Bargman, Sulser and Liefer grab top honors
BY JIM BEERS Contributing Writer
CHESTER – The Chester Chamber of Commerce held its annual “Citizen of the Year” and “Business Person of the Year” event Friday June 16th at the Chester St. Nicholas Landmark. The event marked the 50th year for the presentation of the awards, having started in 1973. There were no awards in 2020, but the event picked up again in 21, 22 and 23.
During that time there have been a total of 51 “Citizen of the Year Awards presented having given Co-Awards in 2017. In 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022, the Chamber presented “Business Persons of the Year Awards” with Co-Awards presented in 2023 for a total of six such awards presented over the 50-year span.
The 2023 event had 60 reservations and began at 5:30 p.m. with “heavy” hor d’oeuvres served with an accompanying cash bar. During the first hour, guests mingled and visited as Vicky Beers provided cocktail music on her electric piano.
The persons pictured above were honored with Chamber Awards Friday June 16 at the Annual Event. (Left to right): Charlie Bargman, Sr. Chester Citizen of the Year; Savanna Guebert, Chamber Scholarship winner; Mary Sulser, Business Person of the Year; and Mike Liefer, Business Person of the Year. Jim Beers Photo
At approximately 6:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce President, Bruce Luthy, Jr. welcomed everyone to the event and began the formal portion of the evening. Luthy described the format for the rest of the night and introduced Mayor Tom Page who addressed the group.
City of Chester Mayor and Chamber of Commerce Board Member Tom Page addresses the gathering at the 2023 Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year event Friday Jume 23. Jim Beers Photo
After Mayor Tom Page’s comments, Luthy and Chamber Executive, David Randall drew names from among all of the people in attendance for various attendance prizes ranging from gift cards to food packages. Luthy then introduced the 2023 Chester Chamber of Commerce College Scholarship recipient.
The 2023 Scholarship recipient was Savanna Guebert, a 2023 graduate of Chester High School. Chamber member Linda Sympson presented the “official” award to Guebert Wednesday May 10 at the Annual Chester High School Honors Night.
Chester Chamber President, Bruce Luthy presents Savanna Guebert with honor of being the 2023 Scholarship recipient from the Chester Chamber of Commerce. Guebert will attend Ole Miss next fall and major in the medical field to earn her Bachelor’s of Nursing Degree. Jim Beers Photo
Luthy re-introduced Guebert to the crowd at the Chamber event and praised her efforts at CHS. She will attend Ole Miss in the fall of 2023 and intends to major in the medical field. Her immediate goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) and work in the Neonatal/Delivery Department. She may later further her education in the medical field in other areas.
At Chester High School Savanna was active in Cheerleading, the Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Student Council. She graduated Sunday May 21 from CHS and ranked 23rd out of 68 students.
Next on the agenda was the presentation of the Business Persons of the Year. Chamber member Tom Welge introduced the two Business Persons of the Year. Mike Liefer of Buena Vista Bank was the first to be introduced.
Chester Chamber of Commerce Board Member Tom Welge presents Mike Liefer with his plaque for being one of two Chamber Business Persons of the Year. Liefer recently retired from a long career at Buena Vista Bank in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
Liefer began at BV Bank in June of 1979 as summer help while he was at Southeast Missouri State University pursuing a degree in Accounting and Finance. He continued at BV during summers and on holiday breaks from SEMO until 1983 when he graduated and was employed full-time at BV Bank.
He workded at Buena Vista Bank in Chester until he retired in December of 2022 as a Vice President and Security Officer. Liefer is well known for playing the role of Popeye the Sailor Man on Buena Vista Bank floats throughout a 35-year period during the annual Popeye Parade.
Liefer is a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chester is still active in various fundraisers at both the church and at the KC’s. He is a 40-year member of the KC’s and is a 3rd Degree Grand Knight.
In the 1980’s Liefer served as Chairman of the Randolph County Boy Scout Olympics. He served as a Human Service Center (Conwell) Board Member from 1989 until 2022. He has coached all types of ball teams both in the community and at St. Mary’s, Chester Grade School and at Chester High School.
In retirement Liefer plans to continue many of his volunteer activities at the Knights of Columbus, Chester Grade School and at Chester High School.
The second Business Person of the Year was Mary Sulser. Tom Welge introduced Sulser and talked about her career. She had a very distinguished career in banking over her time at Buena Vista Bank in Chester.
Tom Welge, Chamber of Commerce Board Member, presents Mary Sulser, recent retiree from Buena Vista Bank with one of the two Business Person of the Year Awards. Jim Bers Photo
Sulser began her banking career in 1983 as a banker in Missouri. She joined the Buena Vista Banking Team on April 1, 1994. She began as an AVP/Lender. Throughout her career as a banker Mary focused on providing excellent customer service. She was very focused on employee education and promotion, and community banking advocacy.
Mrs. Sulser has been involved in local, county, state, and national levels for the community banking industry. During that time she served on many committees and was the Chairman of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois.
On April 1, 2014 Mary was promoted to President/CEO of the Buena Vista Bank. Her term as President/CEO created many great challenges as the BV Bank Team forged its way through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Her eight years as BV Bank President/CEO was deemed most successful as she led with the utmost dignity and professionalism.
Mrs. Sulser retired from BV Bank on April 1, 2022. Even though she no longer has an active role at the bank, she does still serve as a Director on the BV Bancorp and Buena Vista Bank Boards.
In addition to her passion and interest in banking, Mary has also served as a member of the Illinois Extension Council and in the American Legion Auxiliary where she was a past Treasurer and the Girl’s State Chair-person for 22 years (2000-2022).
Sulser also was a Chester Chamber of Commerce Director and she was a Past President and Paul Harris Fellow of the Chester Rotary. Finally, Mary remains a member of the Memorial Hospital in Chester Board of Directors.
Immediately following the conclusion of the Business Persons of the Year awards, Gwendy Garner presented the 2023 Chester Citizen of the Year Award. That prestigious honor was bestowed upon life-time Chester resident, Charles George Bargman, Sr.
Chester Chamber of Commerce President, Bruce Luthy, Jr. poses with Charlie Bargman of Chester with his plaque as 2023 Citizen of the Year. Jim Beers Photo
Luthy said, “Sometimes when presenting the Citizen of the Year it is not too difficult to hide the identity of that person for several paragraphs, but this year our recipient is very visible in our community. We will recognize him a bit earlier this year!” Shortly thereafter Charlie Bargman, Sr. was introduced as 2023 Chester Citizen of the Year.
Charlie Bargman, 2023 Chester Citizen of the Year, poses for a photo with his immediate and extended family who were there to support him at the 2023 Chamber of Commerce awards event Friday June 23. (Left to right): Shawnell Madison, Very Close Friend; Mariah Bargman, Daughter-in-law; Charlie Bargman, Jr. Son; Charlie Bargman, Sr., Citizen of the Year; Norma Baughman, Sister; Carolyn Gray, Very Close Friend; and Karen Hecht, Niece. Jim Beers Photo
Bargman is a native of Chester and graduated from both St. John Grade School and Chester High School. He is a lifetime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester where he has been very active and served on numerous committees and assists with the Sunday morning 10 a.m. radio broadcasts.
Throughout the years Charlie has been active with local Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs especially Boy Scout Troop 387. He has served on the Cohen Scout Fund Committee.
Bargman was on the Chester Park Board for many years and helped to organize the first Children’s Halloween Party and Annual Easter Egg Hunt. He donated countless hours on Park Board activities and cooked a multitude of hot dogs at the new Cohen Field Recreation Complex.
He was also on the Popeye Picnic Committee for several years and was the organizer for the Popeye Parade (including necessary clean-up behind the horses at the end of the parade).
Bargman took an active role in assisting with the docking of the U.S. LST 325 Landing Ship the two times it came to the Chester Riverfront. He assisted with the actual docking and stayed at the riverfront at night to assure that the crew had all that was needed.
The Chester Beautification Committee further had the pleasure of having Charlie’s services in its early days. He also served as a tour guide for tour boat visits to Chester in recent years.
Luthy said, “As an employee of the City of Chester Charlie spends all of his professional time working for the betterment of the community. It is his ‘off-the-clock’ time that we look at as a Chamber when looking for a Citizen of the Year.”
Charlie’s Chester Public Library volunteer efforts are especially of merit. He has assisted with numerous fundraising efforts which have been very helpful. He often volunteer with the Shakespeare in the Park events at Cole Park. He has also been involved with several library programs, some of which he helped to co-present. (The Chester Field Army Air Corp Pilot Training Facility).
Tammy Grah, Library Executive, said, “Charlie is a great friend to the Chester Public Library. He is always willing to assist with any library project which involves research of local history.”
Finally, Luthy said, “Mr. Bargman is always seen at most all local sporting events. If there is a program at Cole Park, you’ll find Charlie there. He recently was at Kaskaskia Island for the 300th Birthday of the Illinois National Guard. On July 4th or at any other patriotic program, Charlie is there. It is important for this gentleman to support and promote Chester in any way he can!”
Charlie’s immediate and extended family was on hand to help celebrate his honor. The award, complete with a beautiful plaque, was bestowed upon Mr. Bargman as the “2023 Chester Citizen of the Year”.
Dallas Redeker of Chester was one of several attendance prize winners at the 2023 Chester Chamber of Commerce Awards Night Friday June 23. Jim Beers Photo
To close the evening the Chamber announced the winners of several raffles including the Annual 50/50 drawing which was won by Gwendy Garner in the amount of $75.00; the Gun Raffle of a pistol which was won by Virgil Briggs, who chose $250.00 cash in lieu of the gun; and 20 bottles of “fine” alcoholic beverages donated by Chamber members and raffled to 20 participants.
Chamber Officers include Bruce Luthy, Jr., President/Treasurer; Chris Koeneman, Vice President; and David Randall, Executive Director.
The Chamber has 23 Board of Directors members including Chris Blechle, Kraiten Franklin, Brian Ury, Mariah Bargman, Robert Welker, Ron Woodworth, Casey Parker, Mary Jo Homan, Brett Bollman, Greg Rowold, Tom Welge, Christopher Koeneman, Robert Gross, Robert Schremp, Gwendy Garner, Bruce Luthy, Dan Colvis, Dr. Larry Soellner, Don Stallman, Nick Burch, Mayor Tom Page, Linda Sympson, and Matt McCoy.