Wake up and meet our
new members!

Bethanie Brooks    WELCOME, Bethanie!

Bethanie Brooks was born and raised in Peru, Illinois. She graduated from LaSalle-Peru Township High School in 2007, and then from Illinois Valley Community College with an Associates in Science degree in the spring of 2010. Bethanie moved to Macomb in the summer of 2010 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management with a minor in Community Health. She chose Western Illinois University because it was the only university in the state offering the Emergency Management program. Her choice grew out of her experience working with volunteer agencies in that field since she was 12 years of age. She started as a member at her local Red Cross Chapter by taking classes and becoming a Disaster Action Team member. She also became a member of the local Community Emergency Response Team, and Medical Reserve Corps through LaSalle County. Subsequently, she felt the field of Emergency Management was right as a career. Bethanie is a full-time student at WIU, and works for the University as its Emergency Preparedness Student Assistant. Why Lions? She met Lion Trisha Simmons the first semester she attended WIU at the Wesley Foundation, a Methodist-based campus ministry. Over the past year they became great friends. When she told Trisha she felt she needed to become more involved with the community and be able to help others, Trisha brought Bethanie to her first-ever Macomb Lions Club meeting. She knew it was exactly the type of organization fitting her desire to become more involved with people in the community. Her goal as a Lion is to help serve to the best of her ability, to help those in need, and make a difference. Bethanie can’t wait to see what being a member of the Macomb Lions Club has in store for her.

Victor Lidaywa    WELCOME, Victor!

Victor Lidaywa was born in Nairobi, Kenya (East Africa). He left Nairobi when he was years old and has lived in the United States for the past 15 years. He grew up with 5 younger brothers, 3 of whom live in the United States and 2 in Kenya. He graduated from Aquinas High School, Nairobi, in 1990, and ran a successful restaurant in Kenya, which is still being run by a brother.  Following his graduation from Western Illinois University in 2005 with a degree in biology, he enrolled in graduate school at University of Michigan. He graduated MU with a doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2009, and currently works as a physical therapist with McDonough District Hospital. Victor married Lora Webster from West Point, IL. They have been married for 11 years, and have three children—Braxton (8), Bryson (3), and Brixley (9 months).  His wife is employed by Western Illinois University as a Purchasing Officer within the Purchasing Department. When not working he is involved with family trips and vacations, traveling, music, fitness (body building), coaching soccer, watching football, playing golf, fishing, and food. Victor would like one day to establish exchange volunteer programs aimed at helping the most vulnerable and most needy in developing countries. Victor was approached by Kenneth Kuedell, a retired WIU biology professor and a Macomb Lions member, who inquired, if he might be interested in joining the Lions Club.  Since he knew about the Lions Club through their work in Kenya and their joint activities with St. John’s Ambulance Brigade and the Presidential Award Scheme—organizations which he had been an active member of while in Kenya—he attended a meeting, joining shortly thereafter. Victor hopes to act as a liaison between his club and other voluntary based organizations in order to maximize outreach services and benefits to the community. He would also like to find ways of establishing links with inter-nationally based foundations and/or organizations with the hope of enabling his local Club to serve globally.

John White    WELCOME, John!

John White was born in Burlington, Iowa, and then raised on a farm just south of the Quad Cities, where he has spent most of his adult life. He is the last of seven children. His father was a fertilizer salesman, and over time bought the farm in pieces until he could start a new career on the land. He grew common farm crops while his eldest brothers started learning horticulture. Eventually the family business became a landscaping and greenhouse operation.  He has studied at Blackhawk College and Western Illinois University. He is currently a financial advisor with Edward Jones here in Macomb. He spent almost 20 years in retail, including management at Target stores. Most recently he has spent 10 years in financial services, including his current employment with Edward Jones.  Outside of work he enjoys riding his bicycle, working out, hiking, and golf. Personally, having some hearing impairment, he looks forward to working with the Macomb Lions Club throughout the future; particularly with the Hearing Committee.

Dean Roberts    WELCOME, Dean!

Dean Roberts was born at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, WA. He grew up in a military family, spending time in the Philippines, Germany, Oregon, and Illinois. Dean graduated from Urbana High School in Urbana, Illinois.     Dean served six years in the United States Marine Corps.  He attended Parkland College in Champaign, IL, then attended Western Illinois University, completing his MS in 1999 and a MBA in 2007.     Currently Dean serves as a Systems Administrator at WIU, where he has been employed since 1999. He is also a Cub Scout Den Leader for Pack 300 in Macomb, as well as being the Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner for the Medicine Lodge District of the Illowa Council of the Boy Scouts of America.     He enjoys scouting, camping, hiking, cycling, reading, and keeping up with the latest technology.     He is married to Linda (Gehlin) Roberts.  They have one son, William, who is eight years old.     In addition to the on-going mission of lionism—sight/blind, hearing/deaf, and diabetes—he looks forward to participating in many of the Macomb Lions Club’s community service projects.

Bryant Mahlstedt                WELCOME, Bryant!

Bryant Mahlstedt was born in Mason City, Iowa, on July 18, 1987. He attended elementary school in Nora Springs, Iowa, and Rockford, Iowa. Then his family moved to Urbandale, Iowa, where he attended middle school. His parents decided they liked small towns better then the city, so for his last four years of school his parents moved the family to a small town called Bagley. He then attended high school in Panora, Iowa.     He has had many jobs since he graduated, starting with processing bio-diesel at a factory in Brewster, Minnesota, for six months. After that he sold Kirby vacuums door to door for two years in Des Moines, Iowa, then worked at Subway for two years back in Panora, Iowa, then at Cargill for six months in Panora. All of his jobs gave him the experience to know what he wanted to do with his life.     In 2010 he decided he needed to go to college, because he wanted to be a computer programmer, and his uncle, Dr. Eric Botts, offered to let him live with him rent free while he attended WIU in Macomb. This is how he met Dr. Subhash Jani, and in turn how he met the wonderful people at the Lions Club and became a member. He is now looking forward to many more years in Macomb, along with being active in the Lions Club.

Tara Beal    WELCOME, Tara!

Tara Beal was raised on a farm outside Industry, Illinois, and graduated from Industry High School in 1996.  She attended Western Illinois University and received her BS in Agricultural Business in 1999.  She has been employed at WIU for 10 years as a student worker, gardener, campus planner, adjunct horticulture instructor, and currently holds the position of Superintendent of Landscape Maintenance.           She and her husband, J.D., live in Adair with their two sons, Jarrett, 7, and Jack, 3.  When she’s not chasing her boys around, she enjoys racing, gardening, snowmobiling, and nearly anything that takes her outdoors.  After attending her first meeting of the Lions Club as a guest, she knew immediately Lionism was an ideal she could embrace!

Traci DeWitt    WELCOME, Traci!

Traci DeWitt grew up in Westmont, Illinois, and graduated from high school there, as well.  While in high school she was very busy with babysitting jobs.  During summer vacations she was a nanny for one family throughout all of her summers during high school.  She spent spring breaks volunteering at Camp Courage in Iowa.  She truly felt her calling in life was to serve the needs of others, never thinking of her jobs as true jobs, but just part of her life.      She is a graduate of AIU with a BA degree and a minor in Health Care Management.  She has been working with seniors for 9 years.  Before that Traci worked as a nanny for 17 ½ years, as well as running a homeless shelter for 6 ½ years where she was blessed to meet her husband Brent.       They have been married for 13 years and have two wonderful sons.  Our son Chase is 11 and Grayson is 7.  Her love in working with the elderly shows up in her children, who also enjoy spending time with older individuals. Traci began her career with Bickford in St. Charles, Illinois, as the Life Enrichment Coordinator a year ago.  Within the last three months she moved to Macomb as the Director of Bickford of Macomb. There is not a day that goes by that she feels she does not learn something new—you are never too old to learn or teach something new.      Although her knowledge of Lionism started years ago, as she was being raised by her grandparents (her grandfather was a Lion member in his community for years) she admits her excitement to finally have the time and opportunity to join a Club on her own.  She is looking forward to contributing to the Macomb Lions Club as, We Serve, together!

Mary Prueter    WELCOME, Mary!

Mary Prueter was born in Beardstown, Illinois, and grew up as a P.K. (preacher’s kid), living wherever her father was assigned a pastorate. She graduated from Roseville High School.      Mary married and raised four children, who in turn have given her eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She met her present husband, Lion Bruce Prueter, while attending a bereavement program in which Bruce was also enrolled. Mary and Bruce were married in August of 2002, and live on Bacon Woods Lane in Macomb.      After many years working for the McDonough County Nutrition Sites (Blandinsville, Colchester, Industry, and Macomb) associated with the Macomb YMCA, as well as being involved as a Tour Guide for the YMCA’s Bus Tour program—both of which she liked very much,—she retired.      Mary likes to sing, cook, garden, be with her grandchildren, entertain, and decorate her home for various holidays; especially, for the forthcoming Holiday Season. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and, since she likes to be helpful to others, she is looking forward to serving others through Lionism.

Cherie Lockhart             WELCOME, Cherie!

Cherie Lockhart grew up on a farm in Good Hope, Illinois.  Her father and mother still farm in the Good Hope area. She has two sisters and a brother—she is the youngest.  Her sisters live in Macomb, while their brother is an MD in Pekin, Illinois.  Cherie has an 8-year-old son, Joshua, who is a third grader at Lincoln Elementary School here in Macomb.  He is a huge sports fan!     After high school Cherie attended Western Illinois University for a couple of years, eventually transferring to Midstate College in  Peoria, where she received her associates degree in Applied Science.  She started her optical career in 1986 working in Dr. Terry Vail's office in Macomb.  She moved back to Peoria to work at Lenscrafters and in a private optometrist's office until early 2003.        In 2003 Cherie received her real estate license and joined Jim Maloof Realtors in Peoria.  While selling real estate she worked as an optician at an optometrist's office.  In 2005, “I moved back to Macomb to be near family and to have safer schools for my son to attend.”  Since 2005 Cherie has been the Manager of the Vision Center in the Walmart Supercenter here in Macomb.

Patricia Simmons             WELCOME, Patricia!

Patricia Simmons (Trisha) is a 19-year-old student at Western Illinois University in Macomb; however, the real story is how she got here! She is from Round Lake, Illinois, where she says, “I lived with my wonderful family. I have two great parents, Lion Mary, and Zone Chair Lion Marty Reading. I also have two sisters, Lion Catherine Simmons (20) and Rebecca Simmons Reading (14). I graduated from Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein in 2010, and now I'm at WIU majoring in elementary education. I'm really looking forward to working with children in first and second grades!” Interestingly enough, when the family brought Trisha to visit the Western campus during the late summer, they brought her to a an evening Macomb Lions Club meeting. It seemed they had researched the Club and determined it would be a good fit for their daughter while attending the University.      Trisha can still remember when she first became involved with a Lions Club. When she was in first grade she started by going to events promoted by the Gagewood Lions Club where both of her parents were members. The Club let her help work at the county fair, selling Christmas trees, going to meetings, and helping with community events! “My parents were always stressing helping others, because when you help others, you get to live life to the fullest; and, I love being happy!”      She feels her parents have both been great examples of what it takes to be a Lion. Her mother served as Secretary for the Gagewood Lions, and for a long while was editor for the district newsletter. Her father has served in all sorts of ways—everything from being the Tail Twister, then President, to presently serving as a Zone Chair for district 1-F. She joined the Gagewood Lions Club while in 5th Grade. One day Trisha hopes to have the privilege of serving in one of those positions.      Her goal as a Lion is to be able to help others who are in need, making a difference and helping people the way others have helped her. “Involvement with a Lions Club has shown me what is possible—after all, that is how I got here! I am looking forward to being an associate member of the Macomb Lions Club.”

 

           Welcome to Macomb Lions Club!

     

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Updated 11/21/10
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