Sacred Heart-Griffin

Mike Aiello

As a graduate of St. Aloysius Catholic School and Griffin High School, Class of 1974, Mike Aiello lives and demonstrates his faith and is a servant leader who reaches out and guides others through his many selfless acts of kindness, generosity, mentoring and giving.

Mike earned an associate degree from Springfield College in Illinois and a Business and Finance degree from Western Illinois University. Mike has worked in the financial and insurance industries for more than 40 years. He served as a loan officer and vice president of commercial loans at Marine Bank in Springfield from 1978 to 1989. In 1989, he joined Troxell, became an owner in 1992 and was named president in 1995. Today, Mike helps drive the company’s growth and commitment to providing quality products and service. During his tenure, Troxell has grown from 20 employees to more than 135 employees; expanded into five new locations, including offices in Florida, Illinois and Missouri. Troxell’s culture is built on the philosophy of giving back and is modeled by Mike. He encourages every Troxell employee to volunteer their time and talents and helps them find local chapters and boards to get involved with.

Mike is a board member for Bank of Springfield, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Advisory Board, Hope Institute for Children and Families, Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance and Memorial Health System. He has previously served as a board member for other organizations, including the Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Springfield Leadership Council, Springfield College in Illinois, Springfield Mass Transit District and United Way of Sangamon County. Mike was recognized with the President's Award for Outstanding Leadership and Dedication by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce for his leadership on the Quantum Growth Partnership (Q5) initiative

Mike is a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He also helps fund the St. Aloysius Catholic School to Sacred Heart-Griffin Scholarship. This annual scholarship, started in 1994 in memory of Mike’s parents, provides money to an eighth grade St. Aloysius student who plans to attend high school at SHG. He has also donated money to upgrade St. Aloysius’ school library, which serves students in pre-K through eighth grade. Mike provides financial support to several local charities and organizations, including the Hope Learning Academy, Kidzeum of Health and Science, Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries, St. Joseph’s Home, St. Martin De Porres Center, SHG and St. Patrick Catholic School. On any given weekend you might find him working over a hot oven at a charitable event, smiling and greeting anyone who wants a bite of his delicious pizza or preparing an amazing dinner in exchange for a donation for any number of community organizations.

Mike enjoys what he does every day, at work and at home, and has balanced building a successful career with raising a close-knit, faith-oriented family. Mike and his wife, Jill, are the proud parents of Nick and Alysse, both graduates of SHG, son-in-law, Steve Hewell and grandchildren, Leighton and Graham. He counts being a husband, father and grandfather as his greatest accomplishments. Mike’s family is his joy and giving back to his community is his passion. He is a great example of what a Sacred Heart-Griffin graduate can accomplish.

Congratulations, Mike! We are so happy to induct you into the Sacred Heart-Griffin Hall of Fame!

Debbie Grieser

Debbie received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois in 1983 and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University in 2010.

After graduation from the U of I, Deborah went to work as an accountant in Chicago, After a few years, she realized she wanted a career that would impact others and make the world better. She joined the Peace Corps, and, for two years, was sent to Malawi, where she supported credit union cooperatives. This experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer changed the trajectory of her life.

Debbie learned about the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the opportunity to work in international development. Over her 28-year career with USAID, she lived and worked in Rwanda, Guinea, Senegal, Ghana, Uganda, Ukraine and Armenia. There were a lot of highs and lows in the course of her career. In her first overseas assignment in Rwanda, she was evacuated in convoy following the outbreak of the genocide in 1994. In guinea, she served as the Embassy's Public Affairs Officer during an attempted coup d'etat and was responsible for corresponding to international press inquiries about the coup attempt.

In Uganda, Debbie managed one of USAID's largest missions overseas. She was responsible for the oversight of various programs focused primarily on the treatment of patients with HIV and programs that promoted democracy and economic growth. As Mission Director in Armenia, Deborah had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand the fantastic "velvet revolution," 40 days of peaceful citizen protests in 2018 that let to the president's resignation and swept a new democratic, reform-minded government into power. She received both the USAID Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards for outstanding USAID performance.

Vital to her is the personal relationships she developed over the years with people from all over the globe. Debbie took private language lessons to learn the people's language in whatever country she was working. She provided a home for homeless children in Uganda and Ghana. While stationed in Washington, DC, Deborah hosted two Pakistani “daughters,” who were part of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, designed to foster a global community of shared interests and values developed through better mutual understanding via first-hand participation of high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations.

Deborah retired from USAID’s Foreign Service in November of 2020 and is again working for USAID, serving as an Advisor for the Office of Human Capital and Talent and Career Counselor for USAID Foreign Service Officers. Deborah lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, two daughters, and a stepson.

With pride in your international work and tremendous gratitude for your tireless service throughout the world, we are proud to have you as our 2022 inductee into the Sacred Heart-Griffin Hall of Fame.

Matthew A. Noonan, III

Matthew A. Noonan, III graduated from Griffin High School in 1964. Matt earned his Associate of Arts Degree at Springfield College and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce from St. Louis University.

Upon graduation from college, Matt gave to his country by enlisting in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He trained to become an Army Aviator for the Medical Service Corps, requiring him to fly his medical evacuation helicopter into hostile territory to gather the wounded and transport them to military hospitals. During his time of service in Vietnam, his expedient evacuation of approximately 2,000 soldiers to medical care contributed to an extremely high survival rate.

After his military service, Matt was President and Owner of Noonan Hardware from 1971-2018. He grew his business from a small 2500 square foot hardware store on Springfield’s North end to three hardware and rental locations throughout Springfield. In a challenging era for small business owners, Matt thrived in the community he loves.

Matt has always believed in the value of giving back. As a parishioner of St. Aloysius for over 45 years, he served on numerous committees, including the school Advisory Board, Chair of the Finance Committee, and Co-chair of the Annual Spaghetti Dinner. He was also a member of the St. John’s Hospital Advisory Committee and the Springfield Health Department Advisory Board. While sending four kids to SHG, he was on the SHG Building & Grounds Planning Committee.

Matt is a member and past president of the Springfield North Kiwanis Club. He was a board member of the Midwest Hardware Association and also served as president. Matt is a member of the Marine Bank Advisory Board and a lifetime member of both the North end VFW and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association.

Matt’s generosity, loving spirit, and Christian kindness have been witnessed by many over the years at his hardware stores. Whether it was a donation for a local charity, a gift for a school auction, or simply paying for someone’s plumbing parts because they couldn’t afford them, Matt was always willing to help those who needed it most. His parents taught these traits, and he has made sure to instill the importance of these traits in his four children. With all of his achievements, Matt will tell you that his greatest accomplishment is raising four children in the Catholic faith, all of whom are now raising their children within the Catholic community.

It is with much pride and gratitude for your service to so many in a variety of ways, Matt, that I induct you into the Sacred Heart-Griffin Hall of Fame.

Christine Bodewes

Christine Bodewes graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1983, and went to St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN and graduated magna cum laude in History and Government in 1987. She graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law with her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1990. Then in 2009 she received her Ph.D. in African Christianity from the University of London, School of African and Oriental Studies in London, England.

After graduating from the U of I with her law degree, Chris worked at the Chicago law firm of Sachnoff & Weaver, Ltd. as a partner in the litigation department until 1997. In 1998, she joined the Maryknoll Mission of the Faithful and traveled to Nairobi, Kenya where she was a staff attorney at Kituo cha Sheria Legal Aid Clinic. In this position she co-founded the land rights program and devised legal strategies and lobbying tactics to help communities in the informal sector defend their land and housing rights. She also co-founded Pamoja Trust, a Kenyan NGO that supports communities in the informal sector to improve housing and infrastructure.

In 2002, she established the Office of Human Rights in Kibera Settlement. This included managing all aspects of the office including program design and implementation and recruitment and training of staff. Chris also presented and participated in numerous international forums organized by UN-Habitat, the European Union, Slum Dwellers International and Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions related to urban development, land tenure and housing rights. She orchestrated several networks of NGOs and faith-based organizations working on human rights issues in the informal sector. Using her law experience, Chris provided legal advice to indigent clients on issues related to land tenure, housing rights, government corruption, employment and criminal matters. A benefit of this work, was the publishing of findings from a two-year social analysis of economic, social and political issues in Kibera.

Since 2010, Ms. Bodewes has been Regional Director of Porticus Africa. Porticus is an international organization with 13 offices across five continents with 170 staff that manage and develop the grant-giving programs of charitable entities established by the Brenninkmeijer famiy entrepreneurs. The philanthropic activities of Porticus are inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, which provide a set of principles that encourage people to take action for the common good. The charitable projects supported span the areas of child safeguarding, education, faith, economic development, climate change and promote respect for human dignity, social justice and sustainability. In 2018, Porticus supported over 2,000 projects in more than 90 countries.

In March 2017, Chris took on the responsibilities of Global Portfolio Manager for Vital Church Communities. In this position, she manages a virtual team of 11 staff from six regional offices who develop and implement global strategy on enhancing Catholic Church communities.

It is difficult to separate Ms. Bodewes’ career from her contributions to society. Chris has chosen a profession that is integral to improving the lives of people in Kenya. She has applied her legal education and training directly to her work. In her current position, it is her daily responsibility to identify opportunities to improve human lives, including funding projects in education, health care, sustainability and economic development.

It is with great gratitude and pride that I induct Christine Bodewes into the 2019 Sacred Heart-Griffin Hall of Fame for her strong commitment to Gospel values and for her daily preaching from the pulpit of her life. Chris is in Africa and unable to be here so I present her award to her parents Herman and Carolyn Bodewes. I am grateful for the strong foundation in Gospel values that they instilled in Chris.

Daniel J. Dondanville

Daniel J. Dondanville graduated from Griffin High School in 1978 and Notre Dame University in 1982, later being named the Alumni of the Year by the Notre Dame Club of Springfield. For the last 35 years, Dan has worked at Merrill Lynch. Through Dan’s astute financial planning his clients have expanded their businesses, bought homes, sent their children and grandchildren to Catholic schools, and have given back to their communities in ways many of them never imagined possible. He served as manager of the Springfield office of Merrill Lynch for 28 years until he retired from that position last July. While he was manager, Dan influenced the national office to keep the local office in downtown Springfield at a time when many businesses were relocating to modern facilities on the west side. Most importantly, his leadership set the tone for an office culture of success balanced with concern for others. He hired, mentored and nurtured many aspiring financial advisors and client associates who have enjoyed long and successful careers. His leadership among his colleagues was recognized by receiving Merrill Lynch’s Life-Time Achievement Award for his service within the Springfield community. In 2015, he was named among the top 400 U.S. Retirement Plan Advisors by Financial Times Magazine. So not surprisingly, in November of 2017 Dan received Merrill Lynch’s prestigious David Brady Award—named for a Merrill Lynch wealth advisor who lost his life on September 11. This award recognizes 10 U.S. based Merrill Lynch employees each year who demonstrate outstanding philanthropy, client focus and overall commitment to Merrill Lynch and their local community.

Dan exhibits excellent stewardship of his time, talent and treasure. Some of the local organizations that have benefited from his behind-the-scenes style of service are Little Flower School, Lincoln Land Community College, the Boys & Girls Club, Springfield Youth Football, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Contact Ministries, St. Joseph’s Home and St. John’s Hospital.

Here at SHG, Dan has served in many capacities, including service on the board and several committees. While serving on the Sacred Heart-Griffin Advisory Board, Dan’s expertise on the finance committee was significant for the sustainability of our school. Over the years, his personal financial generosity along with giving of his time and energy have enhanced SHG. His commitment to SHG is like his commitment to anything he values which is doing whatever is needed-preferably behind the scenes and with minimal fanfare.

An illustration of how Dan lives his faith is in his service as coach of his son Tim’s youth football team. Many of the boys on the team came from underserved neighborhoods with few positive role models. Mr. Dondanville saw these boys as talented, energetic young men who could be inspired to do great things. When he realized that some of the players didn’t have transportation back and forth to practice, he picked them up and brought them home—always with a stop at the McDonald’s drive-thru before dropping them off. Dan was so concerned about the wellbeing of one of the players that he invited him to live with the Dondanville family and later became his legal guardian. This young man successfully graduated from SHG and college and is now working hard to make his professional and personal dreams come true.

Dan’s humility and grace have influenced and inspired so many lives within his own family, his extended family, among his friends and even the broader Springfield community. His example of “doing the right thing for the right reason” is a testimonial to his integrity. Dan reminds us that our gifts are not given for our own benefit but for the enrichment of others. Simply put Dan selflessly serves.

Dan and Anne his wife of 33 years are the proud parents of Brian, Tim, Adrian Cave, Patrick and Roger, all graduates of SHG. A plaque that hangs in Dan’s father’s home reads, “The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” Dan truly lives these words and the life of love, faith, kindness and loyalty that he and Anne live is a shining example for not only their sons but for all who know them. Because Dan truly walks the walk of living the Gospel, it is my privilege to induct Daniel J. Dondanville into the Sacred Heart-Griffin Hall of Fame.

John Eck, Sr.

John Eck, Sr. is a 1958 graduate of Cathedral Boys High School and a 1962 graduate of Notre Dame University with a degree in accounting, where he was later the recipient of the Award of the Year from the Central Illinois Notre Dame Alumni Club. As a certified public accountant, he has used his CPA background in providing assistance to many organizations such as, the CPA Management Services, Inc., the National Management of Accounting Practices committee, the National Association of Treasures of Religious Orders accounting manual.

Throughout the city of Springfield and beyond, John has served on more boards than we can name today and was instrumental in forming several of these boards. He helped Sister Dominica Brennan, then prioress of the Dominican Sisters, begin the Sacred Heart Academy Lay Advisory Board and served as its first Chairman; he was part of the feasibility committee to study combining Sacred Heart Academy and Griffin High School; and most recently, he worked with the Dominican Sisters to help them design a Development Office. John served as Chairman of Springfield College in Illinois Board of Trustees when they merged with Benedictine University, and was instrumental in establishing the Catholic High School Fund Drive. While president of the Boys & Girls Club, he began a program to purchase Christmas gifts of hats and gloves for children in the club. John was one of the four original members of St. John’s Hospital Foundation. When St. Patrick’s was facing closure if funds weren’t raised in a short time, John spearheaded the fundraising effort, and the school is still a vibrant presence on the city’s east side.

John’s expertise in finances has always been a talent that he generously shares with other. Presently, he serves on the advisory board of the Monastery of Mary the Queen Dominican Nuns, helping them to raise money to build a monastery in Girard, IL. The first thing he did when asked to assist them was to help them realize the fundraising company they had hired was not fulfilling their contract. The company was costing the congregation far more money than they were raising. Together with another gentleman, John has spent countless hours meeting with the nuns and calling on individuals and corporations to donate for the construction of their monastery. Clearly, Mr. Eck is never one to shy away from fundraising when needed.

John has two daughters, who attended Sacred Heart Academy, and they both share a similar story about their dad. At graduation time, a girl in each of their classes owed her final tuition payment and wasn’t going to graduate. Anonymously, Mr. Eck came to the academy and paid the last tuition bill for each young woman so that she could graduate. His daughter commented that her dad probably won’t be happy that this story is being told because he didn’t want anyone to know that he had done this.

When the Land of Lincoln Community Foundation was first established, John started an Eck Family Fund to help those who need monetary assistance. Most of the distributions from this fund have been for the benefit and betterment of children.

Mr. Eck has worked hard during his life to balance the love and responsibility he feels toward his family along with his belief that he has a responsibility to share his talent and treasure with the broader Springfield community. Catholic education in Springfield and, particularly, at SHG has been enhanced and propelled by this belief.

John and his wife Linda of 54 years have four children Cris Lust, John, Jr., Tom, and Paula Clifton who have all graduated from Sacred Heart Academy or Griffin High School. Notably, John shares the stage today with two of his twelve grandchildren. Because John so generously shares his time, talent and treasure with so many people and institutions, it is my privilege to induct him into the Sacred Heart-Griffin Hall of Fame, joining his sister and son among this prestigious group of alumni.

Chris Butler

Chris Butler, CFSP, was born in Springfield, and is a graduate of Christ the King Grade School, Griffin High School, Springfield College in Illinois, the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Forest Park Mortuary Science Program and the National Foundation of Funeral Service School of Management.

Chris currently serves as the President and COO of the Butler Family of Organizations, which includes Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home; Butler Cremation Tribute Center and Butler Pet Services; Lincoln Land Cremation Society; Roselawn Memorial Park and Roselawn Pet Cemetery; and Boardman-Smith Funeral Home.

With more than 25 years of experience in the death care industry, Chris is currently responsible for the oversight of five facilities and more than 60 employees. He is a forward-thinking business leader who consistently seeks improvement for himself and his staff, and as well as for the families he is privileged to serve each day.

Chris learned from his family the importance of community involvement and benevolence as part of the organization. He took the organization’s community philanthropy to a new level by creating the Butler Community Endowment Fund as part of the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. A contribution to the fund is made in memory of each person served by the Butler Family Funeral Homes, as well as for each pet assisted through Butler Pet Services. Each year, these funds are used to assist local charities working to improve the quality of life for the Springfield community.

As a fervent believer in the importance of faith in grieving and funeral practices, Chris has dedicated much of his career to educating Catholics, and people of all faiths, in funeral practices and shepherding them along the grieving process. The Butler Funeral Home Library serves as a wonderful community resource for grieving families.

Chris also established the Continued Care Program, which includes presentations and workshops by nationally recognized grief therapists and authors, including the Holiday Help program, an annual grief seminar open at no charge to the entire community, designed to assist grieving families during the holidays. He also created a Veterans Tribute Program, which offers special cost savings for veterans and their families.

Chris has served on numerous boards, councils, and committees within the Springfield community. He is a member of Christ the King Parish, where he was honored as the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus. He serves on the CTK school board; is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4179 and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Bishop Griffin Assembly. Within the broader Springfield community, he is a member of Downtown Springfield, Inc.; The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce; and American Business Club, of which he is a past board member and past president. Chris also is an ambassador for the Hope Institute for Children and Families, and serves on the advisory councils for St. Patrick’s Catholic School and the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. In 2013, Chris and Butler Funeral Homes were honored by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce with the Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chris and his wife Val have two daughters, Camilla and Audra.

Sergio "Satch" Pecori

Sergio “Satch” Pecori was born in Italy. As an immigrant he faced many obstacles in life and is an exceptional example of what someone can achieve through Catholic education. He attended St. Joseph’s grade school and at the time of his enrollment knew little English. Even as Satch and his brother Claudio learned English, it was difficult because their parents didn’t speak English. One of his friends says that Satch is very proud of his background and is quick to point out buildings where his father laid the terrazzo flooring, which is still in excellent condition. Satch’s parents knew the importance of education. His father prohibited him from being involved in extracurricular activities, saying, “You go to school to get an education.” Satch was an exceptional student and excelled at St. Joseph’s before moving on to Griffin High School where he graduated in 1968. At the University of Illinois Champaign he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1973 and Master’s in the same field in 1974. He obviously heeded his father’s advice that you go to school to get an education! Mr. Pecori was a recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and is a Distinguished Chapter Honor Member of the university’s Chi Epsilon, a national civil engineering honor society.

Satch joined Hanson Professional Services, Inc. and worked his way up to being its president and CEO. Under Stach’s leadership the employee owned Hanson, has become an award winning, national consulting firm providing engineering, planning and allied services. Aware of the inconvenience of the railroad cutting through the city, he worked with Senator Dick Durbin to relocate the railroad to Tenth Street, a project in which Hanson is deeply involved. Not surprisingly, Mr. Pecori is a strong proponent of educational and mentoring opportunities. He has been instrumental in Hanson’s development and implementation of the Grow Our Own Minority Participation Program—a local program designed to mentor minority youth in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. In 2011 Hanson received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s Freedom Award—the U.S. Department of Defense’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

In spite of his frequent travels, Satch is very connected to the City of Springfield. He has served on several local boards: Memorial Medical Health System, the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, the Hope Institute Foundation, Network Knowledge- PBS TV, the American Red Cross and Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Advisory Board. He has been a director of the Illinois National Bank in Springfield since its inception. Satch was the recipient of the 2015 Trailblazer Award. His leadership in the community is well known and revered.

Satch and his wife Rosemary are the proud parents of Carlo and Anna both graduates of Christ the King grade school and Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. Satch is an outstanding example of how Catholic schools helped immigrant families in the middle of the 20 th century provide unlimited opportunities for their children.

PJ Staab

PJ Staab graduated from Griffin High School in 1976 and attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he received his associate degree in mortuary science.

Having worked in nearly every position at Staab Funeral Home, including grounds and maintenance, PJ currently is president of Staab Funeral Home. He and his family are dedicated to providing funeral services for the underserved in the Springfield area. Numerous times each year, Staab Funeral Home buries or cremates those who have no family or friends.
Staab is involved in many activities throughout the Springfield area. He assisted in the construction of the Spaulding Veterans Memorial and the New Berlin Area Veterans Memorial and now serves on both of their boards. Having been a life-time member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, he served on the executive committee for its restoration and helped with the campaign to fund this project. Staab has served on almost every committee and activity at Cathedral.
Most recently, he worked with combat veterans to recreate the funeral hearse that carried President Lincoln to his final resting place at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Staab was instrumental in the historical weekend when Springfield re-enacted the funeral procession of President Lincoln in honor of the 150th Anniversary of Lincoln’s Death.
Staab Funeral Home very generously participated in the SHG Internship program, sponsoring several interns at the funeral home which allowed students to gain experience in the work place while earning tuition assistance. Paul John Staab II has been married to Ruth for thirty years and they have six children, Elizabeth, Courtney, Paul John III, Lauren, Peter and Parker, who all attended SHG.

Paul Palazzolo

Paul Palazzolo graduated from Griffin High School in 1984 and furthered his education at the University of Illinois Champaign where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Paul is currently serving as Sangamon County Auditor, an elected position he has held for nearly a decade. He is also president of Kiwanis International, an organization he first connected with when he joined the Key Club at Griffin High School. He has maintained that connection with the school’s club by serving as the Kiwanis Advisor to the Sacred Heart-Griffin Key Club for more than 20 years. While serving as Kiwanis International President, Paul has circled the globe to promote the organization, grow its membership and assist its leaders as they attempt to serve the children of their communities. Under Paul’s leadership, Kiwanis International joined UNICEF in the fight to eliminate Maternal Neonatal Tetanus, a disease which takes the life of more than 50,000 newborn children and many new mothers each year.He is also an active supporter of the Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights Campaign and has been for many years. He and his entire family have been bell ringers, and he and his wife, Suanne, have twice served as chairpersons for the Tree of Lights Campaign which encourages bell ringingdonations and volunteers. He is also a supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central Illinois, helping to grant the last wishes of terminally ill children. Paul is also involved with the Springfield Urban League, Hoogland Center for the Arts, Senior Services Center, Springfield Airport Authority, Knights of Columbus, Cathedral Parish and the Springfield Park Board.Paul has also served as co-chair for Phase Two of the Sacred Heart-Griffin Generations Construction and Renovation Campaign and is the parent of a senior.

Michele Reavy

Michele Brahler Reavy graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1980 and furthered her education at Lincoln Land Community College. She has served on the Sacred Heart-Griffin Governing Board, has chaired the Facilities and Building Committee and has served on the Fine Arts Board. She is also a member of the Generation Construction and Renovation Campaign.

Michele, along with her sister-in-law, started the Dough for Dresses fundraiser which allows girls to buy gently used formal dresses for school dances.

She has been involved with SHG athletics for the past 26 years. She has worked with the football, basketball, volleyball, baseball and track and field teams planning dinners, raising money for new uniforms and putting together team booklets. She is also the woman behind the flash mob dance routine that has become hugely popular at the City Tournament. Michele has also organized 15 successful years of the All-City Food Drive for the St. Martin De Porres Center; she also started the Spirit of Giving Award.

Michele very involved at Christ the King and has been for the past 34 years. She has served as a room mother, fundraiser and pep-rally organizer. She has planned graduation and confirmation celebrations as well as many food drives. She also organized the Children’s Raffle to raise money for playground equipment and classroom enrichment.

For more than a decade, Michele has helped coordinate the Friend-in-Deed golf outing that benefits The State Journal-Register’s annual holiday charity that provides food and clothing to Springfield’s poor. She is also a dedicated volunteer and fundraiser at St. Martin de Porres Center.

Father Thomas Von Behren

Father Thomas von Behren, C.S.V. graduated from Griffin High School in 1971 and furthered his education at Loyola University in Chicago, receiving a B. A. and later a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union as well as an M.A. in education from the University of San Francisco.

Father Tom took his first vows in the Clerics of St. Viator on June 17, 1978 and was ordained to the priesthood and said his first Mass in his home parish of Blessed Sacrament in April 1983. As a Clerics of St. Viator, he has dedicated his life to education and the service of others. Some of his ministries were serving on the faculty of Griffin High School, President of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and President of St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights.

Throughout his priestly ministry, Father von Behren has been dedicated to providing resources and services for the elderly, mentally disabled and youth of the communities in which he lived. Father Tom has been diligent in his service to retired priests and brothers, having founded and directed the outreach programs and hospice centers for retired members of the Viatorian Community. As Vocation Director, he designed and directed the first house of discernment in the United States for men considering religious life as a priest or brother in the Clerics of St. Viator.

In 2005, Father Tom was elected Provincial Superior of the Clerics of St. Viator, a position he holds presently. During his time as Provincial, he has provided exceptional leadership and support for local ministries in Belize, Columbia and Mexico, which are dedicated to serving youth and the less fortunate in those countries. He provides guidance, support and leadership to hundreds of Viatorian priests, brothers and the people with whom they minister and serve in almost every state in the Country.

Michele Selvaggio Nevins

Michele Selvaggio Nevins graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1975. She received an associate degree from Springfield College and continued her education at Eastern Illinois University. Michele was a dynamic force in the family business, serving as President of MTM Metal Fabrications and as Secretary/Treasurer of Selvaggio Steel.

Michele’s role as wife and mother was the heart and soul of her life. Cherishing what Catholic education had meant in her own life, she worked tirelessly as a young mother in every volunteer position at Little Flower School. As a champion for Catholic education, Michele worked to perpetuate the opportunity for all children to have access to high quality Catholic education. As her children moved on to high school, she immersed herself in programs at that level, particularly by holding virtually every position on the SHG Booster Board. As a community leader, Michele was able to create networks of people who worked not only in the Catholic community, but in the greater Springfield community as well. She organized literally thousands of hours of volunteer efforts to support events that would benefit young people in particular. Her method for success, regardless of the situation, was to put on a big smile, get people together, and get to work.

Michele’s untimely death was a great loss to all of us who knew and loved her, but her love for life and dedication to worthwhile causes, especially on behalf of Catholic education, should inspire all of us to carry on the work she so nobly advanced.

In honor of the Dominican Sisters, and in memory of Helen Johnson-Selvaggio ’47 and her daughter Michele Selvaggio-Nevins ’75, this cross was dedicated in the spring of 2008, and resides in the courtyard of the Springfield Dominican Motherhouse.

Bishop Kevin Vann

Kevin Vann is a well known name in the city of Springfield. A 1969 graduate of Griffin High School, he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Springfield on May 30, 1981. Before becoming Bishop of Fort Worth, Texas, on May 17, 2005, Father Vann served as pastor of Blessed Sacrament from 2001-2005 where he worked with the parishioners to renovate the church. He ministered a total of ten years at Blessed Sacrament serving as parochial vicar from 1985-1990.

From 1981-1985 he studied at the Pontifical University in Rome to earn his doctorate in canon law. Along with his parish duties he ministered in the diocesan tribunal from 1985-1994. While pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, he served as Dean of the Decatur Deanery from 1996-2001.

The nominating committee used these words to describe Bishop Vann: “achievement, dedication, excellence, esteem, honor and prestige”.

His nominator noted this incident as characteristic of Bishop Kevin Vann: While he was pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Decatur, he frequently dined at a Mexican restaurant. One day he was approached by two workers who said they were Catholic but found it difficult to attend Sunday Mass in Decatur. Without hesitation, Father Vann offered to have a weekly Spanish Mass at his parish. For the next two summers Fr. Vann spent time in Mexico to become fluent in Spanish and minister more effectively with the Spanish speaking people in the Decatur area. It is no surprise that Bishop Vann served as Episcopal contact for Hispanic Ministry in the diocese from 1999-2005.

Bishop Kevin Vann was officially inducted into the Sacred Heart-Griffin Hall of Fame at the SHG graduation ceremony on May 21, 2006 at Sangamon Auditorium. Because of his pastoral duties in Texas, Bishop Vann was unable to accept this award. His sister Mary Therese Vann, a 1979 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy accepted the award on her brother’s behalf.

Jack And Peg (Senger) Coleman

Jack and Peg Coleman. You can’t say one’s name without the other. Jack is a 1945 graduate of Cathedral Boys High School and Peg (Senger) graduated in 1946 from Sacred Heart-Academy. They are the parents of Bernie (Griffin 69), Kathy, SHA 73) and Michelle, (SHA 87). They have eight grandchildren. They married in 1950 and have been a team, working side-by-side, devoted to each other and their family for 55 years.

Generous, Humble, Hard Working, Devoted, Caring, Christian are just a few words that describe the Colemans.As stated by one of their friends who nominated them for this award, they worked hard to be active, supportive parents. They have volunteered for numerous organizations throughout their lives and began volunteering at the Mostacciolli Dinner in 1966 – forty years ago, most notably by running the carry out line. In past years, Jack would bring in his own stoves and equipment and prepared the cooking area long before the other volunteers would get there to work.

For 41 years, they have run the concession stand for our home football games, they also manage the concessions for the basketball games as well as the State Boys Baseball Tournament, donating a percentage of their proceeds back to the school…..and for that, we are most grateful. They have been active members of St. Agnes parish for over fifty years. They were active scout leaders for many years. Peg bakes for funeral dinners and helps serve and clean up. Jack did plumbing work at the Rectory. Peg is active in the altar society. She purchased and wrapped the Christmas gifts for all the St. Agnes teachers for many years with money contributed by school families. Peg and her daughters bake all the cakes for the school’s annual chili dinner. They are always available when work needs to be done.

Their Nominator wrote: The legacy Peg and Jack are leaving is perhaps their largest and most important contribution to SHG and our community. Their three children, one daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren are all following in their footsteps. They have learned from the masters how to enjoy giving and giving and giving.The Colemans learned long ago to serve God by serving others. May God continue to bless them and grant them good health, happiness, peace and joy for many years to come.

James “Jim” Brahler

Jim Brahler, the name is synonymous with generosity, kindness and concern for others. Jim is a 1957 graduate of Cathedral Boys High School . He pursued a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Illinois College in Jacksonville . Certainly Brahler Tire Mart and Brahler Lube Centers are proof that Jim learned a great deal about running a good business. His reputation tells the story of a successful businessman, as well as an understanding and compassionate employer. What started as a small-scale tire mart has become one of Springfield ’s most successful locally owned businesses. Brahler Tire Mart and Brahler Lube Centers employ 67 people, including four longtime employees who have been with Jim for 27 years.

Jim’s family have a father and grandfather to be proud of; they have a mentor and role model of a truly dedicated Christian, a selfless volunteer, a faithful friend and a committed steward. Consider his twelve year’s as chairperson of the Friend-in-Deed golf outing. The event raised more than $800,000 in that time. St. Martin de Porres center knows Jim as a dedicated and loyal volunteer. In addition to working there 5-6 days a week, Jim has helped raise more than $115,000 for the Center; he provides two vans for the Center’s exclusive use and takes care of all expenses for the vans.

Jim Brahler is a blessing. He is a blessing to his family—three sons and two daughters; a blessing to Irene and Carol; a blessing to his many grandchildren; a blessing to the Springfield community and a blessing to the many persons who come to St. Martin ’s for food, clothing and daily necessities. Jim Brahler is a graduate of Catholic secondary education who integrated the values that Catholic schools endorse. Jim knows the real meaning of “Love God with your whole heart your whole mind and your whole soul and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Edmund Hull

Edmund Hull is a 1967 graduate of Griffin High School . In high school Edmund was active on the newspaper staff and student senate. He was a National Merit Scholar and Marine Bank Student of the Year. He has publicly attributed his success in life to his Catholic education at Blessed Sacrament and Griffin High School . Edmund is married to Amal Hull; they have two daughters. Lena is studying abroad this year at Oxford ; Leila, after graduating from Bryn Mawr, works with Human Rights Watch in New York City .

After spending two years with the Peace Corps in North Africa, Edmond received the Woodrow Wilson Scholarship of Public and International Affairs at Princeton , where he studied International Affairs, graduating with honors.

Having spent 33 years in the Middle East , Edmund has an in depth knowledge of the Arab culture. During the Camp David period, he was assigned to Jerusalem , working primarily with the Palestinians. He is a career member of the US Foreign Service; his present assignment is United States Ambassador to Yemen . He was sworn in for that position just five days ahead of the destruction of the Twin towers on 9-11. He was willing to take this dangerous position in the front line of terrorism. During his stay in Yemen, there have been threats to destroy the Embassy; yet he remained in the center of the turmoil working in the face of terrorism. His efforts in Yemen have been directed toward training and supporting the Yemeni security services. Counter-terrorism efforts there have put considerable emphasis on economic development, especially in the remote, tribal areas where Al Qa’ ida had been able to establish operating space in the past. Human rights and democracy have been key values during Edmund’s time as Ambassador. This past year the Embassy supported free and fair parliamentary elections along with supporting Yemen ’s human rights minister—a woman. The Embassy, under the direction of Edmund, has cooperated in projects with many Yemeni non-governmental organizations.

Roy R. Gillespie

Mr. Roy Gillespie is a 1946 graduate of Cathedral Boys High School. Roy was called home to his God on February 5, 2002, at the age of 73. He was the kind of person that never met a stranger or passed up an opportunity to helped young people. His career began as a general news career for the former Illinois State Register. There he was a police reporter, a state editor and finally a sports editor before moving to Washington, PA. His career in Washington from 1958 until 1996 was with the Pony League Corporation. He was commissioner of the organization in the United States and later it’s international president.

Roy was associated with countless civic, service, social, church and other charitable organizations in the Washington, PA area. He and his wife, Rose, had eight children, whom roy loved and cared for tirelessly, according to his son Kevin. That devotion was mirrored in everything he did for the city of Washington, PA and its people.

Being a member of the Hall of Fame is not new to Roy Gillespie. He is a member of Bradley University’s Athletic Hall of Fame, Washington-Greene County Sports Hall of Fame and is a two-time inductee into the Springfield Sports Hall of fame for basketball and sports writing.

Mr. Hal Hildebrand, Roy’s classmate and longtime friend, nominated him for Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Hall of Fame. At the time of his death in 2002, one of Roy’s co-workers credited him with "....making Washington a better place to live." That very statement echoes the tradition of his alma mater, CBHS. Roy was one of the many who carried the ideals of their Catholic education beyond the city of Springfield and boundaries of Illinois. Just as so many of our graduates have gone on to make Springfield a better place, Roy took his spirit and dedication to another city. The skills he learned as a CBHS student served him well and he served well the traditions of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School.

Sister Mary Dominic Joerger

Sister Mary Dominic Joerger is a 1943 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. She grew up on a farm in Mendota, Illinois, and has always been a friend to those in need. Kindness and concern for others is part of her very being.

After forty-seven years in the education field as a teacher and administrator, Sister Mary Dominic began a new career from the basement of St. Patrick Convent on East South Grand Avenue. She received and disbursed clothing and other items for the less fortunate in Springfield. Soon her ministry moved down the street to an old Hardee’s building, which had been donated to the parish by the Hardee’s restaurants in the Springfield area. Thus began St. Martin dePorres Center. Sister served as the administrator of the Center from 1992 to 2001. She enlisted the help of countless volunteers to assist her in distributing food, clothing, household items and whatever else that came her way to share. One of Sister Mary Dominic’s most faithful volunteers, Mr. Gene Humphrevillenominated Sister for the Sacred Heart-Griffin Hall of Fame. Gene worked at Sister’s side during her eleven years at St. Martin dePorres Center. He knows well Sister’s selfless service and dedication to others.

Whether it was food to give away, cleaning to be done at the Center, or ways to rehabilitate the building, Sister Mary Dominic was behind every effort. Today St. Martin dePorres Center is the largest food pantry in central and southern Illinois operated entirely by a staff of volunteers.

Sister Mary Dominic is the kind of person who never sought any kind of recognition. She quietly labored in the background to work a kind of miracle for the disadvantaged. "Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me," is a scripture that expresses the heart and mission of Sr. Mary Dominic Joerger.

David E. Humphreville

David Humphreville is a 1974 graduate of Griffin High School and the salutatorian of that class. He is a 1978 graduate of Yale University and a 1982 graduate of Virginia Law School. Throughout his academic years he excelled in learning and athletics. His interest in world affairs dates back to his grade school days at Blessed Sacrament Grade School. His career has taken him from a prestigious New York law firm to his work in political campaigns and elections in five continents. Among his international activities, he has worked with elections in Greece, Cambodia, South Africa, Argentina and Mexico. His efforts in these countries promoted fair access to voter registration, voter education and safe access to polling stations. In Haiti he coordinated efforts to provide water, sanitary facilities and electricity to villages in the aftermath of violence and war. In the United States he has served on positions in Senate races in New Jersey, Louisiana and Oregon, and assisted on specific projects and events for the President Clinton 1992 campaign. He has been an advisor to the Stock Exchanges in Brazil, Columbia and Argentina. Today David is a legislative liaison for a Wall Street trade association where he serves as the Executive Director and President of the National Specialist Association. His interests in world affairs have not overshadowed his awareness of local needs. His generosity has extended to successful fundraisers for many charities, including the St. Martin de Porres Center in Springfield. David Humphreville reflects the broad influence of graduates of the tradition of Catholic education in Springfield. We are honored to induct him into the Sacred Heart-Griffin Hall of Fame.

Lacy Wright, Jr.

Lacy Wright has spent years in diplomatic service in Washington, D.C. and in eight foreign countries as an adviser on refugee policy and as a policy adviser to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington. He is also founder of Wright International, Inc., a business consulting firm specializing in trade between the U.S. and Brazil. In a long and varied career that began with teaching Latin, world history and English to students at St. Benedicts High School in Chicago, to an international businessman and consultant, Wright has shone. After teaching at St. Benedicts, he went on to report political, economic and military events in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam to the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, and became an aide to the U.S. Embassy in London where he promoted American exports to Britain. He also worked as acting general and political officer in Saigon in the mid-1970s and as deputy consul general in Milan, Italy from 1976 to 1978. He then became the officer in charge of Italian and Vatican affairs in Washington, D.C. In 1979, he coordinated the first visit of Pope John Paul II to the U.S. and accompanied the trip throughout the country. In 1980 he was named deputy director of the Office of U.N. Political Affairs in Washington, D.C. In 1985, Wright became the refugee section chief for the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. In 1988, he began several stints serving as deputy ambassador for the United States at U.S. Embassies in Trinidad and Tobago, Kingston, Jamaica and Brasillia, Brazil. Before starting his own company in 1998, he served as senior adviser for Latin America in the Caribbean to the United Nations.

John C. "Jack" Ensch

A 1955 graduate of Cathedral Boys High School, Captain John C. "Jack" Ensch, USN (Ret.) graduated from Illinois State University in 1964 and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy the following year, following Aviation Officer Candidate training at NAS Pensacola, Florida.

During his long and illustrious career, Captain Ensch logged over 3000 flight hours and 800 carrier landings in both F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcat fighters. He made 4 combat deployments to Southeast Asia, flew over 285 combat missions, and was credited with 2 confirmed MiG-17 shoot-downs. He was shot down over North Vietnam by a surface-to-air (SAM) missile in 1972 and held as a prisoner of war in Hanoi until he returned with the last group of repatriated officers in 1973.

He was awarded the Navy Cross, Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star with Combat "V" (two awards), Purple Heart (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Medal (18 awards), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" (three awards), Prisoner of War Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and various other individual, unit and service awards.

Captain Ensch served with distinction in a variety of high-level positions including Executive Officer of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 114, Key West Naval Air Station, and the Naval Training Center at San Diego, plus others too numerous to mention.

While in the Navy, Captain Ensch received a Master’s Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and a diploma from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. He retired in 1995, and has since joined the San Diego Padres Baseball Club as Director of Military Marketing.

Captain Ensch is married to the former Kathryn Ubben of Pekin, Illinois. They have three daughters, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Christine and four grandchildren, Sydney, Ryan, Mathew and Emily.