The Reverend George Smith has transformed St. Mark’s church.  George helped his congregation to look outward and grow in a time of transition for the parish.

He is passionate about community involvement with PADS, the PRC, Bridge Communitites, AA, Episcopal Charieites and the GEYFCS, to name a few.  He has united clergy from local churches, temples and mosques and initiated regular meetings.  He also hosts many interfaith presentations and events.  He works tirelessly for St. Mark’s, our community and also for the world.

Dick Mylander - Person of Character August 2011  

Dick Mylander might be retired from his paid job, but no one works harder than Dick.  He gives up his personal time to do repair work and other volunteer jobs around St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  He also is involved in DuPage County’s Habitat for Humanity where he leads construction teams and does hands on work to build homes for the organization.  Dick is all about giving back to his community, but is very modest about all that he does.  He is best described as an “unsung hero.”

Alex has never forgotten his roots in his community.  Alex’s citizenship is evident in his daily life.  Alex donates hundreds of hours of his own time on local committees, foundations, boards and focus groups.  He provides fairness in his professional services at little or no cost and in this way gives back to his hometown.  Alex has built a strong, lasting, caring commitment to his community.  Alex provides the highest level of services earning his trust with all.  Alex Demos trustworthiness, character and high moral ethics are second to none. He is a person worthy of this award.

It is difficult to put into words all of the wonderful traits of character Curtis Rolfe demonstrates.  Little things like moving a garbage can for a neighbor, clearing a path in the woods for others to enjoy, visiting with others when times are good or bad make him a valuable asset to his neighbors and the community as a whole.  He is an incredible grandfather and models love to his grandchildren.

Never an unkind word is spoken of others by Curtis.  He has numerous talents and shares them readily with others – even giving away his gardening secrets.  He creates stain glass windows and is a friend to anyone who seeks friendship.

Curtis is humble and kind.  He exemplifies the traits of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship that are the Six Pillars of Character that form the foundation of the Glen Ellyn Character Coalition.

Craig Hoffman has been an incredible influence of students for multiple decades.  He has run many character-building clubs including the community-oriented club called Builders Club.  Craig has dedicated himself to children through school, church and community.  He has taken students on summer camping trips to the Grand Canyon, East Coast and Canada.  Now parents come back and assist him so their children can experience his kindness, knowledge and love of the country.  He is honest, caring, trustworthy, fair, responsible, respectful and and an overall good citizen.  Craig is one in a million.

Like many whose helpful approach to life is second nature, Glen Ellyn resident Kathy Gilligan doesn’t see herself as anything special. “The things I’m involved with or contribute to all are the result of the efforts of many people,” she says. But those who know her well see her as an example of the six pillars of character in everything she does, whether it’s spray painting old football cleats, chaperoning at a high school event, or volunteering in a project like Valentines for Vets or Glenbard Gives Books.

Those who nominated her as a Person of Character describe her as a welcoming, warm person who makes meals for sick friends, helps out with car pools, and contributes to the community in a hundred ways, many unseen, all done without a thought for recognition or advantage of any kind.

A special education teacher by training, Kathy has lived in Glen Ellyn with her family for 15 years. Two of her three children are out of the house, with one yet in high school. Being of service to others was a family value. “I grew up in Oklahoma in a Catholic household and went to Catholic school. Volunteering was part of the curriculum and required for graduation, so I was a candy striper in a local hospital. I guess that started it. I have always volunteered in church or in the community…things that everybody does. I hope that my husband and I have passed that value along to our children.”

To Kathy, people with a giving spirit make the community what it is. “I love the community. Everyone is willing to do what they can to help. That’s the type of place where you want to live. I still remember the first day we moved here and there I was with a toddler and a moving van…a neighbor came over with bagels and coffee. I thought ‘I’ve moved to the right place.’ When you have experiences like that, it makes you want to pass it on.”

As the director of Adventure Time, an after-school program for elementary children, Deborah Shakin has a strong guiding vision. She developed the program using the best of what she knows about child development combined with what her heart tells her.  “I always fight for children. I am their strong advocate,” says Deborah.

Adventure Time is a Glen Ellyn Park District program that is hosted at Forest Glen and Churchill elementary schools. The children who race into the schools’ gyms every day may be tired or they may be energized, they may have had a day of trials or a day of triumphs. Whatever their frame of mind, they find an environment of respect, an atmosphere of caring, a chance to engage in activities that interest and inspire them, and an invitation to make friends and develop their talents.

Deborah’s interest in child development and child care goes back to her high school days, when she and a teacher launched a neighborhood daycare program. Becoming a mother herself, she provided childcare for her son and for others. When it was time for her son to go to school, she became involved in the home-schooling community and connected with others who were nurturing and believed in helping one another. “From then on, I decided I needed to get into childcare,” says Deborah. She became an after-school program provider for a Waldorf school, which are private schools which emphasize meeting a child’s developmental needs.

Then in 1999, she worked with the Park District to develop and launch Adventure Time. “I would describe Adventure Time as traditional, low-tech and nurturing,” says Deborah. “It’s like you would go to grandma’s house.” Jean Anderson, who nominated Deborah for the Person of Character award, says the program reflects the example that Deborah sets as a person. “Deborah is truly a guiding light for the families and children who utilize Adventure Time. She embodies the six pillars of character. She is selfless and tireless as she creates a safe, warm, educational and inspiring program for the children.” 

After 12 years of being associated with Adventure Time, Deborah still glows when talking about it. “There is always something new, something challenging,” she says. “And it’s where my heart is.”

Long-time Glen Ellyn resident Dave Ludwig is a familiar sight around town as he helps recruit, collect, load, and unload contributions of furniture, housewares, computers and other items for organizations that help needy families make the transition to self-sufficiency, stable housing and a productive life. He helped found the Bridge of Hope in 1990, a transitional housing program run by the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn. He recruits recruit volunteer mentors to work with homeless families in DuPage County. He served on the board of Bridge Communities, a transitional housing program, for 18 years, and run its learning centers where he’s helped many families learn to use computers so that the children can keep up with schoolwork, and the adults can job hunt and connect with the world. And, he was on the founding board and is still active in Sharing Connections, a furniture bank provides essential items like cribs, tables and chairs and sofas to low-income families.

Dave says he got his spirit to help others from his mother. “Our house was near a railroad, and back then people rode the rails looking for work. She thought our house must be marked, because people were always knocking on the door to ask for a meal or something to drink. She always gave it, she never refused.”

Dave met his wife Phyllis while they were students at Muskegon College in Ohio. “The more I knew David,” says Phyllis, “the more I knew that he had those traits I valued: loyalty, consistency, humor. We share the same family values, and that makes life work.”

Dave’s friend and founder of Bridge Communities Bob Wahlgren describes Dave this way: “Dave is an excellent example of every one of the principles in the Pillars of Character, but especially in caring, fairness and trustworthiness.”  

Dave says his volunteer work is rewarding on many levels. “You meet a lot of neat people, those you are helping and those you help with. Some situations are very challenging, but then you see progress. One family I’ll never forget. They came full circle and wrote a contribution check so that they could help others. That was very meaningful.”

Ed Kolar has lived in Glen Ellyn for 40 years and been active in many aspects of the community. He has matter-of-fact outlook on his long history of volunteerism. “There are things that need to be done and you do them,” he says. “It’s part of being a member of the community.”

Ed has a bachelor’s degree in government Oberlin College, and a master’s degree in public affairs from Northern Illinois University. He served in the Air Force for 14 years as an intelligence officer and spent time in Vietnam. Later, he built his career in local government in neighboring Carol Stream.

In Glen Ellyn, Ed served on the village board in the late 1980s, was on the zoning commission for 13 years, has been involved with the United Way and has served in many capacities at his church, First Congregational of Glen Ellyn. While he realizes that his parents influenced him, he describes his generation as one that did not introspect about these things. Serving the community, he says, “was just part of our lives.”

Explains his wife Louise, “Ed is conscientious. He’s not a politician. He does things for the good of the people.” Ed’s friend Bob Wahlgren, who nominated Ed, describes him as a man of principle who is committed to fairness, who strives to truly understand an issue, and who is a good man with a readiness to help a friend in need. 

Today, Ed has a bit of time to devote to his artistic side, and his sunny living room is filled with original oil paintings, many of which show familiar scenes of Glen Ellyn, the community he has loved and to which he has given so much.

John Mulherin is an attorney who has lived his adult life in these suburbs. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago, with a family background he credits with his character. At 15, Mulherin's father came from Ireland to Ellis Island, completely alone. When he developed tuberculosis, the senior Mulherin had no human contact for a solid year. Yet, he became a great role model, a man of confidence, and a great influence for his son. Civic activities began for John Mulherin when he joined the Rotary Club, in 1987. Suddenly, he became “connected” to the community. He has served in various positions for the Village of Glen Ellyn and his firm has done work for Bridge Communities, C.H.A.D. and for Du Page PADS. Currently, Mulherin is on the board for the Glen Ellyn Library Foundation and is president of and helped initiate the Glen Ellyn Child Resource Center. Nominated by Bob Wahlgren as a Person of Character because of his committed care for persons of lower income, Mulherin believes that “there is no greater reward than service to one's community.” To John Mulherin, who feels blessed to have been born American and to have had an opportunity to be educated, giving back is “as natural as shopping for groceries.” 

Pat McCluskey grew up in Glen Ellyn. He was a parishioner at St. Petronille's and graduated from St. Louis University. Because a cousin had served, McCluskey decided to join the Peace Corps and was placed in the country of South Africa. He became fluent in the language of Northern Sotho (pronounced Sutu) and maintains that fluency today, both by correspondence with his original host family and by annual visits back to Africa. McCluskey is a math teacher at Glenbard West and also a wrestling and football coach. Married, the father of four, and now a member of St. James, he and his family hosted for a school year the grandson of his original host in Africa. The boy attended West and had a great example of family life in America. The Peace Corps was a definite positive in McCluskey's life. He saw how important community is and proclaims that the poorest people in Africa were the “happiest people he ever met.” Gilda Ross nominated Pat McCluskey as a Person of Character because of his work for global understanding, especially with his involvement at West with English Language Learners. “Africa is in my heart,” says McCluskey, who is already planning his next trip and inviting colleagues and friends. An annual golf tournament he runs raises needed funds for the African village, as well. McCluskey credits his parents for teaching him to have good manners, to look people in the eye, to be honest – and to do the right thing.

Stuart Steven Stone grew up in Glen Ellyn and will never leave. His father, Stuart Wallace, came here when he purchased the Glen Ellyn News. Both Stuarts have been passionate about the community and wished to give back. Father and then son served in the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, where Stuart Steven is presently 2^nd Asst. Chief after being chief from 1978 until 2001. Mr. Stone inherited his father's business and was editor of the News and its publishing company until he sold it, in 2001. He still serves the Glen Ellyn community on the fire company 7 ½ months a year. When he is not in town, Stone can be found on his 1,000 acre farm near Savannah, IL where he raises Black Angus cattle and grows corn and hay. “Glen Ellyn is a unique community in the amount of volunteerism,” says Stone, who adds, “none more so than the magnitude of the volunteer fire company.” Eddie Ross, a fellow fireman, has nominated Stuart Stone as a Person of Character based on Stone's “strong moral compass and his strength in making unpopular decisions.” Currently in his 47^th year with the fire company, Stone is a man who “has to stay busy to live” and strongly feels that Glen Ellyn is what it is due to the giving character of its residents.

Susie Thomas grew up in the Austin area of Chicago and remembers the National Guard coming to her high school when Martin Luther King was killed and riots broke out in the neighborhood. She recalls the situation as being “more interesting than tense.” Perhaps it is because she grew up in an area rich with culture and was able to sample foods and try religious services and holidays with the mixture of friends she had acquired. Perhaps it is because she had Depression era parents who taught their children to take care of others – and be respectful of differences. Whatever the reasons, Thomas is blessed with optimism. A cloud-filled sky is, to her, “partly sunny.” When she decided to become a teacher, she realized it came naturally to her. And, when she could not find a teaching position, Thomas turned her home into a daycare center. Eventually that led to a teaching position, first at Forest Glen School; and, currently, she is a 5^th grade teacher at Ben Franklin Elementary. Parents of three students have each nominated Susie Thomas as a Person of Character, based on Thomas's unusual availability and concern. Having a mother who read until the end of her life, at 92, surely was a factor.

Thomas admits to “being in the zone” when she is teaching. She reads science books for fun, because she likes to see how things work. Constantly taking more courses, learning even more, Thomas, even in her garden, is thinking about teaching. It is, after all, what she loves to do.

As a family practitioner for Central DuPage Hospital Physician Group, Dr. Kenneth Lee sees patients ranging from newborns to the very aged, from birth to death.  While a busy practice puts heavy demands on him, Kenneth Lee is a physician who walks into an exam room with such a calming presence that each patient feels respected - and heard.  “Balance” is what Dr. Lee believes brought him safely and sanely through the rigors of medical school; and, today, is what keeps him satisfying so many patients in a profession he considers “a privilege.”  He grew up in Wheaton as a Christian, a faith through which he imparts the same principals and joys to his patients.  Going beyond the physical aspects of medicine, Dr. Lee counsels his college-aged patients on choices they will face when away from home, for example.  Outside of his two Glen Ellyn offices, he reaches out to the community by volunteering his medical assistance to patients at People’s Resource Center .  Lucy and William Dallman recommended their family physician as a Person of Character because, in a manner reminiscent of the 1950s, Dr. Kenneth Lee takes the time, truly listens, remembers personal details, and goes out of his way.  In a non-stop world, says Lucy Dallman, Dr. Lee is a “reassuring presence in our medical care system.”

Sandra M. Pihos has been a resident of Glen Ellyn since 1973; and, in all of that time, she has practiced being a good citizen and giving back to the community.  When her children were young, she and her husband donated food items from their McDonald’s restaurants for events at Parkview School .  Later, Pihos served on the School District 87 board, serving as its president for two years.  For the past seven years, Sandra Pihos has been working for this community on the state level, as representative for the 42^nd district.  Bob Wahlgren nominated her as a Person of Character because he witnessed her work in Springfield and stresses that Pihos “crosses party lines” to get things done, particularly in the areas of helping low income individuals and with educational issues.  A former teacher and guidance counselor, representative Pihos has been involved with the DuPage Housing Action Coalition, the state commission of the elimination of poverty, the Illinois House Teen Poverty Task Force, Family Shelter Service, and the Illinois Hunger Coalition – just to name a few.  When she lost her youngest child, Pihos turned her grief into action and founded “Michael’s Place” Literacy Center .  Numerous awards include ones from Western DuPage Special Recreation Association and DuPage Center for Independent Living.  Sandra Pihos supports and is a member of local organizations such Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare.  While her work is in Springfield , her heart and her thoughts remain here in Glen Ellyn .

It was a simple bump under his arm.  When Sharon Marston learned that her husband Jack’s diagnosis was melanoma, she was relieved.  The fact that he “only had skin cancer” was just the beginning of a journey she now embraces.  Jack was young, athletic, and the Marstons sought the best care Chicago had to offer.  Despite the courageous efforts of Dr. John Richards from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital , Jack’s cancer was too aggressive.  He died just nine months after his diagnosis.  Jack left four children and a wife who wanted desperately to do something.  Sharon had learned that skin cancer has little research.  When funds poured in, someone suggested a 5K run, to jump start this research and to help educate the public.  At the first race in 2004, Sharon expected 300 people.  Five times that many attended.  To Sharon , looking through the October dew in Ackerman Park , it looked as if “they were coming out of the clouds.”  A foundation has been set up and $300,000 has been raised for melanoma research through This Run’s for Jack funding.  A scholarship called “Game On” has been set up at Glenbard West in Jack’s memory.  Best of all, lives have been saved.  Volunteer dermatologists do free skin checks before each annual run.  Donated sunscreens are distributed as well as pamphlets explaining proper sun protection.  Jacksfund.org reveals the wide-reaching realm of this foundation.  Gilda Ross has nominated Sharon Marston as a Person of Character because of Marston’s efforts to “marshal the entire community to make a difference in the lives of so many.”  For Sharon , it is a way to “fight back.”  As she explains, melanoma is “a disease we can avoid getting.”

Karen Evans grew up in an Orland Park of sod and other farms which surrounded a (then) small community.  Her parents were educators.  Evans’ mother, as a Chicago teacher, always worked with at least some low-income students.  Her father, now a widower, is involved with hospice.  Perhaps that is the source from which Evans draws her compassion.  A former healthcare consultant, Evans has “always known” of the need within Glen Ellyn School District #41.  With a son in Abraham Lincoln School , which was the first school to receive refugees through World Outreach, and another son at Hadley Middle School , Evans has observed a particular need for school supplies.  Realizing that this shortage also included students in district #89, she worked with parents, the PTA, and school social workers to form Supplies 4 Success.  More than $14,000 was raised this past summer and 700 Glen Ellyn school children were given school supplies and backpacks.  This occurred in the fall of 2009, when 100 Glen Ellyn children began the school year with the unfortunate status of being homeless. Julie Worthen nominated Karen Evans as a Person of Character for organizing and leading the successful effort.  Evans remains focused as her current endeavor is to obtain for students winter outerwear, an expense not affordable to families devastated by illness or job loss.  The best perk for Karen Evans?  “My boys have met children from all over the world and in difficult situations.  They have no prejudice.”

Past Year's Recipients:                                                                            

2009 -Zach Pehta, Dr. Douglas Johnson, Cleveland Holmes, Janice Langford, Kim Reed, Dr. Michael Meissen, Captian Ken Miles,Margaret Hernandez, Aruna Sethupathi

2008 - Mary Loch, Amy Hohulin, Dick Winans, Anne Bouchard, Kathy Schmidt, Becky Beilfuss, Leland Livingston, Susan Steward, Randy Parker, Valencia Breckenridge

2007 - William Leensvaart, Rom Leonard, Karen Click,  Cleo Burtis,Debbie Rearick, Connie Pecover, Ray & Jeanna Essick, Marion Mc Kinney

2006 - Denise  Olton,Ken Bucheit,Fred & Margaret Nauer, Kim Opem, Maureen Joiner, Paul & Jean Mooring, Pam Zimmerman, Linda Richman

2005 - Ed Coman, Jenny Fischer, Steve Webster, Joe Wark, Carol Asselmeier, Linda Adamik, Deanie Locante, Karen Hill, Glen Scott/Penny Linneweh.

2004 - Thomas Bond, Nanette Bauer, Kathy Krebsbach, Jane Sienkiewicz, Kay McKeen, Bob Walhgren, Kay Storm, Elizabeth Neurant, Richard Dunn


For a complete list of past recipients in alphabetical order, please click here.