If you live in Chillicothe, perhaps 50% of you know Linda Medearis. She has been in or near this town since birth. She was brought up in the late 50s. She is still a staple of this community and the high school.

I happen to be her brother, but I left town in 1954 and just returned in 2009. I have been to two of the Distinguished Alumni presentatons. Perhaps it is time to think local. The Pruett family in the 50s had very little money. It was tough. Linda excelled in studies, but really excelled in sports. I think her Gym teacher was Barb Brussau. Linda graduated and continured to live in Chillicothe. She married and moved. She has lived in Sparland for many years.

This is a lady who started with nothing. She is now a proplerty owner in Chillicothe and Sparland. She was on the Sparland City Council for several years. She is now the Mayor of Sparland. No, she does not have a college degree. She has a degree in life.

I have been talking with the Lenz family and others in Chillicothe. They think Linda is the greatest. I do know she picks two people who will have a poor Christmas. She purchased a present fo rthe from her own pocket and has it delivered. She organized the Halloween parties and Christmas parties in Sparland for children. She is valued member of her church in Sparland. She supports the IVC sports program by donations and she has attended many of the sports events.

I think if you pass her name around, you will have more information than I might provide. She does not talk about what she has done and accomplished.

Just the fact that she has gone from a child from a family with little money, with no college degree, to the position of the Honorable Mayor of Sparland, IL.

Not bad in my book. Some great accomplishments.

Edward E. Pruett
US Army Retired
Master Sergeant