(Watseka) — A campaign to locate senior citizens who are “Still Going Strong” was held during May. Older American’s Month, by Volunteer Services and Telecare.
The purpose of the campaign was to show that growing old does not necessarily mean poor health and retiring to a rocking chair. This has been very clearly shown by the response of sons and daughter, grandchildren and neighbors, who submitted 54 names of active older people they admired from 64 to 94 years.
The oldest active seniors mentioned were Pearl Volberding, 94, Watseka, Kate Perzee, 93, Danforth, Scotchie Anderson, 90, Donovan, Wesley Marzahn, 90, Cissna Park. Pearl is active in her church and clubs, Kate still cooks for company, Scotchie gardens and shovels snow, and Wesley is helping his son build a house.
Many of the candidates are still in the labor market as waitresses, Lucy Ray, 72, Onarga and Carolyn Deatrick, 78, Gilman, as businessmen Johnnie Newman, 82, Martinton, as farmers, janitors, cooks at the schools and carpenters. Some mow lawns, repair lawn mowers and operate heavy equipment as a source of income.
At 90, Alta Nolin, Cissna Park, has traveled alone to South America and Europe. Laura Marcotte, 85, Ashkum, another avid traveler, “flies, drives and is fast on foot.” Many of the seniors go to Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania or Florida and Hawaii every year.
The “Going Strong” seniors keep busy in their spare time by gardening, canning, crocheting, knitting, reading, doing church work, odd jobs and helping others. Two seniors like to bowl to pass the time, Roy Nichols, 71, Milford and Carl Fiets, 87, Gilman. C. P. Koonce 75, Watseka, rides a snowmobile while Rollin Boughton at 87 has been bicycling now for 3 years. Babiane Lemenager, 82, Ashkum, enjoys shuffleboard and is a champion at her home in Florida.
Some active seniors are married to an equally active person as is Dan and Clara Schlotman, Sheldon, and Carl and Dora Frey, Gilman.
Clara Ingalls, 70, was suggested by several people since all her activities center around helping other people in the Sheldon area.
Several older people are admired because they remain active and alert to the world around them, though a lingering illness of a close family member is a constant drain on their energies. These people have managed to stay on top of a potentially bad situation.
All these people nominated are living their lives to the fullest with not the slightest though that age might be a hindrance.
Still Goin’ Strong!
Source
The Illiana Spirit, Watseka, Illinois, 8 Jun 1977