2005 Hall of Fame Inductees

The 2005 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame Inductees are:

• Mrs. Lou Brown, 77, Princeton
• Eunice L. Gingrey, 78, Decatur
• Robert Chappell, 77, Glen Carbon
• Ed Lewis, 84, Canton

Lou Brown (Princeton, Illinois) has volunteered her time to various organizations for more than 50 years. At age 77, she serves as the Vice President of the Henry Thomas Museum Board, co-chairman of the Bloodmobile, President of the Perry Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Board and chairman of the Homestead Festival Publicity. Lou is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the "Outstanding Jayshee" award from the Springfield Jayshees, "Woman of the Year" award from the East Moline American Business Women’s Association and the "Illinois Reached Out" award from former first lady Brenda Edgar. She was also the first woman to win the "Community Builder" award from Princeton Masonic. She is the founder of the Princeton Junior Woman’s Club. Over the years, the Club has raised and donated more than $70,000 back to the community to help prevent child abuse, conduct baby-sitting clinics, provide reading programs for children and retain historic sites around the city. Lou also helped organize the Boys Club of Springfield and the Upper Rock Island YMCA.

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Eunice L. Gingery (Decatur, Illinois) has taught music for 34 years. Ms. Gingery played an integral part in saving the Suzuki Music Program in Decatur’s public schools. She is also the founder of the Creative Center for Learning and a member of the Decatur Senior Center Board, Decatur District 61 School Board, East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board, Symphony Guild Board and First Presbyterian Church Mission Committee. She received the "Woman of Excellence Award" from the YMCA, and the "Distinguished Service Award" from the Illinois Music Educators Association Sigma Alpha Iota also presented her with the "Diamond Sword of Honor," an international award that is only given to 5 people a year.

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Robert "Bob" Chappell (Belleville, Illinois) has directed the Senior Community Service Employment program for the Southwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging for the past six years. In that time, he has placed 38 low-income individuals into permanent employment, surpassing the goal by 200 percent. At the tender age of 77, Bob is also a full-time caregiver for his sister. He is a member of the Work Force Investment Board WIA Area 22, Illinois Employment Training Association and the Illinois Employer Council. Over the years, Bob had volunteered his time to the Easter Seals, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Greater Alton Chamber of Commerce and the United Way.

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Ed Lewis, Jr. (Canton, Illinois) has owned and operated Lewis Pharmacy/Emporium for 60 years. A pharmacist by trade, Ed is the author of three books: Reflections of Canton in a Pharmacist’s Show Globe, Prairie State Pharmacy and The Heald Collection 1895-1903 and has had more than 50 articles published on the history of Canton and the history of pharmacy in the Illinois Pharmacist and Illinois Journal of Pharmacy. Mr. Lewis has served on the Fulton County Arts Council, Canton Heritage Committee, University of Illinois Board of Trustees and the Canton Chamber of Commerce. He has also been named the "Illinois Pharmacist of the Year" and "Canton Citizen of the Year."

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For more information on the Senior Illinois Hall of Fame, contact the Illinois Department on Aging Senior HelpLine.