9-26-2022 11:32pm

Rockton Lions Club honors memory of lifelong member, offering vocational scholarships in his name

Gayle Lovejoy, (Jack's wife), Jan Kibler, Dave Nichols, and Jace Hale teamed up to celebrate the life and legacy of Jack Lovejoy while raising funds toward future vocational scholarships.

Memories of Jack Lovejoy flowed on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Macktown Golf Course where family, friends and community played friendly, competitive games of golf during a golf play day. A total of 65 golfers had registered to play, with one team who was unable to be at the event, leaving the perfect setting for foursomes, plus one fivesome, all ready to have a full day of pure fun.

Jack Lovejoy was well known, and respected in the Stateline. Lovejoy was an active lifetime member of the Rockton Lions Club where he served as the President and in other leadership roles. He worked on numerous committees including the Christmas Walk pancake breakfast where Jack would be seen smiling as he worked. Every year Lovejoy donated to the Wimpy's Fund Auction only to turn around and bid on those items again. Further support was shown by Lovejoy at the OSD festival where he was one of the event sponsors who lent a hand anywhere it was needed.

His hard work and continued dedication earned him the Melvin Jones Award- the highest honor that any Lion can receive. As a Lion, Lovejoy generously gave back in many ways; he often bought dinner for everyone after a meeting.

Lovejoy was a Hononegah High School graduate from the Class of 1970. He was a strong supporter of Hononegah's HOPE Foundation serving on the original Board of Directors with the Foundation's founder Ralph Marshal whom Lovejoy went to school with.

Lovejoy was the owner of Jacks Tire Sales and Service in South Beloit and a strong supporter of all local businesses.

The Rockton Lions Golf Play Day started in 2017. In the second year Jack passed away on May 7 and the golf play was renamed in his memory in 2018. This year marked the fourth of the event, with a break being taken in 2020 due to Covid-19.

Music played in the background at the pavilion as everyone gathered to enjoy fellowship and a nice dinner catered by FIBS after finishing rounds of golf. Beverages were also available.

Chances were taken on a fifty-fifty raffle where the winner was chosen from a ball drop off of a Rockton Fire Protection District ladder truck. The drop quickly threw balls to the ground from a large bucket as winner anticipation grew.

Two winners were drawn with the first 50-50 recipient donating back his winnings. Bobby Spencer excitingly accepted his winnings in the amount of $45.

A nice row of silent auction items were available to bid on helping to add to money raised toward the day's goals.

The event was organized by fellow Lion Jillian Porter and a committee of volunteers.

Porter announced winners in different categories. The first to be recognized was the foursome- The Scott Danielson group. Stephanie Jacobson made the 'Women's Longest Drive.' Scott Danielson earned honors for the 'Men's Longest Drive. ' Angela Lovejoy had the 'Women's Longest Putt.'

The 2022 Jack Lovejoy Memorial Golf Play Day netted around $11,000. All proceeds of the event go toward the Jack Lovejoy Scholarship fund. This scholarship is a vocational scholarship awarded annually to graduating seniors or graduates of Hononegah High School; Jack's Alma mater. Applicants must be pursuing a career in a trade or nursing which typically does not require a bachelor’s degree.

Jack's legacy of caring about the community and his legacy live on through these scholarships that carry on his name.

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