Centennial Memory #63: SMC Shillady Officiates Clinton Wedding

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

One of the questions that is asked a lot is "Do we have any famous or well known Senior DeMolays in Pennsylvania." Although there are not many that fit into that description, there is one story that may impress.

Once again, this is an article that I give credit to "Dad" Seth Anthony, who wrote a post on this in May of 2013. Past State Master Councilor of Pennsylvania DeMolay, Bro. William Shillady, from Reading Chapter and served as SMC from 1975 to 1976, went on to become known as Rev. William Shillady. For a biography that tells you more about Rev. and Bro. Shillady, I will let you follow a link provided here to his biography. Information provided their is courtesy of the United Methodist City Society web page.

There is a part of that biography that I am providing here in this blog that explains why this post is being written. Rev. Shillady served as an officiant for the wedding of Chelsea Clinton. 

"Shillady also co-officiated with Rabbi James Ponet at the Chelsea Clinton-Marc Mesvinsky wedding in July of 2010.  He led the memorial service for Dorothy Rodham, the mother of Hillary Rodham Clinton. He maintains a pastoral relationship with the Clinton family."

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Maple Speaks to AASR

While we recover from our Annual Convention, we thought we'd share this video of now Past State Master Councilor Matthew Maple speaking to the Council of Deliberation of Pennsylvania for the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Great job, Matt!

 

Death of a Past State Master Councilor

From time to time, it becomes my job to report some sad news. Today, I have learned of the death of "Dad" Harry Wimer, Past State Master Councilor, 1956 - 1957, hailing from Lorraine Chapter. While not the oldest living PSMC, he was certainly one of the most senior. His obituary is reprinted below for those that may have known him.


Harry Donald "Bim" Wimer
January 2, 1937 ~ November 3, 2012

Harry Donald "Bim" Wimer, age 75, of Butler, Pennsylvania, passed away on November 3, 2012 at 2:00 a.m. at the Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights.

He was born January 2, 1937 in Butler, Pennsylvania to the late Donald Cline Wimer and Martha (Kirkpatrick) Wimer.

Mr. Wimer was a graduate of Butler High School and attended Allegheny College in Meadville, PA receiving at BA degree. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving at Fort Riley Kansas, Fort Knox, Kentucky, Sam Houston, Texas, and OCS at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was a retired contractor from John F. Casey Company and Dravo Corporation, both in Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Wimer was the owner of Harry D. Wimer Company of Butler, PA. He was a member of the Hill United Presbyterian Church and an officer, director and past Chairman of the board at North Side Cemetery for many years. Mr. Wimer was a 50 year member of the Butler Lodge No. 272 Free and Accepted Masons and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at Allegheny College. He was also the first State Master Councilor from Lorraine Chapter, Order of DeMolay. He continued to serve Lorraine Chapter as Chairman of the Advisory Council and worked at and contributed equipment for the annual fundraisers. Bim coordinated and supervised the work of the vendors and volunteers who built the Masonic Community Shelter at Alameda Park. He enjoyed hunting.

Mr. Wimer is survived by numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends will be received Monday, November 12, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Thompson - Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street Butler, PA.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at the Thompson - Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street Butler, PA with, Reverend Clark Sawyer of Hill United Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Burial will take place in the North Side Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donation may be made to the Restricted Fund of North Side Cemetery, 1002 North Main Street, Butler, PA 16001 or to the Butler VA Medical Center, 325 New Castle Road, Butler, PA 16001.

Officers and members of Butler Lodge No. 272 Free and Accepted Masons will conduct Masonic Services Monday, November 12, 2012 at 6:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

SMC Speaks to PA Masonic Leadership

Bro. Matt Blaisdell, then State Master Councilor of Pennsylvania DeMolay, spoke at the Annual Banquet of the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, on Saturday, July 14th at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.  This annual banquet usually has about 600 people at it-- 300 of the most influential Masons of PA, and their wives-- who are there for a social and fraternal experience.  To be a featured speaker at THIS gathering is a huge responsibility for anyone, and for a State Master Councilor it is usually a stressful experience getting ready for it, because he is required to turn in his text for publication in the Annual Proceedings of the organization.  They get to read and study the remarks of previous SMC's so that they don't repeat what was said by another, and also, so they can see the quality of writing that is required of them.  For every SMC this is a huge challenge, and there is writing, editing, rewriting, more editing, and then practice, practice and more practice to make sure that the text and its delivery will be heard and understood by all who are present.

I could tell you how I feel Matt Blaisdell did in representing you, but, I would rather have you watch this video, and judge for yourself.  It starts just after he mentions that his boss, the Executive Officer for PA DeMolay, was on a Church Mission Trip and could not be present, but had some advice for him:

When you get the chance, ASK MATT how he felt during the preparation, practice, and finally the delivery, and aftermath of the speech, and especially what it was like to get a standing ovation at its conclusion!

We are so fortunate in Pennsylvania DeMolay to have had Matt Blaisdell lead and represent us this past year! 

"Dad"  Tom Labagh,
Executive Officer in PA

The 77 Year Crusade

Every month PA DeMolay publishes the "Keystone Crusader" - the official newsletter of PA DeMolay. What many don't realize is that the "Key Cru" is almost as old at PA DeMolay itself! Starting in 1935, the newsletter has been published off and on for almost 80 years. Originally it was intended as a bi-monthly newsletter, but in later years it grew to be a monthly mailing.

PA DeMolay is very lucky to have copies of almost all of the Keystone Crusaders that have been published, including original pieces from the 1930's. In Vol. 1, Issue 1, of the Keystone Crusader, the editor, Bro. Kendig C. Bare (more commonly known as "K.C.") wrote some interesting statements as part of his inaugural editorial. He said "This is an experiement - an experiment which we hope will prove of benefit to every member of DeMolay and every Chapter of DeMolay in the Keystone State." Little did "K.C." know that the Key Cru would become a staple of PA DeMolay for decades to come. He goes on to say "We hope you will write us about this paper; for it belongs to every DeMolay in the state." The Key Cru remains a publication created by the members, for the members. Now that's a legacy of leadership.

You can download a .pdf copy of the first three issues of the Keystone Crusader here. Be warned - this is a very large file (roughly 10 megabytes.) Let us know what you think of them. Do you recognize any names or Chapters? This is the history of your publication. Enjoy it and learn from it!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth C. Anthony

In Memoriam

Today's post is a sad one. It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of the most senior Past State Master Councilor( whom we could still confirm as alive prior to his passing.) "Dad" and Bro. Robert D. Griewahn, of Erie Chapter, served as the last State Master Councilor prior to World War II. He took the oath of office of State Master Councilor and admirably served from 1941 to 1942. Due to the war, another State Master Councilor would not be elected until 1951. "Dad" Griewahn would go on to earn his Juris Doctorate after a stint in the armed services during the war. He was known to  regularly participate with the Chevalier Court and Legion of Honor Preceptory up to his passing. From his public obituary:

Robert David Griewahn, Sr. passed away suddenly on October 1, 2011. Bob was born in Erie on July 31, 1922 to William and Loretta Engel Griewahn. He attended the University of Pittsburgh College of Arts and Sciences, and School of Law. He was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa society, the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and president of the Pitt chapter of Phi Delta Phi law fraternity. Prior to law school, Bob served in World War II as lead bombardier, 15th Air Force, European Theater, 454th Bombardment Group. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal. Returning to Erie, Bob opened the firm of Robert D Griewahn & Associates on State Street, in the 1950s. He still was operating his company at the time of his death. Bob was a leader in the insurance industry as a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, and past president of the Northwestern Chapter of the American Society of Chartered Life Underwriters. He was past president of the Estate Planning Council of Erie, and was a member of the Erie Torch Club. Bob's leadership in the community will be missed. Among his roles were: president of the Erie County Heart Association, state president of DeMolay, Hamot Hospital Corporator, Erie Day School board director, Shipley School board trustee, and director of the Washington Trail Council of Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of The Erie Club and The Kahkwa Club. Active in the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Bob was an elder, deacon, and board trustee. He also was a board trustee of the Chautauqua Presbyterian Association. Bob had a love of learning, giving back to the community, traveling, and being with his family. He instilled in his children a love of sailing on Chautauqua Lake, and was a member of the Chautauqua Yacht Club. An avid supporter of the performing arts, he served as board director of both the Erie Philharmonic and the Erie Playhouse. Bob's optimism, creativity, warmth, humor, and love will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Griewahn; daughter Pamela, daughter, Shelley Griewahn (Patrick Okita); son, Robert Griewahn, Jr. (Laura Smith), daughter, Leslie Gurney (Ronald); granddaughter, Jessamine Griewahn-Okita; and sister, Beverly Deininger (James) and her family. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dr. Janice Beebe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505 and SafeNet Erie, 1702 French St., Erie, PA 16501, (www.safenet.org). Calling hours will not be observed. Burial was private in Laurel Hill Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements entrusted to Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West 10th St. Online condolences may be made atwww.Burtonfuneralhome.com or at www.legacy.com. 

As of today, Pennsylvania DeMolay can confirm that "Dad" and Bro. Rodney L. Caulkins, of Williamsport Chapter, is the most senior living Past State Master Councilor. While we do not have final obituary information on John E. Groome (SMC '29-30), Robert W. Sarvis (SMC '36-'37) and Charles M. Jones (SMC '39-40) we believe them to have all passed from our presence, leaving the title to Bro. Caulkins. Based upon this information, 24 of the 75 Past State Master Councilor's of Pennsylvania DeMolay have passed or are assumed to have died. We ask that you keep them in your prayers as they continue to support Pennsylvania DeMolay in spirit.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Anthony

Whoa Pilgrim!

It seems that the slow march of time is not so slow these days. With the world constantly changing, and forging forward, there are very few stable forces in society today. However, 2010 marks an anniversary for one of those remaining pillars of community strength; Pilgrim Chapter turns 85 this year, and on Saturday, April 17th, they plan to celebrate.

Pilgrim Chapter has been serving the Harrisburg community since 1925, and has produced 5 of Pennsylvania DeMolay's State Master Councilors (Randall (1928); Fenical (1933); Sarvis (1937); Logan (1972); Solano (1995). It is interesting to note that of those PSMC's, three of them came before 1942 (when PA DeMolay closed it's doors until 1951, due to WWII.) That shows that even early in its life, Pilgrim Chapter was a leader among PA DeMolay.

Knowing that the Anniversary was coming, "Mom" Jan Harms and "Dad" Doug Harms dove into the Pilgrim historical files to see what they could dig up. Lo and behold, they found several treasures. Below is a photo of the Pilgrim Chapter Band, taken in 1933 during a Knights Templar Conclave in Allentown. Just think, could your Chapter get that many guys together to have their own band?



Also included was a cord bound volume with a list of the original Chevalier designates of the Harrisburg Court of Chevaliers. In this book were photos of many recognizable persons from PA DeMolay. "Dad" Wilbur Minich, a long time supporter of the program features prominently, especially when you realize that the book was found among papers from his collection. Also within the pages is a biography and some background on "Dad" J. Franklyn Runkle, who was a member of the Supreme Council before his passing.

The other prize found among the pages was a photo of Robert W. Sarvis, who is believed to be the oldest living Past State Master Councilor of PA DeMolay. We here at the office have been unable to locate any information on his whereabouts, or his death, so it is presumed that he is still alive. If you're out there Bro. Sarvis, we'd love to hear from you!

I hope that you are able to attend the banquet being held at Pilgrim Chapter this weekend. Join with them and celebrate 85 years of DeMolay in Central PA! Maybe they'll return the favor when your Chapter turns 85!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony