Recent Winners and Dedications

Coloma Township Park District

508 East 11th Street

Rock Falls, Illinois 61071

Phone: 815-625-0272 Fax: 815-625-5131 E-Mail:ctpd4fun@essex1.com

Administrative Office Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday

Recent Winners and Dedications

New “Commissioners’ Garden” Memorial Bench and Flagpole Dedication

Representatives of the Darrel D. Davis and Chris R. Davis Families as well as members of the Coloma Township Park District Board of Commissioners gathered for the Official Dedication Ceremony of a new memorial park bench and plaque, as well as the new flagpole located in the new Commissioners’ Garden in Centennial Park in Rock Falls. Darrel Davis, a deceased former Park District Commissioner who served for 10 years on the Park Board from December 1974 to August 1984 was honored by his family and friends. Struck down by cancer in 2003, Chris Davis, the son of Darrel, was also memorialized. The new memorial bench and flagpole are part of a new major memorial area designated as the “Commissioners’ Garden” in honor of all past, present and future commissioners who have served and who will serve the Rock Falls Community.

The Commissioners’ Garden included the installation of exposed aggregate sidewalks, a decorative colored stamped brick design around the perimeter, a 42 inch high octagonal wall encircling a beautifully landscaped area with the flagpole in the center. Other amenities include 4 decorative concrete light poles with hanging basket apparatus for flowers. The entire area was landscaped by McCormick’s Nursery of Sterling.

The Commissioners’ Garden, when all benches are sold, will contain 34 concrete memorial benches with a bronze plaque installed in the center of the back rest on each bench. Families are welcome to purchase a bench and memorial plaque by contacting the Park District Office at 625-0272.

Director Michael P. Sterba stated that the construction of the “Commissioners’ Garden is now complete and that the memorial benches will be installed as they are purchased by the general public. Sterba said that response to the Commissioners’ Garden has been great and that 20 benches have been sold thus far. Sterba stated that the park looks great and that visitors to the park are really enjoying the new facility.

Pictured left to right – seated:

Jeff Davis – Son of Darrel Davis

Gary Martin – Brother-in-Law

Genilda De Oliveria – Sister-in-Law

Cristiane & Max Davis – Wife & Son of Chris Davis

Judy Davis & J.D. Davis – Wife and Grandson of Darrel Davis

Brian Walker – Nephew of Darrel Davis

Back Row Standing: Family and Friends of the Davis Family

New “Commissioners’ Garden” Memorial Bench and Landscaping Dedication

Representatives of the John and Marian Vickrey Family as well as members of the Coloma Township Park District Board of Commissioners gathered for the Official Dedication Ceremony of a new memorial park bench and plaque, as well as the beautiful landscaping located in the new Commissioners’ Garden in Centennial Park in Rock Falls. John Vickrey, a deceased former Rock Falls City Council Member, and his wife Marian, a retired bank loan officer from Rock Falls Savings and Loan, were honored by their family and friends. Marian Vickrey, who now resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, stated that the memorial bench was for the years she and John had together and that she donated the landscaping because of her love for the outdoors. The new memorial bench and landscaping are part of a new major memorial area designated as the “Commissioners’ Garden” in honor of all past, present and future commissioners who have served and who will serve the Rock Falls Community.

One special family member who attended was Daniel Frankfother, a cousin of Marian Vickrey, and who was the Chief Site Engineer when Centennial Park was constructed in 1968. Frankfother worked for Willette and Hoffman Engineering out of Dixon. Frankfother stated that at the beginning of construction in 1968, Centennial Park was a swamp area and that the current day lagoons were drudged out to provide soil to raise the rest of the ground in the park.

Pictured left to right:

George Ritenour – Cousin of Marian Vickrey

Rose Ritenour – Cousin of Marian Vickrey

Joyce Frankfother – Cousin of Marian Vickrey

Daniel Frankfother – Cousin of Marian Vickrey

Marian Vickrey

Barbara Kobbeman – Daughter of Marian Vickrey

New “Commissioners’ Garden” Memorial Bench and Plaque Dedication

Representatives of the Lila Olson Family as well as members of the Coloma Township Park District Board of Commissioners gathered for the Official Dedication Ceremony of a new memorial park bench and plaque located in the new Commissioners’ Garden in Centennial Park in Rock Falls. Lila was a longtime member of the Rock Falls American Legion Auxiliary.

Pictured left to right:

Jim Olson – Son of Lila Olson (standing)

Al Olson – Son of Lila Olson

Linda Newlon – Daughter of Lila Olson

Paul Harms – Brother of Lila Olson

Lorelei Brosdal – Daughter of Lila Olson

Lana Clarke – Daughter of Lila Olson (standing)

New “Commissioners’ Garden” Memorial Bench and Plaque Dedication

Representatives of the Garden Department of the Rock Falls Womans Club as well as members of the Coloma Township Park District Board of Commissioners gathered for the Official Dedication Ceremony of a new memorial park bench and plaque located in the new Commissioners’ Garden in Centennial Park in Rock Falls.

The Commissioners’ Garden features exposed aggregate sidewalks, a decorative colored stamped brick design around the perimeter, a 42 inch high octagonal wall encircling a beautifully landscaped area with a flagpole in the center. Other amenities include 4 decorative concrete light poles with hanging basket apparatus for flowers. The entire area has been landscaped and is very attractive to visitors.

Director Michael P. Sterba stated that the construction of the “Commissioners’ Garden has added a very relaxing and reflective facility to the Park. The Garden Department of the Rock Falls Womans Club has been very instrumental in providing support for this Park District in a variety of projects over the years. The Woman’s club was established in Rock Falls in 1911

Pictured left to right:

Front Row: Esther Bohms, Laverne Montgomery – Chairman of Garden Department,

Ruth Haas – President of Rock Falls Womans Club

Back Row: Mary Arduini, Shirley Auman, Lily Murphy

Martin Family Memorial Bench and Plaque Dedication

Representatives of the Cookie and Marie Martin Family as well as members of the Coloma Township Park District Board of Commissioners gathered for the Official Dedication Ceremony of a new memorial park bench and plaque located in the new Commissioners’ Garden in Centennial Park in Rock Falls. Cookie and Marie, both deceased, were long time residents of Rock Falls and several of their ten children still live in the area. Carolyn Martin Quinn of Las Vegas, Nevada, spearheaded the project in honor of her parents and siblings. At the ceremony Carolyn stated that her father had worked at Lawrence Brothers as well as the Rock Island Arsenal for many years. Her mother Marie worked at the old Prince Castle Restaurant and Walgreen’s and also volunteered at St. Andrews Grade School. The new memorial bench and plaque are part of a new major memorial area designated as the “Commissioners’ Garden” in honor of all past, present and future commissioners who have served and who will serve the Rock Falls Community.

Both Mrs. Carolyn Martin Quinn and Judy Martin Davis have recently made significant contributions to the Park District to help make this facility possible and also to help in the operations of the Park District.

At the dedication, Director Michael P. Sterba thanked the Martin Family for their contributions and also the positive impact the Martin Family has had on the Rock Falls Community over the years.

Pictured left to right – Relationship to Cookie and Marie Martin

Michael Quinn – Son-in-law

Julie Walker – Granddaughter

Carolyn Martin Quinn – Daughter

Geraldine Martin – Sister-in-law

Evelyn Martin Bay – Daughter

Judy Martin Davis – Daughter

Gary Martin – Son

Christine Davis – Granddaughter-in-law

Present but not pictured:

Jeff Davis – Grandson

J. D. Davis – Great Grandson

Max Davis – Great Grandson

Tabor Memorial Bench and Plaque Dedication

Representatives of the Vangie Tabor Family as well as members of the Coloma Township Park District Board of Commissioners gathered for the Official Dedication Ceremony of a new memorial park bench and plaque located in the new Commissioners’ Garden in Centennial Park in Rock Falls. Vangie Davis, deceased, was a long time resident of Rock Falls and Sterling. She was married to Charles Tabor for 33 years and they had one child and two grandchildren whom they loved dearly. Vangie worked at Wahl Clipper for 16 years in the Assembly Department. Liz works in the Office at Wahl Clipper and she said that Vangie was very dedicated to her job, her family and the community.

Pictured left to right.

Front row:

Erin Tabor – Granddaughter

Rylee Tabor – Granddaughter

Back Row:

Charles Tabor – Husband

Liz Tabor – Daughter-in-law

Charlie Tabor – Son