“Young Glenn Clarida moved to Marion in his mid-20’s, a Saline County native who had grown up on a rural Galatia farm and went on to graduate with a degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois. The year was 1965, and Robert Butler was less than two years into his first term as Mayor.

Butler liked what he saw in the tall, athletic and fresh faced Clarida, who already had earned a good reputation working for the Illinois Department of transportation and in partnership with other engineers.

With the mayor’s encouragement and the opportunity to contract with the city, Clarida founded his own firm at the age of 27.

Nearly 60 years later, at age 87, Clarida walks each morning to his Economic Development office at Marion City Hall and shares his experience and expertise with city leaders and co-workers. His years of service, accomplishment and, not least, his character and work ethic were lauded in a banquet thrown by the City of Marion of August 7, 2024 at The Pavillion.”

Clarida’s civil engineering firm is now operated by Horner-Schifrin at 410 N. Court St. upon his retirement.

(Source: Marion Star newspaper, article by Ross Swinford and photo by Abbie Cullom)