Elgin woman remembered for community service efforts
It's been a tough couple of weeks for Elgin.
The city lost influential Hispanic grocer "Jose" Luis Diaz and historian/genealogist/volunteer Rowena Swan.
Now, Sherman Hospital also has lost one of its fixtures and community leaders.
Fern Marie Samples Risley, a lifelong Elgin resident, died Feb. 27. She was 78.
She graduated Elgin High School in 1947 and Bradley University in 1951.
She worked at the radio station WRMN before taking a part-time job helping with public relations for Sherman Hospital, which eventually grew into a 33-year career.
After her retirement, she stayed active in fundraising for the Sherman Health Foundation Board.
She also served with a battery of service and charitable organizations, including the Elgin Junior Service Board, Zonta International, Sherman Hospital Auxiliary, American Hospital Association, American Society of Hospital Marketing and Public Relations, United Way and Elgin Women's Club, according to her family.
She also was the first recipient of the YWCA's Leader Luncheon Marguerite Henry Award for Communications and Technology in 1984.
She was a huge Bears fan and season ticket holder for 30 years.
She's probably singing "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" with NFL founder George "Papa Bear" Halas and Walter Payton right now.
Risley is survived by her four children and seven grandchildren. Her husband of 54 years, J. Audley, died in January.
A memorial service was slated for last Saturday in the Assembly Hall at Sherman Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, Fern's family requests memorials in her memory be made to the Sherman Health Foundation, 934 Center St., Elgin, IL. 60120.
The sky's the limit
Don't tell the folks at the Elgin-based Valley Air Service that the country's headed into a recession.
The executive aircraft charter and aircraft management company recently reported that its sales were 42 percent higher in 2007 compared to the prior year.
Established in 1994 by husband/wife team Stephen and Maureen Cosyns, the company has a fleet of jets at the West Chicago-based DuPage Airport.
The airport is the third busiest in the state, and like the airport administration, Valley officials also target executives.
"Approximately 80 percent of our clients are business executives," said Stephen Cosyns, who also is the company's chief pilot.
"Because time is money, it is a wise investment for them to charter rather than fly commercial airlines. High-level executives appreciate the convenience of utilizing regional airports where they can avoid the long lines and flight delays of O'Hare or Midway. They can get more business accomplished."
For information about Valley Air Service Inc. or to request a quote, contact the office headquarters at (847) 468-7473 or e-mail charter@flyvas.com.