BY BOB LOGAN

On Tuesday Franklin Grove Mayor Robert Logan issued a proclamation making Wednesday, July 2, 2008 Maxine Hullah Day in Franklin Grove. Hullah died Sunday following an extended illness that had kept her from walking the streets of her home town, Franklin Grove, a community she loved and where she could be seen most days, weather permitting.

Mayor Logan’s proclamation stated, “The Village of Franklin Grove has lost a friend of immeasurable stature, a citizen who loved this community as much as life itself, for more than 80 years. We are at a loss to adequately express our grief in this hour of loss, and to express our appreciation for the impact Maxine Hullah has had in our community and on each of our lives. The community wishes to honor the memory of this dedicated community friend and servant.”

“On behalf of the good citizens of this grateful community, I proclaim, Wednesday, July 2, 2008, to be Maxine Hullah Day within the Village of Franklin Grove.”

Maxine Hullah will be remembered for love and support for her community and as a member of the greatest generation, for her love of God and country. There was a camaraderie among those who came of age during the war years of World War II that gave them an appreciation for life, for family and for the friends drawn together in crisis.

Maxine and husband, Ivan, were both born and raised in Franklin Grove, and are part of a declining number who call one place home for their whole lives. As part of their love for the community they have supported all that has been good patriotically, historically and religiously.

They have been actively involved in creating the Franklin Creek Preservation Area Committee, The Franklin Grove Area Historical Society, been involved in the programs of the United Methodist Church, made notable contributions to the Chaplin Creek Historic Village and in the promotion of the Lincoln Highway Association Headquarters.

Maxine and Ivan have together maintained their rural American heritage and gone a long way toward passing that on to succeeding generations. What more noble cause can one give their life to, when they have a rich heritage, than to live it and pass it on?

There is an old chorus with a line that says, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” Maxine Hullah lived her life to be such a spark.