1980, Ronald and Nancy Reagan Visit Marion

Ronald and Nancy Reagan 1980With the 1980 Republican presidential nominations looming, Ronald and Nancy Reagan visited Marion on January 10, 1980. They arrived at Williamson County Airport at 5 p.m., held a brief conference and continued on to the Marion Ban Dor Inn for a fund raising dinner followed by a rally held at the Marion Civic Center, culminating at 8:45 p.m. after which the Reagan’s boarded their plane and returned to Los Angeles.

Reagan, of course, got the nomination and won the presidential bid, defeating incumbent Jimmy Carter, becoming our 40th president. The Marion Daily Republican article covering the event is as follows. Continue reading

Duncan, Robert W. 1920-2013, WWII Flying Ace

Robert DuncanRobert W. Duncan, age 92, lifelong resident of Marion, IL except for the time he served in the Navy, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2013, at his home.

He was born in Marion on Monday, December 20, 1920, the son of Absalom Wesley and Nellie Mae (Drake) Duncan. Continue reading

Fowler, August L. 1900-1997, Fowler and Novick

August Fowler 1918August L. “Gus” Fowler was born December 11, 1900, in Marion, to John Vancleve Fowler and Mary Charlotte Birkholz. He grew up in the family home located at 919 W. Cherry Street with one younger sister, three years his junior, named Cecile Fowler.

Gus was a graduate of the Marion Township High School and was vice president of his senior class in 1918, and the editor-in-chief of the first yearbook at Marion Township High School. In the same year that Gus graduated from high school, his 14 year old sister, Cecile, passed away. Continue reading