"Peanuts" Lowery worked at the Ko-Op in the Mid - Sixties.

Kenneth "Ken" Irl Lowry

Nov. 21, 1948 - Dec. 28, 2022

TOLEDO - Kenneth "Ken" Irl Lowry, age 74, of Toledo, IL, passed away at 12:28 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL.

A funeral service in his honor will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL, 61938. Reverend Ron Dickinson will officiate. The visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Ken was born on November 21, 1948, to the late Donald Thomas and Ruth Elizabeth (Haverstock) Lowry. He married Mary Ann Rochat on November 21, 2003, in Toledo, IL; she survives and resides in Toledo, IL.

He is also survived by two daughters: Alisha Rose Lowry and significant other, Matt Boruff of Greenup, IL, Kerry Ilene Lowry of Teutopolis, IL; one brother, Chuck Lowry of Newbern, TN; one sister, Carol Lowry and significant other, Jerry VanBellehem of Mattoon, IL; five grandchildren: Jaykob, Julia, Emma, Ian, and Orion. He was preceded in death by one brother, Thomas Lowry.

Ken was a member of the basketball team at Stewardson-Strasburg High School where he graduated in 1966. He joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country from 1967-1973. After his honorable release he accepted a letter carrier position at the United States Postal Service in Mattoon, IL, and retired in 2003, after many years of dedicated service. He was a member of the American Legion of Neoga, IL, and the Eagle's Club of Mattoon, IL.

Embracing his lifelong love of music, Ken enjoyed singing and playing guitar in several of the local bands. He also had a passion for gardening and took great pride in canning and freezing his produce. His sense of humor was often ignited as he shared the proceeds of his labor with friends and family. Many times, the recipient was entertained by his quick wit and banter regarding the goods.

A dedicated family man, Ken exhibited an incredible adoration for his wife, children, and grandchildren. His memory and the positive values and character he instilled will live on.

Memorials in his honor may be made to Autism Acceptance Cumberland County, 649B County Road 1450 E, Toledo, IL, 62468; or Peace Meal, C/O Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation, 1000 Health Center Drive, Mattoon, IL, 61938.

2022 Christmas Greeting

Our Seasons Greetings
The link below will connect you to the greeting card and our annual letter.
https://eduscapes.com/wp/most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/

 

Merry Christmas 2021

And Happy New Years to everyone.

 

Remembering Ted's Warehouse

Locally produced (Charleston, IL local) documentary by Eastern Illinois University Journalism Instructor, Joe Astrouski. Remembering Ted's Warehouse (Program length almost 60 minutes) tells the story of 'Ted's in Charleston, thru band members, staff, and patrons, and the impact this former venue had on those that visited and performed there.

Ted's Warehouse was a bar and entertainment establishment that opened in Charleston in April 1971. The former shipping warehouse is adjacent to the railroad tracks on the north end of Charleston. Ted's Warehouse closed in 1996 when 67-year-old Ted Butuca died, but Bertuca's legacy lives on through the patrons and bands that graced the floors and stages of the Warehouse building. Ted Bertuca can be found at Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124773916/theodore-r-bertuca More information at Facegroup private group: I used to go to Ted's Warehouse.

'Little' Marty: Recognized As Outstanding Doctor

Jean and Larry Mizener's kids all worked at the Ko-Op and Short Stop as young children. Marty was the youngest. Remember those two silver teeth (His baby teeth were injured and the silver caps put in place).

Today 'Little Marty' is an ophthalmologist at Midwest Eye Care in Omaha, Nebraska (Learn more at the webpage). Dr. Martin Mizener was recently recognized as a 'Best Doctor' in the Omaha Magazine for Premier Doctors.

Jim Mizener Died, November 2020

A Ko-Op connection died from complications of Covid19. Jim Mizener, Larry's younger brother, lived upstairs with us at the Ko-Op, and he worked at Walt's. His obituary:

James William Mizener
Born: October 8, 1942
Died: November 14, 2020

Jim Mizener, District 99's biggest fan, went home to Jesus on November 14. At 78 years young, he died of complications from internal bleeding, after battling COVID-19 for 14 days at Good Samaritan Hospital, fighting to the last and even making a "comeback" from double pneumonia the day before his homegoing. Jim was born on October 8, 1942 in a little farmhouse in Lisle and lived his entire life in the Downers Grove area. He was born to William and Thelma Mizener and was the 2nd youngest of seven siblings: Floyd, Larry, Loretta, (who also died from COVID-19 along with her beloved husband Stan), Carol, and Verna, and Judi, the youngest.

Jim attended Downers Grove North (DGN) for one year before moving to the newly constructed Lisle High School, graduating in 1960. He was thrilled to attend Eastern Illinois University where his older brother had attended, and he was extremely involved in the sports scene in Charleston.

He married his wife Diane Goddard, also a teacher at Downers Grove South High School (DGS), in 1967. They were happily married over 53 years. As an architect, Jim designed the house they lived in for 52 years on Dunham Road. He was the proud father of daughters Becky and Laurie and loved spending time with his granddaughters, who are athletes, artists and musicians in North Carolina and Colorado.

He dedicated his entire career to DGS and later to DGN as well. He began as the drafting/architecture teacher at DGS in 1965 and also served as the head of the Industrial Technology Department. Immediately upon retirement, he went back to work at DGS as an aide. He also taught architecture classes at the College of DuPage and worked as a freelance architect together with dear friend and fellow DGS teacher Dave Claus.

Jim worked at DGS for fifty-five years as a teacher, department chair, and public address announcer for hundreds of sporting events. His influence and guidance led many of his students to become architects throughout the Midwest. He is remembered by alumni and current students of the school as the "Voice of the Mustangs," his voice as much a part of football games at DGS as the fall air and the sound of the marching band. He announced every event possible in District 99 and even beyond. Always wanting to help on his "days off," he also served as a volunteer at First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove where he was often seen helping in the parking lot and greeting worshippers.

Jim was a beloved figure in Downers Grove. He possessed a unique ability to make one feel like he was a lifelong friend within minutes of meeting him. He was instrumental in founding the DGS Athletic Hall of Fame to which he was inducted in 2005. This was an honor he cherished and one he bestowed upon dozens of former DGS athletes and coaches. He was also inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. Jim helped secure sponsorship for a new electronic scoreboard for the baseball team and diligently maintained the sports display cases at school. Jim loved sports and loved getting to know students even more. He took a genuine interest in people and lovingly mentored generations of students, as noted by one family impacted by him: "he was the definition of the best in humanity. He represented a true gentleman with impeccable character, integrity, work ethic, strong faith, love for family, and sincere care and dedication to helping students and athletes succeed in every aspect of life." Jim is remembered by friends, family, former students, and community members as genuine, caring, kind, honest, and passionate.

One former student called him an "absolute gentleman," a sentiment echoed by dozens of friends and colleagues. His friends at the scorer?s table at DGS basketball games promise to remember him at every tip off, and in the press box with every kickoff on the football field; it's impossible for them to imagine watching a game without Jim, as he only missed one home football game in the last 15 years.

Jim is survived by his wife, Diane, his siblings Carrol Mizener Paranto, Verna Mizener Burleigh, and Judith Mizener Calhoun, his beloved children Laura Mizener and Rebecca Mizener Burnett, and his cherished grandchildren Kathleen Burnett, Anissa Burnett, Sophia Burnett, Anneli Burnett, and Aleah Edwards.

A memorial service will sadly not be held at this time because of restrictions, and Jim's wish to keep everyone safe from COVID-19. The simplest way to honor Jim is to wear your mask and avoid gatherings large and small, even with extended family unless precautions are carefully taken--- no one can be too careful. He knew how many were praying for him, he was so very thankful, and the doctors were amazed how hard his body was fighting to defeat the virus and the severe double pneumonia. He remained positive, determined, and cheerful to the very end, when he quite unexpectedly began to bleed internally. Even going into the ICU Jim had a good grip and a positive attitude. Plans will be announced for a memorial service at a later date, which can allow those who wish to honor his impact on his friends and community to do so.

Jim's ashes will be interred at Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name can be made to the Jim Mizener Scholarship Fund, care of Community High School District 99, South High School, 1436 Norfolk Street, Downers Grove, IL 60516.

Additional information from local media:
https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/11165/bf837fc0-1ca3-11e6-b537-22000bd8490f/2186531/51c99320-2b46-11eb-bc80-128dac9d5513/file/111920%20Jim%20-%20SL.pdf

Merry Christmas 2020 - Things Were Just Not Right

(Click on image above for largest view)

And click on the link to read our annual letter.
https://eduscapes.com/lamb/2020letter.pdf