Lincoln Balloon Festival 2012

Here's a few photos of some of the many balloons at the Lincoln Balloon Festival.   The "ladybug" was sitting on a yellow flower.  This pilot came the farthest to participate--he was from New York.  

The blue balloon was tethered and giving rides to folks who wanted to go up for a few minutes.  

You can see several people helping with the yellow, orange, and red striped one.   They are always looking for volunteers and it's a fun thing to do. 

The group balloon photo was taken after dark when the "balloon glow" was held.   A commentator encourages everyone to do a countdown and all the pilots turn on the propane jets simultaneously.  

It's good family fun.   Weather was perfect.  Hot and dry and just a little breeze.    The ones who had been there before brought folding chairs.   We lucked out and found an empty bale of hay to sit on. 

Diane Gurgens Urbanckas '58

Ron L. Dunkel, Sr.

SHERMAN - Ron L. Dunkel, Sr., 72, of Sherman died at 1:52 pm, Thursday, August 16, 2012 at Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born July 21, 1940 in Springfield, Illinois to Richard and Maxine Shaffer Dunkel. He married Sandy Eells on December 31, 1993 and she survives him. His parents preceded him in death.

Also surviving are one son, Ron Dunkel, Jr. of Sherman; three step-sons, Andrew Mercer of Sherman, Alexander (fiancé Jessica Walker) of Athens and Greg Osing of Springfield; three grandchildren, Logan Mercer, Kierrah Walker and Whitney Dunkel; brother, Donald Dunkel of New Mexico; brother-in-law, Mike Eells of Naples, FL; sister-in-law, Amy Vena of Homewood, IL and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ron was a U. S. Air Force Veteran serving from 1957-1962. He was a member of the 170th Fighter Squadron of the Illinois Air National Guard and was deployed in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis. He was a member of Koke Mill Christian Church. He loved cooking and won several Chili Cook-offs and was known for his BBQ Ribs. He enjoyed spending time in his pool, Sunday family dinners and researching Springfield History.

Ron owned an Automobile Dealership, "Ron Dunkel Motors," and had previously owned Mobile World in Springfield. He was former president of the Illinois Manufactured Housing Association and the Illinois Independent Auto Dealers Association. He was a lobbyist with the Illinois Independent Auto Dealers Association and was a member of the American Legion Post 32.

Visitation: 4-6 pm, Sunday, August 19, 2012 at Staab Funeral Home.

Lie-in-State: 9:30-10 am, Monday, August 20, 2012 at Koke Mill Christian Church.

Funeral Service: 10 am, Monday, August 20, 2012 at Koke Mill Christian Church with pastor Stan Summers officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Koke Mill Christian Church Building Fund.

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Published in The State Journal-Register on August 18, 2012