OUR RECIPIENTS
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INDUCTEES: 2015
Larry Lyons
Kathy Shanebrook
Rob Kinas
Larry Lyons
Larry Lyons attended the University of Illinois and received a B.S. in Biology in 1978. Believing in the importance in education, Larry attended Illinois State University and received a B.S. in Accounting and Certified Public Accountant Certification in 1986. Soon thereafter he began his career at Illinois State University. Due to his strong work ethic and dedication to the institution, Larry was named Director of Athletics of Illinois State University in 2013.
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INDUCTEES: 2015
Roger Amm
1975
Roger Amm instructed thousands of students over a 33 year career as a vocal music educator (1980-2013). After teaching one year at Wheaton North High School, the remaining 32 years were spent teaching at Ottawa Township High School where the OTHS Music Department became the second most successful music program in Illinois High School Association history. During his tenure, OTHS music students earned 18 State Championships, 11 runner-up and 3rd place awards and 3 top ten finishes.
Rob Kinas
1979
Larry Lyons
1974
Rob Kinas is a Mantle Cell Lymphoma survivor who celebrates every day by connecting the world to advance cancer research through Cancer Research Racquet and the American Cancer Society. His international group of 10,000 professionals has funded three cancer research grants through 2015. Rob has been a lawyer with Snell & Wilmer since 1987 and specializes in complex loan restructurings and commercial bankruptcies. Rob’s academic training took place at Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, TN, Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and Pontiac Township High School.
Larry Lyons attended the University of Illinois and received a B.S. in Biology in 1978. Believing in the importance in education, Larry attended Illinois State University and received a B.S. in Accounting and Certified Public Accountant Certification in 1986. Soon thereafter he began his career at Illinois State University. Due to his strong work ethic and dedication to the institution, Larry was named Director of Athletics of Illinois State University in 2013.
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Kathy Shanebrook
1973
Kathy Shanebrook enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating in 1973. Following changes to the law, she entered the U.S. Naval Academy with the first class of women in 1976. Throughout her thirty year career, Kathy worked in the Meteorology and Oceanography field in diverse locations from Norfolk, VA to McMurdo, Antarctica to the Arabian Gulf. Captain Shanebrook served as the Commanding Officer of the Meteorology and Oceanography Center in Yokosuka, Japan. Her final tour before retiring in 2010 was at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Maneesh Shrivastav
1992
Maneesh Shrivastav is a researcher, market developer, and entrepreneur who works in the biomedical industry. His academic pursuits post PTHS have taken him to Dartmouth College (BA), Northwestern University (MS), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ME, MBA), and the University of Minnesota (PhD). Maneesh believes the foundation set at PTHS opened many doors. He shows his gratitude for his opportunities by giving back to the community in many ways. He started an educational program for underprivileged children in India, began a home healthcare service for elderly individuals, and is an avid volunteer in local high schools.
INDUCTEES: 2016
Ira Carrithers graduated from the University of Illinois in 1908. Ira was head football coach at Alma College in Alma, Michigan from 1908-1909, Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois from 1910-1913. He began his career at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1915 as Athletic Director, head basketball and baseball coach as well as the assistant coach in football. He served as Athletic Director for Coe College from 1915-1924. In 1924 Ira retired from coaching and began a successful business in life insurance and serving as president and board member of the Cedar Rapids YMCA. In 1973 he was inducted into the Coe College Hall of Fame.
Ira Carrithers
1904
William (Bill) Diaz attended Northern Illinois University and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1973. In 1976 he graduated from Penn State University where he taught graduate level drawing and painting. Bill has been a business owner in Pontiac since 1979, running Diaz Sign Art. He has traveled across the United States painting murals for the Walldog organization. Bill was instrumental in bringing this group to Pontiac where they painted eighteen murals in and around the downtown area. In 2009 Bill was named the Pontiac Rotary Citizen of the Year.
Bill Diaz
1968
John Evvard attended the University of Illinois earning a Bachelor of Science in 1907 and his Master of Science from the University of Missouri in 1909. In 1918 he became a professor of Animal Husbandry at Iowa State University. During World War I, John was selected to serve as chairman of the U.S. Food Administration’s Swine Commission. In 1918 he served as the president of American Society of Animal Production. In 1927 John earned a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Arizona. From 1933-1937 John served as head of the Agriculture Department at Arizona State College. He had over 1,100 published articles and papers in thirteen circular magazines, journals and research bulletins. His methods and experiments in swine feeding became standard throughout the swine belt and added millions of dollars to the profits of hog growers.
John Evvard
1904
Ron Fellheimer
1956
Ronald (Ronnie) K. Fellheimer attended the University of Illinois and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance in 1960 and then graduated from the John Marshall Law School before joining the United States Army. Ronald began practicing law in 1964 in Pontiac with his father, August Fellheimer and has continued in that practice for over 50 years. From 1973 to 2009 he served as the Clerk for Pontiac Township, Livingston County. Ronald served as the Chairman of the boards for Pontiac Bancorp, Inc. and Bank of Pontiac from 1993 to 2009. Ronald has also been a past president of the Livingston County Bar Association.
INDUCTEES: 2017
Henry Eppel
1955
Henry J. Eppel was born in March, 1937, in Pontiac, son of Henry J. Eppel and Kathryan Frahm Eppel.
He graduated from PTHS in 1955, having served as President of Key Club, played basketball, track, and was selected All-Conference in football his senior year. Henry graduated from University of Illinois with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1959. He was married in 1957, and has 4 children; Mark, Michelle, Marty and Matt.
Henry became President of HJ Eppel Company in 1968. Major accomplishments include the North Creek Ditch Project from 1971 – 1976, to eliminate flooding on Pontiac’s north side, and the 4-H Park Road bridge in 2000.
Henry was on the Fairbury Federal Board of Directors, Pontiac National Bank and holding company Board of Directors, Pontiac Chamber of Commerce, School Board member of Pontiac Public School District 429, Jaycees, Lions Club, Trustee for Pontiac Elks Lodge #1019, and was president of Pontiac HELD (Hoffrichter, Eppel, LaRue and Dargan) as they partnered in the development of Illini Subdivision. His quality of life initiatives (parks, neighborhoods, ponds and trees) have enhanced the Pontiac community for several generations.
He enjoys his family, 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, golfing and fishing.
Casey Kohlmeier
2002
Casey Joseph Kohlmeier was born June 5th, 1984, to Keri Jo (Schmidt) and Jeff Kohlmeier. He attended Coal City Elementary and Jr. High School before attending Pontiac High School. As a freshman, he was elected as class president. While in high school, Casey was on the tennis team, student council, and band, serving as Drum Major his junior and senior years. His favorite part of high school was being a peer partner. His entire life revolved around his family and helping others. Joining the US Air Force three weeks after graduation from PTHS, Casey received numerous accommodations and awards. In basic training, he was awarded one of the highest merits possible in the USAF, Honor Graduate. Distinguished graduate followed in tech school. He served in security forces where he excelled, receiving the 2005 Airman of the Year and an Accommodation Medal of Bravery. Within a year of leaving the USAF, he was hired as a Pontiac Police Officer, becoming a K-9 officer in 2009. He also served on the board of the Livingston County Boys & Girls Club. Casey’s goals continued to be reached as he became a private pilot and was given a conditional offer of employment for the FBI. He was awaiting his admission into the FBI training academy when he and his partner, Draco, were killed in the line of duty on October 30, 2013, by a drunk driver. Casey continues to touch lives and inspire others to reach for their dreams, being a hero to many.
Leah Latham
2006
Leah Latham grew up wanting to make animated movies. After graduating valedictorian at PTHS, she attended Webster University in St. Louis, MO where she was among Webster’s first graduating class to receive a BA in Animation. At Webster, she helped found and lead an international animation festival, Kinematifest, and a student chapter of SIGGRAPH — an international organization focusing on animation, visual effects, and emerging technologies. Through her education, she honed a passion for leadership and creative problem solving in an artistic field, thus enabling her to move to Los Angeles, CA upon graduation and land her dream job at Walt Disney Animation Studios. She has worked on such movies as Frozen, Zootopia and Moana. She has also been featured as a voice actress on Zootopia and Big Hero 6. She is currently the Story Production Supervisor on Frozen 2 and continues to love going to work every day.
Trevor Loy
1989
Trevor Loy is Managing Partner and founder of Flywheel Ventures, an early-stage venture capital investment firm. Flywheel provides investment capital to startup companies in emerging technologies. Current portfolio companies include Angaza, Aravo Solutions, Bitsbox, Digabit, Genome Medical, Jana, Recruitology, SlamData, Submittable, TrackVia and Yapstone. Previous Flywheel successes include the IPO of Jive Software, the acquisitions of MicroProbe, MIOX and Tuscany Design Automation.
Trevor is a Lecturer in the Stanford Technology Ventures Program at Stanford University, where he co-teaches a graduate course on entrepreneurial management and finance. He has been an invited guest lecturer and speaker across the United States and the world, including Australia, Bahrain, Chile, China, Kuwait, the UAE and the United Kingdom.
Trevor has served as a director of the National Venture Capital Association, and chaired NVCA’s political action committee, VenturePAC. Trevor has held executive and technical roles companies such as Gigabeat, Brooktree, ParkingNet, Teradyne and Intel Corporation. Trevor holds a BS Electrical Engineering, MS Electrical Engineering and MS Management Science & Engineering, all from Stanford University.
INDUCTEES: 2018
Terry Herr
1989
Terry attended Loyola University Chicago business school and was active in volunteerism. He spent most of his school breaks in various parts of the United States and Central America earning him special recognition for his “outstanding efforts” as a volunteer leader.
Terry is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Chartered Life Underwriter. He founded Herr Capital Management, LLC as an independent wealth management firm. He has taught CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ courses for both DePaul University and Northwestern University. Terry has also appeared on local and national media and has spoken at several national industry conferences.
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An avid outdoorsman, Terry has logged hundreds of miles backpacking below the rim of the Grand Canyon. He has successfully summited many of Colorado’s 14,000 ft. peaks and has traveled to over 15 countries. In 2018 he summited an 18,519 ft. peak in the shadow of Mount Everest, Nepal to raise money and awareness for foster children.
Dale Schrock
1980
Dale Schrock graduated PTHS as an Illinois State Scholar and Member of the National Honor society. After high school, Dale attended Illinois State University and graduated with a degree in Marketing. Dale began his career with Dairy Queen when his parents took over the local store in 1976, and along with his parents and siblings, began working in the store. After college, Dale continued to work at the DQ, becoming a general manager and working with other operators in the area as the Peoria regional marketing chair. Dale eventually purchased the business from his parents in the early 1990’s. Dale has served on the board of DQ Mid-States Store Owners Association, is a current national supply chain representative, and has served as a DQ Franchise Advisory Council Representative. Locally, Dale is a current serving member of the PTHS district 90 board of education and also serves as chairman of the board for the Livingston County Housing Authority. Dale married his wife Lori in 1997 and has two children, Ashleigh and Noah.
Wes Smith
1971
Wes Smith, PTHS class of 1971, is a journalist, author and book collaborator who has written, edited or co-authored more than 65 books spanning sports, entertainment, humor, spiritual, inspirational, wellness, psychology, financial and business topics.
His own 1989 book, The Pied Pipers of Rock n’ Roll, a history of rock radio deejays, received the Deems Taylor Award as the Best Book of the Year on Popular Music as chosen by the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers, (ASCAP).
After beginning his newspaper career as co-editor of the PTHS Chief student newspaper and the Pontiac Daily Leader, he went on to report for newspapers across the country including The Atlanta Journal Constitution, and the Miami Herald, before joining The Chicago Tribune and, later, its sister newspaper The Orlando Sentinel, where he worked a total of 19 years, mostly as a national news correspondent.
In addition, his magazine writing has appeared in Business Week, U.S. News & World Report, Atlanta Weekly, The Robb Report, Biography, Parent, Reader’s Digest, The American Bar Journal and other publications.
Michael Wille
1993
A 1993 graduate of Pontiac Township High School, Michael Wille is a Professor and the Director of the School of Art at Illinois State University. He helps lead the College of Fine Arts’ international initiatives that include the university’s first partnership with a Chinese university. In 2015, he was awarded an Emerging Arts Administration Fellowship from the National Council of Arts Administrators. He has also presented research at the College Art Association annual conference.
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Wille’s small-scale abstract paintings have been included in exhibitions in Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, and international venues in South Africa, Germany, and Australia. Wille’s paintings have been featured in New American Paintings five times, and he has also curated exhibitions about abstract painting. Wille has been an invited speaker at institutions in the USA, Japan, South Africa, China, and Panama.
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Wille earned an MFA from Bowling Green State University and a BFA from Millikin University.
INDUCTEES: 2019
Bradford Blakeman
1971
My family moved to Pontiac in 1965 when my father assumed the position of superintendent at Pontiac Township High School. My father Paul remained superintendent for 18 years. My brother Tom graduated in 1968 and brother Chad in 1982 from PTHS. Upon graduation in 1971, I continued my education at Illinois Wesleyan and graduated with a biology major summa cum laude in 1975. My medical degree was completed at University of Illinois in 1979. I completed residency in General Surgery followed by a fellowship in Cardiac Surgery, both at Loyola University. My training was completed in 1986 with board certification in both General and Cardiac Surgery. Joining the faculty at Loyola, I quickly rose to full professorship by the age of 43. In 2001, I entered private practice in Northwest Indiana to reestablish a struggling program.
Currently, I am living in the Upper Peninsula with my wife Jamie, rebuilding a rural heart program.
Nathan Joerndt
2004
Nathan J. Joerndt graduated in 2004 from the Special Education Program at Pontiac Township High School. He is a Governor appointed member of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and passionate advocate for the differently-abled and otherwise exceptional individuals. Nathan gained national attention when he and his over 8000 supporters successfully challenged one of the nation’s largest employers, Walmart, to reconsider their stand to eliminate greeters, including those with disabilities. In April of 2019, Nathan was invited to speak to congressmen in Washington, DC about the needs of those with developmental disabilities. He is a self-taught musician and performs at local and regional events singing and playing the keyboard. He is a member of the Rotary Club and is an active volunteer in the community. He has raised thousands of dollars for Relay for Life and the Children’s Miracle Network. Nathan has William’s Syndrome, but that really is a side note since he does not let that limit or define him.
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John Sandford
1971
John Sandford illustrates and writes stories for children. After graduating from PTHS in 1971, John studied painting and illustration at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Since his first picture book in 1978, he has added more than 65 titles.
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A book can occupy several years of planning and painting, as Sandford works to find approaches in his art to match the flavor and character of a story. Costume and location are determined, family and friends are drafted into service as models, and many drawings are made. Sandford's work has taken him to the Black Hills to research the Lakota Sioux; Lancaster, PA to learn about the Old Order Amish; and to Wisconsin’s North Woods to interview the fearsome Hodag. Sharp-eyed readers will recognize names and locations from downstate Illinois.
Married in 1975, John and Frances live in Chicago, where daughter Eleanor and her husband, Jacques Laramie, also live.
Book list and more information: http://www.sandfordarchive.com
James Scheeler
1945
James A. Scheeler, FAIA, a native of Graymont, received the BS (1951, highest honors) and MS (1952) degrees in architecture from the University of Illinois. Awarded a Fulbright scholarship and the Francis J. Plym Fellowship in Architecture in 1953, he travel extensively in Europe and undertook graduate studies in civic design and town planning in England. He practiced architecture as a principal in Richardson, Severns, Scheeler, & Associates, Champaign, Illinois from 1958 until 1973. The firm served as design and planning consultants to the University of Illinois and engaged in the general practice of architecture. Jim also served on the faculty of the School of Architecture and was active in civic and professional affairs. From 1964 to 1971 he served on the Champaign City Planning Commission, from 1969 to 1971 as its Chairman.
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Jim joined the staff of the American Institute of Architects in 1971, serving in senior executive positions including Executive Vice President. He retired from the AIA staff in 1990 but continues to serve as a volunteer as Resident Fellow, International Relations. From 1994 through 2003 he was Co-Director of the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) Professional Practice Commission. Jim served on the UNESCO-UIA Validation Council dealing with accreditation standards for degree granting programs in architecture, and the UIA Education Commission dealing with international education standards for schools of architecture. In 2005 he was elected a member of the UIA Council, the board of directors of the UIA, representing Region III, the Americas. He served two three-year terms, retiring in 2011.
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INDUCTEES: 2021
Larry Corrigan
1984
Larry Corrigan is a graduate of Pontiac Township High School class of 1984. After graduation Larry enlisted in the US Army where he volunteered for Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces Training. Upon Graduation of the Special Forces Qualification Course at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare School, Larry was assigned as a Special Operations Weapons Specialist with Co C, 2nd Bn, 5th Special Forces Group at Ft. Campbell Ky. Where he saw combat in every major conflict the US was involved in from 1988 through 2006. Larry ended his Career as a Commander of a Military Free Fall (HALO) Operational Detachment (A- Team) in 2006 when he retired a highly decorated and well-respected Chief Warrant Officer 3. His uniform is on display at the Livingston County War Museum.
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In 2000 Larry opened a small gymnastics gym In Clarksville Tn. Called Clarksville Elite Gymnastics Center that has grown to be one of the largest, most competitive, and successful gyms in the entire State and has produced numerous team and individual State and Regional Champions. Seven of his athletes have gone on to compete at the collegiate Level. Larry has expanded his gymnastics business to include the largest Gymnastics, Volleyball and Basketball equipment sales company in Tennessee as well as the largest Gymnastics event production company in the country. Larry founded and is the Chairman of the Board of the Tennessee Gymnastics Foundation, a Non-Profit Charitable organization devoted to preserving and promoting the sport of gymnastics within Tennessee and was recently inducted into both the Tennessee and the Region 8, USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Larry is recognized by USA Gymnastics as a National Level Coach and a Level 10 Judge and has as served as the USA Gymnastics State Chairman for Tennessee from 2005 to present.
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Larry is married to Traci (Harris) Corrigan - PTHS Class of 1984 has two Children, twins, Ryan (Laura Beth) Corrigan & Lauren (Paul) Wick and four grandchildren - Corrigan James Wick (4), Killian Robert Wick (2), Rylan Francis Wick (2 Months), Wren Leigh Corrigan (1 Month).
Lieutenant Colonel
Jared
1995
Lieutenant Colonel Jared was born in Pontiac, IL and graduated from PTHS in 1995 and went on to attend Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, graduating in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice and minors in Political Science, Environmental Studies, and Physical Education. Upon graduation he applied for the United Sates Air Force’s Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, AL and received his commissioning in August of 2002, at which point he proceeded on to attend Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training in San Antonio, TX. He holds aviation ratings as a Senior Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot and Senior Navigator flying the T-34, T-1, C-130E, EC-130H, DA-20E, MQ-1B, and MQ-9. He has accumulated over 3000 combat hours supporting multiple contingency operations around the world. Throughout his career in the Air Force he has served as a Commander, Deputy Commander, Joint Staff Officer, Evaluator and Instructor Pilot. The majority of his family still resides in the Pontiac area and he and his family currently live in Las Vegas, NV.
Patrick Kinas
1988
Patrick Kinas is a 1988 graduate of PTHS. He was student body president and four-year #1 player on the men’s tennis team. He fulfilled a childhood dream of broadcasting sports, a dream that began inside the PTHS gymnasium when he started calling HS basketball games at 14.
Kinas has called play-by-play for the last three Olympic Games, two on national radio and one on network television. For Westwood One/NBC Radio, swimming was his primary sport 2016 Rio Olympic Games, calling Michael Phelps’ final gold medal race, Katie Ledecky’s World Record swim and Anthony Ervin’s epic gold in the 50m freestyle. During the 2018 Pyeong Chang Olympic Games, his primary events were figure skating and short track speed skating. He was then hired by NBC Sports in 2018 to broadcast speed skating and swimming, then added to the NBC play-by-play roster for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, calling swimming for NBC.
He regularly calls college football, basketball, the NCAA Tournament and soccer on Westwood One, FS1 and other national networks. Kinas earned his undergrad degree at Millikin and his Master’s from Northwestern. He’s been broadcasting pro baseball since 1993 and is currently the radio/TV voice of the Durham Bulls.
Fred "Fritz" Pagel
1956
Fritz always says he was just a “blue-collar” worker that did the same thing day-in and day-out for 36 years while employed with Northern Illinois Gas, now NICOR. He was a Gas Mechanic Specialist, which required him to do all things in providing gas services to both residential and commercial buildings. On a daily basis he could be working heavy equipment and welding, to basic hard labor just working with his hands. To him, this was “just a job” to support his family.
Fritz’s real passion was participating in, and being around the many sports teams of Pontiac Township High School (PTHS). During his high school career, he participated in football, basketball, and track & field, earning All-Conference honors in both football and track. Upon completion of his career, he stayed close to PTHS athletics by volunteering in many areas. He has been a member of the chain gang on the sidelines of all PTHS home football games since 1960. He can always be seen at the local track & field meets, providing assistance in running the jumping events to timing on the track. Fritz has assisted in numerous ways with the PTHS Holiday Tournament. He started driving the bus for many of the sports teams, from wrestling, track & field, to hauling the equipment for the football teams. This matriculated into his driving the band members and equipment, along with the Chorus and Future Farmers of America club, across the country, from New York to Indiana to Florida, as well as chaperoning to California. Many have stated that Fritz just bleeds “orange and blue.”
Fritz was married to his high school sweetheart Donna for 56 years and they had three children. He still resides in Pontiac and remains active with PTHS anyway he can.
Chuck Studley
1946
Charles B. Studley was born on January 17th 1929 Born in Maywood, IL. At PTHS he played football, ran track and went to the sweet 16 in basketball. Graduated in 1946 from PTHS and enlisted in the Navy in order to go to college on the GI bill. Charles then served in the Navy on a submarine for two years. In 1948 he enrolled at the University of Illinois College of Physical Education. In 1949 he started on Varsity football team as offensive left guard. In 1950 he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Jobst, from Pontiac. In 1951 he was elected Captain of the football team and that year won the Big Ten Championship. In 1952 Illinois beat Stanford in the first televised Rose Bowl game in Pasadena CA on 1-7-52 by a score of 40-7 with Ray Eliot as our head coach.In 1952 he was hired at Alton HS as teacher and coach and 1955 he was hired as assistant coach at U of I under Ray Eliot. In 1960 he earned his first head coaching job at University of Massachusetts and that year became the Yankee Conference Champs; the best season ever for the University. In 1961 he was hired at The University of Cincinnati as head coach and in 1969 he was hired by Paul Brown as defensive line coach for the Cincinnati Bengals. This was his First job in the NFL. In 1979 Chuck was hired by Bill Walsh at the San Francisco 49ERS as defensive coordinator and in 1982 we won the Super Bowl played in Detroit against the Cincinnati Bengals. In 1983 he was hired as defensive Coordinator for the Houston Oilers under Eddie Biles, subsequently took over head coaching job as interim coach. In 1984 he was hired by Miami Dolphins as defensive coordinator under Don Shula and lost Super Bowl to 49ers. In 1989 he was hired back to Cincinnati. Chuck currently lives in Mason, Ohio as has been married to Peggy for 71 years. They have 6 children, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He still exercises 7 days a week and watches as much football as he can.
Joe Jobst
1942
Joe Jobst Pontiac High school class of 1942 grew up in Pontiac one of eight children. He enlisted in the US Navy upon graduation and served in the Pacific through out WWII. He took advantage of the GI Bill to graduate from Knox College and later receive a Masters Degree from Northern Illinois University.
He was on the safety patrol while a student at St. Mary’s Catholic School, and awarded a trip to Washington DC after he was recognized for safe guarding a student.
He had a distinguished career as an educator, coach, and naturalist. Teaching at El Paso High school, he met his wife, Mary. Coaching in Polo,Il. his Polo football team won a state championship. He was awarded teacher of the year at Maine West High School before returning to Pontiac as principal of Pontiac Junior High and later St. Mary’s Catholic School.
In 1981 the Rotary Club named him Citizen of the Year, and in 1999 he received the Congressional Points of Light award “for his tireless dedication to Nature’s Beauty” As Host of the Radio Show, The Nature of Things, Joe shared his passion for nature.
He was devoted to his work at Humiston Woods and was proud to have the Joseph K. Jobst Education Center named for him.
Greg Manabat
1988
Greg Manabat is an executive with three decades of experience on Wall Street and corporate management.
Greg attended St. Mary’s and PTHS, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, where he was all-Ivy League as a track sprinter.
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Greg had a distinguished financial career trading emerging country debt in Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. He was a Managing Director at Cantor Fitzgerald and headed trading desks at Standard Bank, Dresdner Bank and Smith Barney. He frequently produced record trading revenues and was recognized as an innovator in derivatives trading. Greg began his career at Merrill Lynch in New York and Hong Kong.
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Greg later was a dealmaker in private investment and shepherded several companies in new industries. As CFO of Ecogen Biosciences, he led a successful exit during the COVID pandemic. He was CEO of an Asian-based cryptocurrency project with worldwide travel alliances. Greg was instrumental in assembling the team for an AI-driven monitoring platform for mobility diseases.
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Since 2005, Greg has served as assistant commissioner of West Side Soccer League, one of the nation’s largest youth soccer organizations.
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Greg is married to Janet and has three children. They live in New York City.
John Rodino
1941
John was born on August 19, 1923, in Pontiac, IL. He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University where he was on the football team. John served our country in the US Army. He spent 27 months in combat during World War II. He was recognized with the Bronze Star, French Croix de Guerre, Presidential Unit Citation with Palm, four Overseas Service Bars, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, 45 Bronze Arrowhead, and a World War II Victory Medal.
John taught physical education at St. Mary’s School for two years before teaching at Pontiac District 429 from 1950 to 1978. He coached basketball and track. He also served as the Athletic Director and Vice Principal at Pontiac Junior High School. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a member of the Lions Club, the VFW, and the 15th infantry Regiment Association. He volunteered as a timer for track meets and was a scorekeeper for the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Lastly, John was part of the inaugural class of six Pontiac High School athletes to be inducted into the Pontiac Tribe of Indians. John passed away on October 22, 2008.
Tim Shaffer
1991
Tim Shaffer graduated from PTHS in 1991. He attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he joined the Army ROTC program. What he found was a calling that has kept him busy for over 32 years. He commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1995 and has served all over the world, including 3 combat tours. He commanded at all levels up through Battalion Command, and had the privilege of leading a Battalion in Combat. He served in numerous senior level staff assignments, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His last 5 years have been spent in Europe where he was involved in Army operations across all of Europe and Africa. Tim is currently a Colonel and serving as the Deputy Commander for Joint Force Component Command – Integrated Missile Defense where he is responsible for coordinating Global Missile Defense Operations. In addition to his degree from SIUC, he holds Masters degrees from the University of Maine and the National Defense University. Married to Patty (Hiatt), also a PTHS Class of 1991 graduate, they have enjoyed traveling the world and serving one of our Nation’s most precious resources, our Soldiers and Families who serve.
Virge Temme
1971
Virge Temme graduated from PTHS in 1971 as Virgean Tibbs. She has been a lifelong advocate for and example of women in traditionally male vocations. In high school she was the first girl to take woodshop and welding since WWII. She became a residential designer and later graduated with a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. In graduate school she led a national study for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop an historical context of the missile and radar development of the Cold War and wrote “For Want of a Home”, a history of military family housing. As a practicing architect she focused on environmentally sustainable design and construction, creating some of the most energy-efficient homes and buildings in Wisconsin. She later became one of the first female general contractors in Wisconsin, building the homes she designed. She co-authored “LEED-ing the Way: Domestic Architecture for the Future” and earned national recognition as a leader in sustainable design through her efforts in teaching, writing and mentoring about environmentally sound design.
Katie Willie
1961
Kathryn (Katie) Vicars Wille is the daughter of John and Kathryn (Casey) Vicars. She graduated from St. Mary’s School in 1957, from PTHS in 1961, earned her BA from Rosary College in 1965, served in the Peace Corps from 1965-1967 in Venezuela, and earned her MS in Education in 1971 from Illinois State University.
Katie began her teaching career of 43 years at St. Mary’s School teaching junior high students from 1968-1979 and from 1982 until her retirement in 2012. She also taught at Odell High School from 1979 through 1982 and was an adjunct faculty member at Heartland Community College from 1992-2008. As a teacher she was involved in coaching math and speech teams as well as keeping up to date with curriculum and best teaching practices.
Awards received include the Pere Marquette Award in 2003 and the Bishop Schlarman Award in 2012 for dedicated service to the Diocese of Peoria, and the Pontiac Kiwanis Club Educator of the Year Award in 2010. In retirement Katie is involved in volunteering at St. Mary’s School, Women’s Guild, Bereavement, Nursing Home, and Homebound ministries, the Liturgy Committee, and the Building Committee for St. Mary’s Church as well as being a docent for the Jones House in Pontiac.
Katie married John Wille in 1972 and they have raised six children, John, Brigid, Mike, Tom, Kate, and Maureen.
