St. Anthony Inducts 2018 Hall of Fame Members, Announces 2018 Booster Club Member of Year

(FROM LEFT, BOB HECHT, JIM HECHT, DAN HECHT JR., FATHER CHUCK EDWARDS, JERRY HECHT, COLLEEN NUXOLL, SISTER CAROL JEAN HECHT SSND)

St. Anthony of Padua Pastor Fr. Chuck Edwards has announced this year’s inductees into the St. Anthony Hall of Fame and the St. Anthony Booster Club Member of the Year. The announcement came at a reception with more than 200 attendees April 7 at the Thelma Keller Convention Center. The Hall of Fame honorees include the Dan Sr. and Gerry Hecht Family, Fr. Ben Meyer, and Dr. Danielle Grunloh-Gumpenberger. Mike and Shelly Martelli were recognized as the Booster Club Member of the Year.

Fr. Edwards remarked, “We are so proud of every member of our parish family. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize those setting an example of discipleship for us all. Our entire community is a better place for their contributions, actions and examples.”

(ST. ANTHONY ALUMNI AWARD WINNER FR. BEN MEYER)

The St. Anthony of Padua Hall of Fame was created in 2008 to honor those who have left a positive mark on St. Anthony parish and schools. Members of the Hall of Fame include: alumni who have devoted themselves to the parish, faculty and staff who have played a vital role in church and school functions, friends of St. Anthony who serve behind the scenes in mass, athletes who have displayed excellence on the court and field, and boosters who have made St. Anthony athletics possible through their service.

This year’s honorees were recognized in the following categories: Alumni of St. Anthony School Fr. Ben Meyer; Friend of St. Anthony Dan Sr. and Gerry Hecht Family, and Athletic Inductee Dr. Danielle Grunloh-Gumpenberger.

(ST. ANTHONY ATHLETIC INDUCTEE DR. DANIELLE GRUNLOH-GUMPENBERGER)

The Booster Club Member of the Year recognition began in 1987 in an effort to recognize the special contributions of time, talent and resources to the athletic programs of St. Anthony schools. The Booster Club is the primary financial support system of all grade school and high school athletic programs.

(BOOSTER CLUB MEMBERS OF THE YEAR SHELLY AND MIKE MARTELLI)

St. Anthony of Padua Parish is a Catholic Church founded in 1858, with a congregation of more than 1300 families. One of the founding missions of St. Anthony parish included Catholic Education. Today, St. Anthony is the only preschool through grade 12 Catholic school system in downstate Illinois, and educates an average of more than 550 students annually. More information can be found at www.stanthony.com.