Community News
Donald Bray: Heritage Health Spotlight
Donald pictured with his birthday flowers and birthday presents he received just recently for his birthday.
Donald E. Bray is our Resident Spotlight for Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Center. Donald has been a resident at Heritage Health, previously Heritage Manor, since March of 2011. “It is very nice here, and the staff is very helpful and considerate,” Donald said. Donald boasted of his improvements since joining the Heritage Health family and wishes to return to “home” soon.
Donald, who is 82 years young, was born in the countryside of Raymond, Illinois. In the country, he spent mostly all of his time on the farm. “I had very good parents,” he bragged, “I was very blessed in that respect.”
After his father died, Donald lived with his mother before he put her into a nursing home. Donald did not marry or have children at a young age because he promised his mother he would never depart her for another woman while she was alive. Soon after Donald placed her into a nursing home, he got married.
Donald married Ester Peachmire, who he is still legally married to now, but he does not see her often. After moving out, he bought a house in Litchfield which was “run down.” Donald went on to say he hopes his house is still there to this date and he would like to go back and visit it to see what it is like or if it has changed any.
“It is very nice here,” Donald, who is a single child, said of Heritage Health, “They treat me very good.”
As a child, Donald spent much of his time on the farm and occasionally other children came around to play with him. For the most part, Donald had to learn how to entertain himself until he started school. He started school in a country school and recalled the great distances he walked to even get to school.
Sometimes Donald had to walk over 2 miles just to get to school. “I learned to love walking,” Donald said, “But the roads were not oiled like they are now and in the spring it was very muddy, but that did not stop me.” After attending country school, Donald started high school in Carlinville and later went on to finish his high school diploma at Litchfield.
High school was a fun time according to Donald, there were a lot of girls there. After high school, Donald got a letter from the president stating he was being drafted. “I did not know what to think,” Donald said, “But I only served for two years and then I was done.”
The Army, where Donald was a construction engineer, taught him a love for camping and traveling as he spent most of his stay in Germany. In Germany, he loved meeting new people and congregating among other “English-speaking” Germans. Heritage Health reminds Donald of the army in a sense where he persistently wonders when he will be going home.
“I did whatever I was told to do in the Army,” Donald said, “They liked me, because I always listened.” He did not love the Army, but it was a good experience and it could have been worse according to Donald. “It is much like here,” Donald said of Heritage Health, “I want to go home, but I am happy I am here and very fortunate we have something like this for seniors like me.”
Donald loves camping and recalled of many camping trips he took after he was out of the army and before becoming part of the Heritage Health family. “Before I came in here, I had a big pickup truck,” Donald stated, “I put a camper on the back and I used to travel all over.”
Outside of camping, the 82 year old youngster enjoys wood-working. Donald learned wood-working in high school after taking the trade class. “To carve wood, I first needed walnut trees,” Donald explained, “So, my father and I cut the trees down and took the wood to a saw mill to be cut into boards.”
As a hobby, Donald made different types of furniture. At his home, he has many things he made. “At my home, I have a huge desk I made on my own,” Donald said as he got excited, “I also made the pulpit for Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Raymond.” The church started without much money, so Donald helped out where he could.
The church bought some old church pews and they called on Donald to fix them up. “Finally, I took them home and worked on them,” Donald explained, “I sanded them down and put a new finish on them and gave them back.” I am blessed to have learned that trade in high school, Donald said.
At Heritage Health, Donald loves the long, large hall ways. He enjoys walking down them with his girlfriend, but also likes walking with his walker. “I can sometimes walk without my walker,” Donald bragged, “But I probably look like I drank too much alcohol because I am not as steady as I used to be.”
Along with the hallways, he enjoys his television. “They put this in just for me and I am very thankful,” Donald shared. He also enjoys the cordless headphones that go with the TV so his neighbor does not get annoyed.
Overall, Donald feels very blessed at Heritage Health and would recommend the place to anyone who needs assistance or would like some more friends.
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FELONIES
Bradley W. Crane, 47 of Brighton, is charged with aiding/abetting/possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with a December 28, 2024 incident.
Donavon M. Holmes, 24 of Benld, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 11 incident.
Natosha L. Michaelis, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of forgery/making/altering a document in connection with a February 10 incident.
Bradley S. Watters, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a March 12 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with unlawful possession of a knife in connection with a March 9 incident.
Tonya L. Pfeiler, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with theft control/intent (<$500) in connection with a March 1 incident.
Timothy A. Dugger, 23 of Palmyra, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 29 incident.
Dalton W. Branham, 27 of Springfield, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 23 and January 29 incident.
Crystal A. Holland, 50 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a January 18 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 59 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a February 13 incident.
Mark B. Bersch, 68 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with February 4 incident.
Robert D. Lindsey, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a March 3 incident.
Thomas W. Gray, 35 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a February 26 incident.
Ronnie E. Reyes, 40 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a March 13 incident.
TRAFFIC
Bethany E. Robinson, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year, passing a school bus while loading/unloading, and improper traffic lane usage in connection with a February 27 incident.
Timothy R. Galston, 46 of Harvey, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 11-14 mph above the limit in connection with a March 2 incident.
Hector R. Herrera Pena, 39 of Guadalupe, NL, is charged with CDL not obtained in connection with a March 4 incident.
Stephen L. Barrick, 50 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 2 incident.
Kyle L. Stiltz, 32 of Virden, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with a February 28 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Angela M. Berndt versus Travis E. Berndt
- Melissa K. Porter versus Kevin W. Porter
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Bunker Hill – Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill is excited to announce a rummage sale taking place on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22. The sale will be held at the church located at 609 East Warren Street in Bunker Hill. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Illinois Valley Meals on Wheels in Macoupin County, a vital program that prepares and delivers over 1,500 meals daily to those in need across three counties.
Donations for the rummage sale are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the church’s north entrance starting Monday, March 17. Items of all kinds are appreciated, and your contributions will directly support the dedicated efforts of volunteers who ensure that nutritious meals reach our community members.
The sale will run from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday and then 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it convenient for everyone to stop by and find great deals while supporting a crucial service in our area.
For more information about the rummage sale or how to donate, please contact Jane Baker at 618-973-2666.
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FELONIES
Bryer D. Greff, 30 of Virden, is charged with retail theft (<$300) with a previous conviction in connection to a March 1 incident.
Michael J. Weaver, 34 of Carlinville, is charged with methamphetamine delivery (400<900 grams), possession of methamphetamine (400<900 grams), and felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 3 incident.
Patrick D. Greer, 39 of Mount Olive, is charged with burglary and theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 23 and March 3 incident .
Brian H. Duff, 50 of Alton, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Allison S. Cisco, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 1 incident.
Andrew C. London, 19 of Wilsonville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with a March 5 incident.
Shelby L. Veach, 23 of Staunton, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee and criminal damage to property in connection with a December 16 and December 21 incident.
Robert J. Zumwalt, 43 of Livingston, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a December 21 incident.
TRAFFIC
Andrew J. McDaniel, 56 of Littleton, CO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 23 incident.
Connor E. O’Brien, 25 of Riverside, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 24 incident.
Anthony M. Reed, 29 of Fayette, MS, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a February 22 incident.
Patrick M. Nejmanowski, 58 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a February 25 incident.
Michael A. Coates, 49 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a February 16 incident.
Carl R. Albracht, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 25 incident.
Jessica M. Jenkins, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 24 incident.
Jason L. Peter, 48 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 22 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 21 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on suspended license in connection with a February 27 incident.
Julia A. Schall, 68 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a February 27 incdient.
Amy N. Gomer, 39 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 4 incident.
Dalton C. Bunyard, 32 of Wood River, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 28 incident.
Edward Tumpach III, 33 of Hillsboro, is charged with reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, and disregarding a traffic control device in connection with a March 5 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Neil Ringer versus Whitney Ringer
- Christina Essington versus John Essington
- Scott Huddleston versus Jessica Huddleston
Comments
Zion Lutheran School to host open house on March 18 for preschool and kindergarten programs
Illinois Farm Bureau to host ‘Rules for the Road’ trucking seminar in Carlinville on March 20
