Ogden Masonic Lodge No. 754

January Newsletter

2012-02-01T06:11:00.001-08:00

20120201080342571

Ogden Lodge Hosts Record Breaking Blood Drive

2012-01-26T07:01:00.000-08:00

Thank You!

On Saturday, January 14th, donors turned out in record numbers to give blood at the Ogden Community Blood Drive at Ogden Lodge--19 pints of blood was donated!

We want to thank everyone that helped to make this a very successful event.

Lodge of Sorrow: Gerald DeVon Meade

2012-01-06T07:15:00.000-08:00

Gerald DeVon Meade

FITHIAN — Gerald DeVon Meade passed away peacefully Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at his daughter’s home in Columbia, Mo., with his family present.

He lived in the Fithian, Ill., area 89 years before selling the family home in April 2005 to move closer to family.

Gerald was born Oct. 27, 1915, to Earl Meade Sr. and Neva Ellen Poage Meade on the old Meade homestead in Fithian. He was the oldest of four sons, M. Ithul, Earl Jr. and Donald.

In 1934, he graduated from Oakwood Township High School, the first of his family to do so. While there, he read every book in the library.

He worked at Hegler Zinc Co. in Danville until October 1941 when he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served as drill sergeant and demolitions expert and earned recognition as sharpshooter.

After discharge in February 1946, he returned to Fithian and ran the Fithian bulk plant for Standard Oil Co. for 30 years. As a trainer-agent, he trained his brothers, Ithul and Donald, the first brothers ever hired by Standard Oil. After retirement in 1975, he returned to farming and worked for Gerald Barnes 25 years before retiring again at age 86.

Gerald met Mary Casari in November 1945. They married May 18, 1946, and had two daughters.

Gerald was very active in the Fithian community, serving more than 50 years on various boards: Fithian Village Board (12 years as mayor); Fithian Grade School Board; Oakwood Township High School Board; and 30 years on the Fithian-Muncie Stearns Cemetery Board.

He initiated and collected donations for a memorial to honor all war veterans. Gerald was a 53-year member of the Mason Ogden Lodge 754; 63-year member of American Legion Post 998 (Ogden); Scottish Rite in the Valley of Danville; lifetime member of Vermilion County Museum and Vermilion County War Museum; lifetime Charter member, National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.; and member of NRA.

Gerald loved the outdoors and roamed the woods and Salt Fork River mushroom hunting, fishing and game hunting. For 61 years he made annual trips to northern Wisconsin to visit family and to fish. He enjoyed several trips to Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada, with his fishing buddy, Raymond VanBuskirk and family. He loved going to the Oakwood truck stop every day to meet friends.

Gerald was a great family man during his 49 married years, enjoying many family dinners and croquet games on the farm as well as euchre and canasta. In later years, he loved cribbage. He was an honest, fair and generous man to all who knew him.

He is survived by his two daughters, Carole Jean (Guy) Rodon and children, Andre Rodon and Melinda (Brant) Campbell; and Robin Jane (Matt) Cadwell and children, Katie Devon Cadwell (Jesse Bond), Emily Cadwell and Alexandra Cadwell; great-granddaughter, Zion Avery Richardson; sister-in-law, Janet Casari; and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on March 28, 1996; his brothers and their spouses; and two brothers-in-law.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 at Sunset’s Oakwood Chapel, Oakwood, with service immediately following. Burial will be at Fithian Stearns Cemetery, with military rites.

Condolences in care of: Sunset’s Oakwood Chapel, 105 E. S. Main St., Oakwood, IL, 61858.

Memorial donations suggested to: Vermilion County Museum or Vermilion County War Museum Society in Danville.

Lodge of Sorrow: Clifford Guthrie

2011-12-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

SIDELL – Clifford D. Guthrie, 84, of Sidell passed away at 7:24 a.m. Friday (Dec. 9, 2011) at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center, Danville.
Clifford was born Sept. 14, 1927, in Indianola. He was the son of Charles and Fern Place Guthrie, but was raised by his stepfather, T.O. Dillon.
He married Rhea Bennett on March 19, 1950, in Sidell. She survives of Danville. Also surviving are one son, Gene Guthrie of Danville, Ind.; two daughters, Sue (John) Batts of Yucca Valley, Calif., and Leslie (Henry) Vasquez of Weston, Fla; one brother, Ray (Kaye) Dillon of Veedersburg, Ind.; 10 grandchildren, Chad Batts, Brandon Batts, Geoffrey Guthrie, Ryan Vasquez, Greggory Guthrie, Gretchen Guthrie, Brittany Vasquez, Gary Guthrie, Gina Guthrie and Gabriela Vasquez; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Fae Guthrie; one brother, Gene Allen Guthrie; and daughter-in-law, Jill Guthrie.
Clifford graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's and a master's degree. He was a teacher at Fairmount for one year. He taught and was an administrator at the Danville public schools for 12 years. Then he was a teacher and administrator for the Bassett Unified School District in California for 20 years. After retiring in California, he returned to Illinois and taught at the Jamaica School for nine years. He also coached elementary basketball and Little League baseball. He taught night school and worked recreation on the weekends.
He was a member of the Sidell United Methodist Church, was a 50-year Mason, and was a life member of the California and Illinois Teachers Associations.
He enjoyed sports and was an avid Cubs and Illini fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Sidell United Methodist Church with Pastor Charlie Graul and Pastor Gene Guthrie officiating, with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Sidell United Methodist Church.
Robison Chapel, Catlin, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.robisonchapel.com.

Lodge Secretary Issues Warning

2011-11-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

Secretary for Life - Illustrious Todd E. Creason, 33rd and all that jazz, has issued an order to members of Ogden Lodge No. 754: "You must obey my commands or risk finding me in your dreams"...

Joe Silkey Recieves Honorary Past Master

2011-10-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

One of the October meeting highlights was when Brother Joseph W. Silkey was recognized for his contributions to Ogden Lodge No. 754 over the last 71 years he has been a member by being awarded with the title Honorary Past Master and receiving a Past Master's gavel from Worshipful Master Aaron Ketchem. As you can see, Joe was even working the night he received the award--sitting in the chaplains chair. Congratulations Joe and thank you for all you've done!

Pancake Breakfast: Saturday, October 15, 2011

2011-10-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

Come and join us on Saturday for our world famous pancake breakfast on Saturday, October 15th, 2011 between 6 AM - 10 AM.

Blood Drive Saturday

2011-09-13T19:22:00.001-07:00

Ogden Lodge No. 754 will host a blood drive:

Saturday September 17 9am-1pm

Ogden Masonic Lodge.

First Degree Tuesday August 23

2011-08-22T19:41:00.001-07:00

Ogden Lodge will hold a first degree on Tuesday August 23 at 7pm in Ogden. Come join us!

Spring 2011 Newsletter

2011-07-01T05:57:00.001-07:00

April 2011 Color

Ogden and Homer Lodges to Hold Joint Meetings July, August, and September

2011-06-29T14:30:00.001-07:00

Brethren,

This is a reminder (or notification) of the joint stated meetings of Ogden and Homer Lodges for the months of JULY, AUGUST and SEPTEMBER 2011. All the meetings will be held at Ogden Lodge, and they will alternate between regular meetings nights as follows.

IN JULY: Homer Lodge and Ogden Lodge will meet together at Ogden on Wed, July 13th at 7:00 PM. There will be no Tuesday meeting in July for Homer Lodge. Ogden Lodge will be responsible for opening and closing and providing refreshments.

IN AUGUST: Homer Lodge and Ogden Lodge will meet in Ogden on Tues, Aug 9th at 7:30. There will be no Wednesday meeting in August for Ogden Lodge. Homer Lodge will be the host and responsible for opening, closing and refreshments after.

IN SEPTEMBER: Homer Lodge and Ogden Lodge will meet at Ogden in Ogden on Wed, Sept 14th at 7:00 pm. There will be no Tuesday meeting in September for Homer Lodge. Ogden Lodge will host and be responsible for opening, closing and refreshments after.

We do this because the Ogden Lodge building is easier to cool and is on the ground floor. We had a lot of fun doing this last year, and Dispensation has been granted to both Lodges from our Most Worshipful Grand Master for these stated meeting changes.

If you have any questions, you can contact Todd Creason at webmaster@toddcreason.org

Ogden-Homer Installation

2011-06-27T20:15:00.000-07:00

Ogden Lodge No. 754 and Homer Lodge No. 199 held a joint installation of officers on Sunday June 25 in Ogden. It was a huge success. We thank all the installing officers for their support of this historic event.

Ogden Lodge Worshipful Master Aaron Ketchum and Homer Lodge No. 199 Chuck Fritz

Ogden Celebration: Ogden Lodge Holds a Successful Pancake Breakfast

2011-06-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

The Village of Ogden held its annual community celebration today, and Ogden Lodge No. 754 held a pancake breakfast. We had a good turnout despite the rain this morning. I thought I'd share a few pictures.

The fun part of the pancake breakfast is it just isn't about the pancakes. Often the residents of Ogden hang around and socialize with their neighbors and friends. They laugh and sometimes make a lot of noise.

Here's WB Brandon Lewis at the head of the table. He's getting married very soon, and we wish him all the best. That's his soon-to-be bride Britanny on the right.

The Ponytail Brigade! The Girl Scouts meet in our building, and they always come and help us with the pancake breakfasts. They take out the pancakes and sausage, ask if the diners want seconds, and even clear off the tables. They always do such a good job. Thank you girls! And moms and dads too!

This is WB Sean McBride of Catlin Lodge in the suit. I was glad to see he got out of jail yesterday in time to come to the breakfast this morning. Considering his dress, I'm wondering if the man he's talking to is his probation officer. Just kidding. Sean was in jail yesterday, and he did call all his friends for bail money, but he was in jail for Jerry's Kids. He does that every year.

This is a dangerous bunch. You see the way he's shaking his finger at me? I think that may be the leader. These are a few members of Catlin Lodge. They always come over for our pancake breakfasts, and this morning, I believe they were leaving there to go over to St. Joe Lodge to perform 4 3rd Degrees this morning. They do a lot of good work all over.

That's it. It was a fun morning. Thanks to everyone that come over for pancakes, and that's to everyone that helped out.

Ogden Lodge Holds Election of Officers

2011-05-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

Every year, we hold elections to determine our officers for the upcoming year. Ogden held theirs during their May meeting. The officers for next year are:

Worshipful Master: Aaron Ketchum
Senior Warden: Greg Knott
Junior Warden: Steve Guess
Treasurer: WB Stephen Hooper
Secretary: WB Todd E. Creason
Chaplain: Butch Schreyer
Senior Deacon: WB Carl D. Lewis
Junior Deacon: RWB Denver Phelps
Senior Steward: WB Dave Harry
Junior Steward: WB Brandon Lewis
Marshall: Brad Edwards
Tyler: Carl D. Lewis

Date of Installation of new officers will be announced when it's determined.

Ogden Lodge History

2011-05-08T10:55:00.000-07:00

Ogden Community Blood Drive: April 30th

2011-04-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Ogden Lodge No. 754 is sponsoring the Ogden Community Blood Drive at the Masonic Lodge in beautiful downtown Ogden, IL between 9 AM - 1 PM on Saturday, April 30th. Come by and drop off a pint if you can spare it. There will be cookies.

WB Denver Phelps Honored by Valley of Danville

2011-04-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

Denver Phelps receives 'Mason of the Year' plaque from D. Michael Brandenburg.

At the conclusion of the Valley of Danville's Spring Reunion on April 2nd, a very surprised Denver Phelps was called to the stage during the reception, and in the presence of the Grand Master of Illinois, Richard Swaney, was presented with the Mason of the Year Award by Danville Commander in Chief, D. Michael Brandenburg.

WB Denver Phelps is a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754, and serves as Secretary for both Ogden Lodge, and Homer Lodge No. 199. He is a Past District Deputy Grand Master, and currently serves as an Assistant District Deputy for the 7th Eastern District.

Congratulations, Denver!

DDGM Visits Ogden Lodge

2011-04-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

7th Eastern District Deputy Grand Master Raymond Cummings made his official visit to Ogden Lodge this month and was presented a copy of Famous American Freemasons Vol I and II by Worshipful Master Todd Creason who is author of this book.