Post gave service directory personal touch

For more than 20 years, Elaine Post was the face of the Daily Herald’s Service Directory, located on the back page of the classified advertising section.

Mrs. Post developed working relationships with all of the service providers who advertised on the page — more than 150. They looked to her for accuracy, length and a general knowledge of the marketplace.

“She took care of me for so many years,” said Larry Buske, owner of Buske & Sons landscaping business in Rolling Meadows.

Mrs. Post died Sunday. The former Carpentersville resident, most recently of Arlington Heights, was 79.

Colleagues at the Daily Herald recall that Mrs. Post started with the paper in 1985, taking classified ads over the phone. When an opening became available with the Service Directory, she seized the opportunity and never looked back.

“It was a big job, and an important one,” says her former co-worker Barbara Kieca of Arlington Heights. “She ran it all herself. She just had a great way of dealing with people.”

During her years with the directory, Mrs. Post sat in the reception area of the Daily Herald building, greeting her service providers when they came in monthly to place their ads.

“Those were the days of the face-to-face relationship,” says Kathleen Solan, coordinator for the Daily Herald’s legal notices. “Her customers knew that the Daily Herald was vital to their business success and that the paper truly cared about them. 

“Elaine gave it that personal touch.” Solan adds, “which is what made her such a wonderful salesperson.”

Colleagues like Kelly Bolyard, assistant vice president and director of digital development, marveled at Mrs. Post’s ability to retain her business clients.

“She knew their needs and kept them on track,” Bolyard says. “The customers respected her and saw her as an additional tool to make their businesses successful.”

Karrie Brooks, classified advertising manager, says business customers still reminisce fondly about Mrs. Post, four years after her retirement.

“Many of them saw her not only their newspaper rep,” Brooks says,” but as more as a business partner and friend.”

Mrs. Post was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Wallace and second husband, Bill Post. Surviving her are her children: Donald (Linda) Wallace, Steven (Deborah) Wallace and Kathryn (James) Fonte, as well as five grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Visitation will take place at 9:30 a.m. before a 10:30 a.m. funeral service Wednesday, May 18, at Miller Funeral Home, 504 W. Main St. in West Dundee.