Marion Illinois History Preservation

Boatright, Wilbern 1912-2002

Posted on October 14, 2013 by wcihsOctober 15, 2013

Wilbern Boatright was born on September 12, 1912, in Galatia, Saline County, to Mack Boatright (1872-1951) and Cora Jane Blackburn (1875-1945).

When the 1920 federal census was taken, Wilbern’s parental family was living in Brushy, Saline County, on a farm owned by his parents. His parents were then in their 40’s and his father was farming for a living. Wilbern was aged 7 and had four brothers living at home. Brother Roy was 19 and teaching public school, Lloyd was 17 and a farm laborer, Leman was 14, attending school, and Walter was 2. Continue reading →

Deaton, Wesley D. 1937-2007

Posted on October 11, 2013 by wcihsOctober 11, 2013

Wesley Dean Deaton was born July 24, 1937, to Clyde and Velma (Edwards) Deaton. He was a life-long resident of Marion.

He graduated from Marion High School in 1955. He spent three years in the United States Navy as a radioman, stationed at Kamiseya, Japan and graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Master’s Degree in Science and Education and a 6 year Specialist Certificate. Continue reading →

2008, Marion Recreation Department

Posted on October 10, 2013 by wcihsFebruary 28, 2014

In this writer’s opinion, The Marion Recreation Department has been one of the most significant factors if also one of the most unheralded— in the overall quality of life in Marion for the past 60 years. Marion is the only community in the immediate area to have a recreation department as a function of local government. Continue reading →

1963, Marion Youth Center Opens

Posted on July 27, 2013 by wcihsJuly 27, 2013

The following post is a series of three articles from the Marion Daily Republican related to the opening of the Marion Youth Center located on East Boulevard next to the city reservoir. Construction began in May 1962 and was completed in May 1963. Continue reading →

1963, Storme Tells how Recreation Board Began

Posted on July 17, 2013 by wcihsFebruary 28, 2014

How the Marion City Recreation Board went from a $1.33 treasury and $250 in bills in 1944 to a more than $16,000 a year budget was outlined at the regular meeting of the Lions Wednesday by retiring recreation director, Cliff Storme. Storme was appointed principal of the high school and will no longer have time for additional duties. Continue reading →