ELMHURST JAYCEES TO HONOR LONG-TIME RESIDENT
WITH DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
ELMHURST, Ill., March 17, 2003 – Elmhurst resident Thomas O. Myers Jr., Owner and President of Thomas O. Myers Real Estate in Elmhurst, will receive the Elmhurst Jaycees’ 2003 Distinguished Service Award at their annual banquet at the Diplomat West Banquet Halls, 681 West North Avenue, on Thursday, May 1.
The 2003 DSA banquet starts at 6:00 p.m. with a complimentary cocktail hour. Dinner is served at 7:00 p.m.
Ticket cost is $40.00 per person and seating is limited to 225. Check should be made payable to the Elmhurst Jaycees and mailed to P.O. Box 235, Elmhurst, IL 60126 by Friday, April 25.
For more information, call Jaycees President David Cooke at (312) 279-4682 during the day or DSA Chairperson Julie Miller at 832-6500 during the day or 650-0466 in the evening.
Myers, along with his wife, Shirley, is the second generation of family leadership in a real estate business founded in 1920 by his father. He began working with his father following World War II service in the U.S. Navy as an X-ray technician.
Myers’ nomination was submitted by Elmhurst attorney John Howlett, the 1997 DSA recipient, and included endorsement letters from Elmhurst Mayor Thomas D. Marcucci, 1996 DSA recipient Darrell Whistler and other prominent individuals.
“The name, Thomas O. Myers Jr., is synonymous with the concept of service to the Elmhurst community,” Howlett stated in his letter of nomination.
“Tom Myers’ dedication to and love for the Elmhurst community has been reflected over the years by his unselfish contribution of time and talents in working with numerous local organizations, agencies and clubs,” wrote Mayor Marcucci.
Since 1961, Myers has volunteered his time and donated his money in support of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and its Board of Governors, including 30 years of service on the Finance, Building & Grounds Committee and Public Relations Committee. For 23 of the past 25 years, he has chaired or co-chaired the Governors’ Fall Benefit Dinner.
The Myers also have endowed a scholarship fund for children of hospital employees who pursue academic studies in a medical or health-related course of study.
Myers was recognized in 1990 with the Governors’ Distinguished Service Award for his contributions and commitment to the hospital.
Whistler, who serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare, noted that Myers “goes about his involvement that enhances Elmhurst in a quiet unassuming manner, but when it is all said and done, major accomplishments occur when Tom is involved.”
Elmhurst College awarded one of its highest accolades, the Founders Medal, to the Myers last December in recognition of their “lifetimes of building, directing and accomplishing.” Founders Medalists have unique relationships with the College in the areas of personal commitment, service and involvement, and philanthropic assistance.
Ken Bartels, Vice President for College Advancement at Elmhurst College, endorsed Myers as “a leader, doer and difference-maker.”
“Tom Myers is a man of significant achievement and serious dedication to Elmhurst,” wrote Bartels.
The Myers recently established an endowed scholarship fund at Elmhurst College to provide assistance for students who demonstrate financial need and who serve as managers for the Bluejays’ intercollegiate athletic teams.
Myers is a long-time member and Past Commander (1960) of the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187, serving as the 11th District Commander in 1969, and a Life Member of the Elmhurst Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2048. In 1983, the American Legion honored him as its Citizen of the Year.
He has been a member of the Elmhurst Elks Lodge #1531 for more than 50 years, and is a former member of the Elmhurst Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Myers also is a Past President of the Elmhurst Family YMCA Businessman Club and DuPage Family Services’ Board of Directors, and was a Director (1971-91) for the Bank of Elmhurst for 20 years.
Myers Real Estate has been a member of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry since 1935. Myers has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and is a Past Chairman (then President). Also, he is a two-time Ambassador of the Year recipient (1995 and 2001) for his outstanding service as a Chamber green coat.
Like his father, Myers is a member and Past President (1956 and 1974) of the former DuPage Board of Realtors, which named him Realtor of the Year in 1978.
The Elmhurst Jaycees have honored deserving community volunteers for service to family, church and civic organizations with their DSA for more than 50 years.
Past recipients include: Clifford Harmon (1951), Dr. Max Klinghoffer (1952), Mrs. William Brice (1953), Mrs. Joseph Ackerman (1954), R. Bradner Hilliard (1955), Joseph Sheehan (1956), Helmut Berens (1957), Mrs. John Davenport (1958), George Hammerschmidt (1959), Mrs. John Musil (1960), Mrs. David Thompson (1961), Stephen French Jr. (1962), Robert Bosworth (1963), P. William Simonini (1964), Dr. Robert Stanger (1965), Byron Stevens (1966), Dr. Joseph Ackerman (1967), Mrs. Mildred Terwedo (1968), Dr. Maurice Turner (1969), Tom Price (1970), Mrs. George Scheppach (1961), Charles Weigle Jr. (1962), Miss Ruth Strand (1973), Mrs. Dorothy Marquard (1974), Abner Ganet (1975), Marvin E. Pollard (1976), Ray Fick Jr. (1977), Robert Palmer (1978), Mary Mahon (1979), Samuel Weigle (1980), Paul Hayden (1981), Fred Messerschmidt (1982), Jean Baker (1983), Ruth and Nellie Stickle (1984), Nancy Vonderohe (1985), Joanne Butterfield Wagner (1986), Jackie Haddad (1987), Art Karnstedt (1988), Jean Hasselhorst (1989), Frank Allen (1990), Gene Hoffman (1991), Frank Catalano Sr. (1992), Phyllis Doan (1993), James Hallberg (1994), Betsy Aldred (1995), Darrell Whistler (1996), John Howlett (1997), Ted Dulles (1999), Judge William Bauer (2000), Ralph Pechanio (2001) and John and Phyllis Carroll (2002).
Chartered as the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Elmhurst Jaycees is a leadership training organization of young adults between the ages of 21 and 40 who engage in volunteer, charitable activities benefiting the Elmhurst community.