Illinois Hall of Fame needs nominees

The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac is seeking nominations for its Class of 2007, reports the Pontiac Daily Leader.

Nominations may be submitted to: Route 66 Association of Illinois, Attention: Hall of Fame Committee, 110 W. Howard St., Pontiac, IL 61764.

Deadline for receiving the applications is March 10.

Induction ceremonies will be on June 9 at Springfield at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center. […]

Hall of Fame honorees include people and businesses that helped Route 66 in Illinois create its flavor and character. […]

Nominations may be submitted regarding anyone or a business that contributed to the history and heritage on the “Mother Road,” the release said.

The nomination should be brief – not more than four pages, a fact-filled story about the nominee’s history along Route 66 in Illinois. Photos, news clippings and other memorabilia are welcome, but not required.

Current members of the Hall of Fame are here, but I’m also listing them here for convenience:

1990

Ernie Edwards, Pig Hip Restaurant – Broadwell
John Geske & J.P. Walters, Dixie Truckers Home – McLean
Francis Marten, Our Lady of the Shrine – Raymond
Francis Mowery, Illinois State Police – Pontiac
Russell Soulsby Shell Service Station – Mt. Olive

1991

Metha Paulsen Jensen Paulsen, (Carefree) Motel – Dwight
“Cotton” McNabney, Cotton’s Village Inn – Bloomington
Ed Waldmire Family, Cozy Dog Drive-In – Springfield

1992

Ariston Cafe and the Adam Family – Litchfield
Steve and Glaida Funk – Funk’s Grove – Shirley
Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket – Willowbrook
John Stonecipher – Stoney’s Service – Odell

1993

Chester D. Henry – Illinois State Police – Pontiac
Ervin Kolarik – Chicken Basket Restaurant – Willowbrook
Effie Marx – Waitress – Dwight
Bill Shea – Shea’s Finest Truck Covers – Springfield

1994

Hubert Henry – Truck Driver – St. Louis
Rodino Square and the Carmen Rodino Family – Pontiac
The Riviera Roadhouse and Restaurant – Gardner

1995

Grace Brown – Larry & Debbie Lucas – Howard E. & MariAna McAnarney –
Art’s Restaurant – Farmersville
The Benedict Family – McLean
H. Burt Parkinson – Editor – Gardner
G. J. Mecherle – State Farm Insurance – Bloomington

1996

Log Cabin Restaurant – Marjorie O’Brien – Brad & Debbie Trainer – Pontiac
Eddie’s Pure Truck Stop/Eddie’s Union 76 Truck Stop – Edward and Marjorie Baize – Towanda
Wilton Rinkel – Farmer – Edwardsville
Maurice Irvin – Irvin Brothers – Inc. – Bloomington

1997

Rev. Dean “Shug” Benton – Truck Driver – Bloomington
Albert Cassens & the Cassens Transport Company – Edwardsville & Hamel
Hay Brothers Garage – Ralph M. & Frank Hay – Divernon
Dick Jones Garage – J. Richard Jones – Odell

1998

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge – Madison
Oasis Drive-In – Arline and Elmo Winterland – Lexington
Sky View Drive In – Litchfield
White Fence Farm – Hastert Family – Romeoville

1999

Casey’s Garden Shop – Bloomington
FitzHenry Oil Company – Joliet
Brandtville Restaurant – Robert D. (Bob) Johnson – Bloomington
Rialto Square Theater – Joliet

2000

Augusta “Gussie” Keller – Pontiac
Joe Edwards – Gas Station Operator – Lincoln
Launching Pad Drive-In – Wilmington
District 6 – Illinois State Police Headquarters – Pontiac

2001

Coliseum Ballroom – Benld
DeCamp Junction Tavern – south of Staunton
Standard Oil Gas Station – Odell
Watt Brothers Pharmacies – Springfield

2002

Gordon Gunderson – Gardner
Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant – Chicago
Polk-A-Dot Drive -In – Braidwood
Fred Schlechte Family – Worden “Y” Service Station – Worden
The Bill Shea Family – Springfield
Lenore & John Weiss – Wilmington

2003

Andy Granatelli – Chicago
Fassero Oil Company – Benld
Mt. Olive Union Miners Cemetery – Mother Jones Monument – Mt. Olive
Wishing Well Motel – LaGrange

2004

Forest Grey Family – Gas Station & Café – Braceville
Luna Café – Mitchell
Rita Erickson – Owner and Operator Odell Shelter Inc. – Odell
Streetcar Diner – Gardner

2005

Angelo Aggelopoulos – Wilmington
Chenoa Pharmacy, Chenoa
Ambler-Decker Historic Gas Station – Dwight

2006

Willie Anderson Trucking – Lexington
The Berghoff Restaurant – Chicago
Scotties (originally the Tourist Haven) – Hamel
Leland Storm, a retired Illinois State Police trooper – Litchfield