard) Gronlund of Downers Grove; his son, Paul (Teresa) Selin of Champaign; a brother, Eric Selin of Davis; a sister, Margaret Selin of Champaign; two stepsons, Richard (Carol) Berg of Tuscola and Philip Berg of Indianapolis, Ind.; a stepdaughter, Robin (William) Smith of Minneapolis, Minn.; four grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother. Mr. Selin came to America on Dec. 1, 1926, at the age of 8 years. He was a member of the first class to go through South Side School from first through seventh grades. He graduated from Champaign High School in 1936. He served in the United States Army Air Forces from 1942 through 1945 attached to the 43rd Fighter Squadron in the Panama Canal Zone. After being discharged from the service, Mr. Selin entered the Apprenticeship Training Program of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local No. 149, of which he was a member until his death. Mr. Selin served that union as president, secretary and business agent. He additionally served as president of the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council for a period of 12 years. He served the City of Champaign as chairman of the Champaign Better Housing Committee for six years. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church of Champaign, Moose Lodge No. 1288, Champaign Elks Lodge No. 2497, Western Star Lodge No. 240 A.F.&A.M., Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite-Valley of Danville Ansar Shrine, Springfield, Illinois Shrine Club, High 12 Club, Sadorus Sportsman's Club, American Legion Post 24, Champaign Lion's Club and Urbana Golf and Country Club, where he was a founding member of the Old Farts Golf Group. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Grace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.

1st Degrees at Russell Lodge

Russell Lodge in Georgetown is planning to have two 1st degrees in Georgetown, March 16 @ 7:00.We plan to serve snacks starting @ 6:00 - probably left overs afterward.

Harold Hackett - Tuscola Lodge

Harold Hackett
TUSCOLA – Harold E. Hackett, 86, of Tuscola passed away at 9:11 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his family. A memorial service celebrating Harold's life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Maus Family Funeral Home, 400 S. Main St., Tuscola. The Rev. Kenneth Roedder will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of services on Tuesday with public Masonic services at 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. Harold was born July 23, 1922, in Tuscola. He was a son of James Edward and Lucretia (Warne) Hackett. He married Neoma Margaret Cummings Harting on May 30, 1942, at Tuscola United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on March 3, 2008. Harold and Neoma had three children, Dennis Hackett and his wife, Jane (Rothgeb), of Morris, Deborah Harrison and her husband, Ken, of Overland Park, Kan., and David Hackett and his wife, Marcia (Carlyle), of Tuscola. Harold and Neoma adored and were active with their 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, Melissa Hackett of Morris; Phil Hackett and his wife, Cassie, and their children, Finny and Addison, of Morris; Kady Hackett Zumwalt and her husband, Jim, and their children, Wesley and Evie, of Aurora; Kurt Harrison and his wife, Kristi, and their children, Tanner, Trevor, and Tatum, of Overland Park, Kan.; Kyle Harrison of Overland Park, Kan.; Kent Harrison and his daughter, Taylor, of Kansas City, Mo.; Patrick Hackett of Tuscola; Maureen Hackett Jones and her husband, Jason, and their children Morgan and Mason, of Tuscola; Michael Hackett and his children, Hunter and Wrigley, of Tuscola; and Elise Hackett of Tuscola. Harold also leaves his sister, Joyce Archibald of Villa Grove, and three nieces. Harold was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; two sisters, Gladys Hackett and Opal Hackett Clapper; and three brothers, Weldon Hackett, Montelle "Monk" Hackett and Carl Hackett. Harold attended Craft Grade School and graduated from Tuscola High School in 1940. He was also a graduate of Diesel Engineering School, Chicago, and attended classes in farm management, marketing, and research. He was a lifelong farmer in the Tuscola area in partnership with brothers Carl and Montelle for 44 years and farmed with his son until his retirement. He held a deep passion for raising crops, Hereford cattle and crossbred hogs. In recognition of his contribution to future farmers, Harold received the FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree that was presented by his sons, Dennis and David. He was a 4-H leader for 15 years and enjoyed working with farm kids. Additionally, Harold received the Outstanding Salesman Award from Crow's Hybrids for 8 years. Upon Harold's retirement, he and Neoma enjoyed several years of life living on Lake Sara in Effingham. Harold was a member of the Tuscola United Methodist Church and a 50-year member and past master of the Tuscola Masonic Lodge 332 A.F. & A.M.; 50-year member and past high priest of Tuscola Chapter of Royal Arch Masons 66; 50-year member and past commander of Melita Commandry 37; and a member of Ansar Shrine Club, Springfield. Harold was a member of the Republican Party. He was a Douglas County Board member, serving many years as chairman. He also served on the following committees: Election Board, Civil Defense Chairman, Insurance, Health, Planning, Salary, Hospital, Jury, Law and Order, Building and Grounds and Road and Bridge. Harold was featured in the February 1996 Soybean Digest issue titled "From Mules to Monitors" that described his progressive farming practices and transition from using mules to modern-day technologies. Memorials may be made to Crossroads Cancer Center, 905 Medical Park Drive, Effingham, IL 62401; The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202; or to Lincolnland Hospice, 700 Broadway Ave. E., Suite 9, Mattoon, IL 61938. For more information or to share a memory and sign the online guestbook please visit www.mausfamilyfh.com.

Willard Black - Olive Branch Lodge

Willard Black
MESA, Ariz. – Willard B. Black, 90, of Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Danville, passed away on March 5, 2009, at his home in Mesa. Willard, known affectionately as "Blackie" by all who knew him, was born on April 6, 1918, in Normantown to Homer and Nina Black. He had one brother, Earl Black; three sisters, Donna McKinley, Marjorie Trent, and Betty Nield; and a half brother, Terry Black. Mr. Black, or "Blackie," attended Liberty and Franklin grade schools, and graduated from Danville High School in 1936. He worked at the Fischer, Palace and Lincoln theaters and at Illinois Power Company. He later began working at Automatic Engineering Company in 1937, a heating business in Danville. During World War II, he served on the rationing board of Vermilion County and later served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Black married Laura E. Murray on March 19, 1938, and they raised two sons, William (Sharon) Black and Robert (Jacki) Black of Danville. Laura preceded him in death on June 20, 1968. He later married Helen Louise Spinder in Peoria, gaining two stepdaughters, Kathy Speerly and Denia (Don) Zuch. Together, they have seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. In the years following the war, Blackie was very active in Danville civic and fraternal organizations. He served on the Vermilion County Board of Supervisors, the Vermilion County Conservation District Board of Trustees, and served as treasurer and president of the board during the construction of Lake Mingo. He was also a member of Masonic GAO Grotto (lifetime member), Olive Branch Lodge, Ansar Shrine and Eastern Illinois Shrine club (he served as the chaplin at the Grotto), the Danville Elks Lodge, American Legion, Danville Boat Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce state director and vice president, and the Danville and Illinois Home Builders Association (lifetime membership). Blackie was also active in the Boy Scouts of America for over 30 years at the troop, pack, and council levels. He assisted in the renovation of buildings at Portland Arch, and was responsible for installing most of the water system serving camp sites and buildings at Cherokee Hills Scout Camp, and he led the project to rebuild the service building that was destroyed by fire. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Medal and the Order of the Arrow by the Boy Scout Local Council. He also worked diligently for Habitat for Humanity while serving on the building committee at First Presbyterian Church of Danville. As a Danville businessman, Blackie sponsored Little League and Pony League baseball teams, and was active in the leadership of youth activities. He was a very involved and active supporter of several associations in the heating and air conditioning industry, receiving many sales and dealer awards. He retired from Blackie's Automatic Engineering Company in 1982, as the owner and operator, after 45 years. His son Robert and grandson Rob continue to operate the business. In the ensuing years, he enjoyed an active retirement in both Arizona, where he was a "Winter Member" of the Central Christian Church of Mesa, and in Danville's Ridgeview Baptist Church during summers in Danville. Mr. Black was an active outdoorsman who was very sensitive to the support of animals and their environment, especially during his years spent in the Arizona desert area. In addition to his obvious generosity in the support of various organizations, Blackie often demonstrated his compassion for his fellow man by quietly assisting, supporting, and providing assistance to many individuals who were fortunate enough to cross his life's path. His unparalleled generosity earned him widespread respect among those whose lives were touched by his presence on this earth. His son, Bill, said, "Our father was a remarkable man who loved his family, his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him." A memorial service and celebration of Blackie's life will be held at a later date in Danville. Memorials may be sent to the Boy Scouts of America, 305 W. Woodbury, Danville, IL 61832; the Humane Society, 1225 N. Collett, Danville, IL 61832; or the Vermilion County Animal Shelter Foundation, 14775 Catlin-Tilton Road, Danville, IL 61834.

Jack Troxell - Western Star Lodge

Jack Troxell
CHAMPAIGN – Jack Bernard Troxell, 91, of Champaign passed away at 10:05 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2009, at Meadowbrook Healthcare Center, Urbana. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy. The Rev. James Elder will officiate. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Jack was born June 4, 1917, in Rockwell City, Iowa, a son of William Harvey and Henrietta Maude McNew Troxell. He married Betty Lee Hazard on Dec. 22, 1940, in San Jose, Ill. She survives. Also surviving are one son, Jack Byron (Suzanne) Troxell of Champaign; three daughters, Jo Ellen (George) Sandifer of Anthem, Ariz., Trudy Lee Hayna (Paul Rabrich) of Woodstock, and Christy Ann Troxell (Vincent Artale) of Carmel, Ind.; six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. Jack was a graduate of Maroa High School in 1935. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II from 1942-1945, achieving the rank of sergeant. He owned and operated Troxell's Texaco Service Station from 1951-1980. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Champaign, Western Star Masonic Lodge 240 AF&AM, Scottish Rite-Valley of Danville, Ansar Shrine and Illini Shrine Club. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital.

American Passion Play at Bloomington

Last year the American Passion play in Bloomington IL . offered a one day special to all Masonic bodies, the cast and crew would once again like to offer a special rate for the performance on March 22nd 2009. With a current dues card in hand tickets at the door will be reduced to $15.00 and dinner will be $10.00.
Any questions contact C Walden Crouch or Tina Fowler at the Passion Play office (309) 829-3903 Toll Free: (800) 354-9640
www.americanpassionplay.org
ThanksBill TannerHome 309-828-6755