The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 26

in in in in in in in in PAGES TODAY. THE DECATUR REVIEW Decatur, Illinois, Tuesday, December 15, 1953. Yule Service Series Opens At Noon Today A sparse crowd was in the Empress Theater at noon today for the first in a series of four Christmas union services sponsored by 1 the Decatur Church Council. At the opening of the service' it was announced by the Jay Logan, presiding minister, that the next three meetings will be at First Presbyterian Church. Decision to switch locations was made because the church is more centrally located and has piano and organ for accompanying singing.

In previous years the services have been held in the Lincoln Theater but were moved this season because of redecorating at the theater. Delivering the sermon today 1 was the Rev. Cevil Francisco, pastor of First Christian Church. "Are You Ready for Christmas?" was the sermon question asked by the Rev. Mr.

Francisco. "There is only one way to keep Christmas and that is in the heart," the Rev. Mr. Francisco told the congregation, He said that it is not easy to keep Christmas in the heart because our hearts have grown hard in the modem day. "Keeping Christmas in your heart," he said, "will make you child-like in spirit, You will seek out the poor, the lonely and the needy for this is the spirit of Jesus.

"Keeping Christmas in your heart will make you forgiving, for it is a re-emphasis of the spirit of Christ that pushes its way above the jalism and selfishness of modern life." For tomorrow's service in First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Glenn Sutton, assistant pastor of First Methodist Church, will be speaker. The Rev. Carrel Flewelling will preside, and soloist will be Robert Emery, minister of music at First Presbyterian Church. The service will start at 12:10 p.

m. and conclude at 12:50 p.m. Class Leaders Named at DHS The three students who will speak for Decatur High School's last midyear senior class at commencement exercises next month were chosen this week. Miss Nancy Clark, daughter of Mrs. Pauline Clark, 1651 E.

Main was elected valedictorian. A National Honor Society member, Miss Clark was in the senior class play, is in the Advanced Girls Nancy Clark Choir and has served as committee chairman for several senior activities. Salutatorian is Jack Gordy and class orator is Miss Willetta Finley. Gordy is the son of Mr. and Mrs.

Lester Gordy, 1087 W. Green and Miss Finley is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Finley, 2028 E. Prairie Ave.

There will be no more graduating classes after this year, since this senior class contains the last of the children who entered school in the Decatur system at the midyear. RESTITUTION PAY IS $1,682 IN THREE MONTHS Defendants under probation in Circuit Court have paid $1,682.62 in. restitution for thefts and embezzlements during the last three months, it is shown in a' report by Russell A. Hoendorf, probation officer. Included in the collection was $500 from Robert O.

Behrends, who was admitted to probation after admitting the embezzlement of funds of the Decatur Illinois Terminal Credit Union. Also included was $500 paid by James J. Shine, under probation after admitting embezzlement of funds of the Decatur Liberty Loan Company. Unionization Of Policemen Is Discussed Three labor representatives net with Mayor Robert E. Willis this morning to discuss unionization of the police department.

Meeting with the mayor was C. (Tiny) Groeteke, Springfield, organizer for the municipal employes union; Earl Heaton, regional director of the AFL United Auto Workers, and A. C. Kohli, business agent for the electricians union. The meeting was closed to reporters at the request of the union resentatives, but the subject of discussion, revealed later was a "handsoff" policy sought by the union during its organizing efforts.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Willis said, "Insofar as it lies within my power, I can promise there'll be no discrimination against a police officer, directly or indirectly, because of meetings or he may have with representatives of the AFL, State, County Municipal employes union. "That is the assurance they asked." Groeteke expressed satisfaction with the mayor's statement. He said he will call a meeting with members of the police department sometime after Jan. 1. RALPH P.

WOODS, FORMER RESIDENT, DIES Ralph P. Woods of Jacksonville, brother of Mrs. Howard Gragg, Decatur, and a former Decatur resident, died at 1:30 a.m. yesterday in Passavant Hospital, Jacksonville, after a long illness. Besides his wife and son, Palmer, he leaves four sisters, Mrs.

Gragg of Decatur, Mrs. Walter Wright and Mrs. John Zell, both of Jacksonville and Miss Ruth Woods, Springfield, and a brother, W. P. Woods of Arthur.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Grace Methodist Church, Jacksonville, with burial in Franklin Cemetery. The Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville, is in charge of arrangements. a TWO DECATUR MEN ARRIVE FROM FAR EAST The naval transport Marine Serpent arrived in Seattle Monday with 3,063 passengers from the Far East, including two Decatur men. They are Maj.

William F. Pittman, 2341 E. Eldorado St. and Sfc. David L.

Mayberry. Santa Claus Brings Daddy Chaplain Pitman Arrives Home From Korea Mrs. Loraine Pitman and four children, who live at 2341 E. Eldorado will have an extramerry Christmas this year. Chaplain (Maj.) W.

Franklin Pitman landed on the West Coast yesterday after a year in Korca. He will arrive in Decatur tomorrow evening. "The children think Daddy is to walk in one door and Christmas in the other," says Mrs. Pitman. The chaplain will be greeted by a toothless grin from his daughter, 3, who has had a couple of toothjarring falls recently.

Little Ann Loraine has seen her father only half of her life, according to her mother's calculations. She was just a few months old when he was recalled to active duty and she has seen him only on leaves since then. Chaplain Pitman is former pastor of the Prairie Avenue Christian Church here. He came to the Decatur church FIVE CHARGED WITH THEFT OF TOPCOAT Five men were held in city jail today, charged with grand larceny in the theft of a topcoat from Appelbaum's Clothing Store, 632 E. Eldorado St.

They are: Robert C. Yates, 29, St. Louis; Henry Brown, 27, St. Louis, Ransome Brunson, 24, Toledo, Ohio; Robert Holt, 29, St. Louis; Lanch Estell, 26, St.

Louis. All five told police they were employes of the Wabash Railroad. Irving Appelbaum, proprietor, told police the men entered his store about 1 p.m. yesterday and bought several items of clothing. When they left the coat was missing, he said.

When arrested at a sandwich shop in the 400 block South FrankJin Street later one of the men was wearing the coat. He told officers he had bought it from a boy in the Wabash depot. All admitted previous police records. SCOUT LEADERS MEET A Scout leaders roundtable 7:30 p. m.

tomorrow, previously announced for Westminster Presbyterian Church, will be held in the Prairie Avenue Christian Church. James A. Merry, field Scout executive, is in charge of the program which will include a "fashion show" featuring various types of Scoutmaster uniforms. after two years as a chaplain in World War II, 10 months of which he spent in the European Theater. During his service in Korea he first was regimental chaplain and recently has served as assistant- division chaplain with the 40th Infantry Division.

He received two citations in Korea the Bronze Star for meritorious work in presenting religious services and the Silver Star, the nation's third highest award, for aid given two badly wounded men on the front lines. After spending a 30-day leave with his family here, Chaplain Pitman will report to Ft. Sheridan near Chicago. He still has 18 months to serve, having signed up for an additional two years last summer, according to Mrs. Pitman.

Chaplain Pitman served one year as pastor of the Niantic Christian Church before entering the Army in World War II. Latham Pump Is Installed The pump for Latham's new well has been installed and should be in operation tomorrow, according to Everett Purcell, president of the village board. Purcell said the pump was in this morning, that two valves were being picked up in Decatur, and could be put in in time for flushing, testing, and other preliminaries to have the well in operation sometime tomorrow. The pump arrived from Chicago without two valves, but Purcell said replacement valves had been found in Decatur. With the new well nearly ready for service, the village nearly out of its water difficulties.

The old well failed in the long drouth, so the new one had to be drilled, equipped, and joined to the village water system by a new main. ADMIT THEFT A man and woman held in St. Charles, as shoplifters, have admitted the theft of a pair of binoculars and some whisky from a Decatur bartender named "Mac," Decatur police were notified today. The bartender has not been identified. The couple held are Orville J.

Bohlander, 35, and Ruth E. Pence, both of Peoria. Pastor to Give Blood 86th Time Need for Blood Learned Through Sad Experience One Decatur man has given, figuratively speaking, all his blood to blood banks seven times over. And he is going to give another pint tomorrow. The Rev.

Allan Nolan Dittman, 1193 W. Main pastor of the new Infinite Christian Spiritualist Church of Decatur, will be in the line tomorrow for the monthly visit of the Red Cross bloodmobile to Macon County. The bloodmobile will be at the YMCA from noon to 5:30 m. tomorrow. As of this morning more than half of the 250 pints of blood needed had not been pledged.

But one of the pints of blood will be donated by the Rev. Mr. Dittman-and it will be the 86th time he has given a pint of blood. Figuring that an average man has about 12 pints of blood in his body the Rev. Mr.

Dittman is on his eighth time around. The minister's marathon blood giving began back in Macon, in 1935. "About 10 years prior to the Rev. Mr. relates, was in desperate need of blood.

made a vow to God that if I lived, I would, give all the blood I was physically able to do." A 10-year-old son of the minister was struck by. a car on way to school one day and both the boy's legs were amputated as a result of the accident. This hospitalization required a huge amount of blood, the Rev. Mr. Dittman said, adding, "I paid as high as $50 a pint for The Decatur minister, who moved here from New York in mid-November, has given blood in more states that he can recall off-hand.

Among the states he can remember are Florida, Georgia, New York, California, Oegon, Texas and Ohio. "Id do anything I could to further the blood program because I know what the need is," he says. For those who worry about endangering their health in blood giving, the Rev. Mr. Dittman is walking example of how healthy the practice is.

When he started giving blood back in 1935, he weighed 145 Officials Study Burglary Case Involving 5 State's Attorney Kenneth E. Evans, Police Chief W. Glenn Kerwin, and Justice Wayne Ellis conferred informally today about the cases of five men charged with burglary who were released last week after preliminary hearings before Justice Ellis. The ruling surprised Kerwin who believed sufficient evidence was available to bind the five defendants to action of the January grand jury. Evans was in Chicago when the preliminary hearing was held.

Following the conference today, Evans said he does not consider the case against the five defendants closed and indicated there will be further action by his office. The five men involved in the burglary charge are: Doyle E. Blackwell, 23., of 926 N. Water William Henry, 30, of 511 E. Olive Charles Henry, 45, of 835 N.

Church Thurman L. Thompson, 24, of 920 E. Eldorado: Kenneth W. Cox, 17, of 1112 N. 20th St.

They were accused in connection with an alleged burglary of the apartment of Huston Hirst, W. William in which a television set and other articles were reported stolen. Mate BUILDING IS WRECKED FOR BANK IMPROVEMENT Making way for the new Na- C. N. Gorham Son.

This pic- as soon as the old building is tional Bank of Decatur drive-in ture was taken from the roof of a cleared. The contractor is Ernie window, a wrecking crew is tearing down the building at 233 S. Park St. formerly occupied by Hayes Ruling To Be Friday The St. Louis Court of Appeals will rule Friday whether James Hayes, 40, of St.

Louis, must return to Macon County to face charges of being an accomplice in the Garfield Tap robbery. Assistant 'State's Attorney Lloyd Latendresse and Deputy Sheriff C. W. Peebles were in St. Louis yesterday for hearings on Hayes' appeal from a lower court's decision that he must return.

Leonard Voss was acquitted earlier this month of charges that the holdup was actually carried out by him. Hayes, authorities charge, loaned his car for use in the holdup. When Hayes was arrested, $4,000 in cash was found in the car. SIX CHURCHES JOIN FOR SPECIAL PROGRAM FRIDAY Six Decatur churches will take part in program Friday at 8 p.m. at the Church of God in Christ, 200 E.

Decatur St. The program, a benefit for shutins, is being sponsored by the missionary society of the host church. Guest speaker for the evening will be the Rev. Fred Hollingshed of the Church of the Living God. The choirs and ministers of the following churches also will take part: East Side Church of God in Christ, Rev.

Ferris Morrison; North Side Baptist Church, Rev. R. H. Pack; Antioch Baptist Church, Rev. C.

A. Lightbourn; St. 'Peter's AME Church, Rev. David Readye. Special music will consist of solos by Mrs.

Bertha Cook and Edgar Allen of Champaign. There will be a guest minister from Kansas City, on the program also. Mrs. Velma Harvey and Mrs. Matthew Allen will give a reading.

The Rev. Cleveland Bell is pastor of the host church and Mrs. Stella Cole is president of the sponsoring society. Notice Received Formal notice that the traffic lights installation at East Wood and South Jackson Streets, and at North Broadway and East Prairie Avenue have been completed was received by the city today from the state highway division. Total cost of the job was $7,647.15.

8 Shopping CHRISTMAS nearby building. Work on the back. wall of the bank to install two drive-up windows will start ATTORNEY Richard J. Welsh Welsh Joins Webber Firm Announcement of the addition a partner to the Decatur law firm which has borne the Webber name for 75 years was made today. Entering the firm, now to known as Webber, Webber Welsh, with offices in the Citizens Building, is Richard J.

Welsh. Since December, 1950, he has been associated with the LeForgee, Samuels Miller firm. The Webber law office was estab- Northwestern University and was admitted to practice in 1948. He served in the medical administrative corps during World War II. He is a former president of the Newcomers Club and lives at 258 Linden Ave.

lished in Decatur 75 years ago by the late Albert G. Webber, who died in 1947 at the age of 93. His son, Albert G. Webber, president and treasurer of the Mueller- Company, received his law degree in the University of Illinois. After two years in the U.

S. Navy, he joined his father in the practice of law in 1919 and is now the senior member. Albert G. Webber III, grandson of the founder of the firm and son of Albert G. Webber, entered the firm in 1949.

He received his law degree in the University of Michigan after serving in the U. S. Navy in World War Il. Welsh, the new member of the firm, received his law degree in WOODROW WILSON YULE PROGRAM TO BE FRIDAY- Woodrow Wilson Junior High School's annual Christmas program, featuring dramatization of the story "Why the Chimes Rang," will be given Friday at 8 p. m.

in the school auditorium. The program will open with the orchestra and choirs in a concert of traditional Christmas music. Lead roles as the two unselfish brothers in the play will be. taken by John Wahl and Dick Howard. The dramatization is about the.

miracle of church chimes which rang in recognition of the humble gift of two boys after they had remained silent in the face of rich offerings from selfish people. Giese. (Herald and Review Photo) Snow Brings Little Moisture About .7 of an inch of snow yesterday brought the Decatur area .07 of an inch of water. Although temperatures were below freezing most of the day Monday, the snow melted on streets and sidewalks and didn't begin to accumulate until late afternoon, when a glaze of ice formed. Several minor accidents were reported in the area with drivers blaming slippery conditions.

Ronald Lee Park, 13, Rural Route 7, was slightly injured when a car driven by Raymond Evans, 508 W. North skidded at school crossing and hit a parked car which in turn hit the boy and rolled into a sheriff's, patrol car. The boy was treated and released at Decatur and Macon County Hospital. The accident happened at the Route 121-Boiling Springs Road intersection, where sheriff's deputies of were directing traffic. firm Most of the ice disappeared from name streets early this morning.

he Lake Decatur be Level Still Dropping Lake Decatur was 4.19 feet below the dam today in what waterworks employes said was an accurate reading with calm water. The reading showed an eighthinch drop from yesterday's figure and put the lake level back where it was Dec. 4, before the lake gained some runoff water from rains in the upper lake basin. Yesterday's snow, measured at .07 of an inch of precipitation in the area, was worth about that much water falling in the lake. MRS.

ADA LIGHT, 83, DIES IN HILLSBORO Mrs. Ada A. Light, 83, who lived in Decatur until about five months ago, died at 9:20 p. m. yesterday in Hillsboro Hospital.

She was born June 27, 1870, in South Wheatland Township, daughter of Cornelius C. and Margaret E. Cox Morris, and was married to Leonard P. Light in Decatur June 25, 1891. He died in February, 1931.

Mrs. Light was a member of the Baptist Church. She leaves one granddaughter, Mrs. Evelyn Kile, Hillsboro. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.

m. Thursday in the Dawson Wikoff Funeral Home. Burial will be 'in Graceland Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p. m.

Wednesday. MEDICAL SOCIETY MEETS TONIGHT AT ORLANDO Dr. Everett Coleman, Canton, will be the main speaker at the Macon County Medical Society dinner meeting at 6 p. m. today in the Hotel Orlando.

Dr. Coleman is past president of the Illinois State Medical Society. He will speak on "What Organized Medicine Means to You." Members of the society and its auxiliary and other Central Illinois doctors and their wives will also attend. YULE LIGHTING CONTEST HAS NINE NEW ENTRIES Nine new entries have been received in the Decatur Jaycees' annual Christmas lighting contest, Two of the new entries are in the home division, which closes Monday for judging Dec. 22-23.

The homes of Harold Segar, 549 N. Lake Shore and Marjorie Drum, 2185 E. Decatur bring to eight the number in that division. Four new entries were received in the retail store division, which closes tomorrow for judging Friday night. They are: Wallender Dedman Company, 151 W.

Main Carol's, 201 N. Main St. Sessel's, 354 N. Water Gebhart's Motorist Supply Store, 232 E. North St.

They make 10 entries in the retail store division. Three new entries in the church lawn division make a total of eight for that part of the contest. They are: First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Temple Baptist Church, 1415 N. Edward Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1010 N.

Brush College Rd. Church entries close Friday for judging Sunday night. NEW INDUSTRIAL CLUB ELECTS WILLIAM OWEN William H. Owen of the A. E.

Staley Mfg. Company, last night was elected president of the newlyformed Decatur Young Men's Industrial Club in a dinner meeting at the YMCA. Other officers are Maurice Pasley, vice president; Charles E. Sanchelli, treasurer and Nathan Phillips, secretary. Dean Madden and John Vickrey were named to a program committee, and Jack Dieckhoff was named to a membership committee.

The next meeting is Jan. 11 at the YMCA. NIANTIC YULE PARTY The Rev. Allan Nolan Dittman, Decatur, examines a pint of blood at the Decatur and Macon County Hospital "bank" today. The Rev.

Mr. Dittman is a champion contributor of blood to var- pounds. He now weighs "over 200" and "I have on diets every once in a while so my clothes will fit." The minister has remained in good health despite his giving of blood more often than the Red Cross recommends. He used to give about once a month, he said. The Red Cross recommends six to eight weeks time between donations.

But Rev. Mr. Dittman is not worried about that. He has his eye, on a 100-pint goal and he's within two gallons of it now. His main regret is, "It's a shame they have to appeal for blood when the hospitals have such a crying need for it." Surgeon Appeals For Blood Donations Dr.

F. G. Irwin, incoming president of the County Medical ious blood programs, having already filled 85 of these pint bottles. He is preparing to give his 86th pint of blood at tomorrow's bloodmobile visit. That will make his total contribution gallons.

(Herald and Review Photo) Society, today appealed for donors for the Wednesday visit of the Red Cross bloodmobile to Decatur. At noon today, more than 100 donors were still needed for the bloodmobile to meet its quota tomorrow. The unit will be stationed at the YMCA from noon to 5:30 p. m. In a statement today, Dr.

Irwin, a surgeon, said: "Time and time again acute emergencies arise in hospitals, notably in surgery, where it is imperative and urgent that blood be available as a live-saving measure. "Often these situations are not known about by the general public, nor dramatized, and they largely pass unnoticed. "By supporting the donor program of the Red Cross, the 'life you save may be your The third annual Christmas party for residents of the Niantic Community will be at 7 p. m. Friday in the Niantic-Harristown High School Gymnasium.

The Niantic Civic Club has planned the entertainment and treats for the children will be provided by: Woman's Club Junior Woman's Club Fortnightly Club Royal Neighbors Parent-Teachers Association Home Bureau The Civic Club also has put Christmas lights on the main street of Niantic. SMITH INJURED Herbert D. Smith, 1234 W. Macon has been released from St. Mary's Hospital where he had been since Thursday morning following an accident near Bethany.

Smith received a fractured right shoulder, possible broken left hand, and severe lacerations on his head. The car he was driving was badly wrecked. Film Council Meets The Decatur Film Council will meet at 7:30 p. m. Wednesday in the public library.

Films scheduled to be shown are about Cellist Gregor Piatigorski, a history of books, paper sculpture and a new type animated cartoon..