Photo Caption: Glenn Brown, left, who celebrated his 105th birthday on May 19, still regularly attends St. John’s Church in Viola. Alice Hoffer, right, turns 100 on July 23.

By: By Jennifer Willems

Glenn Brown of Viola belongs to an elite club. Born on May 19, 1908, he just celebrated his 105th birthday.

Joining him as a centenarian on July 23 will be Alice M. Hoffer of Morton, a founding member of Blessed Sacrament Parish.

While that kind of longevity is rarely seen, even with advances in medical technology, Mr. Brown says getting to 100 is easy. “After that it’s all downhill,” he told Father John Thieryoung, his pastor.

Members of St. John’s Church in Viola helped Mr. Brown celebrate by singing “Happy Birthday” to him and honoring him after Mass on his special day. That rousing tribute to their longtime friend seemed only appropriate since “he comes in a room and lights it up,” according to Father Thieryoung.

A quieter observance is planned for Mrs. Hoffer, who will be honored with a card shower. Her daughter, Marjorie Schwebel of Peoria, is coordinating the celebration for the woman she calls a saint.

“Mother gave unconditional love and has been a shining example of Christ to all who crossed paths with her,” Schwebel said. “She was the rock in our family and created a stable, secure environment.

“Whatever life presented she accepted as God’s will with a sense of balance, grace and peace,” according to Mrs. Hoffer’s loving daughter.

LIFELONG SOX FAN
Mr. Brown is at Mass every weekend and at least once during the week, Father Thieryoung told The Catholic Post, adding that he can be seen helping the 80- and 90-year-olds up the steps into church.

He continues to rake and mow his own grass on the family farm, and you’ll find him behind the wheel of his own car.

Elaine Brown, his cousin by marriage, said Mr. Brown’s dream was to be a major league baseball player, but his father wouldn’t hear of it. Instead he attended St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, graduating in 1929. He has the distinction of being the school’s oldest alumnus.

Mr. Brown would go on to work with Goodyear in Des Moines, Iowa, and for himself in Chicago. When his father died in 1940, he returned to the family farm and bought the Viola Sale Barn, which he operated for 20 years.

That business allowed him to buy and raise horses, something he could do even during his summers off in Florida.

Baseball continues to be a passion, and he has been a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox. He was 9 years old when his team won the pennant in 1917 and rejoiced when they did it again 88 years later.

The White Sox repaid his loyalty by honoring him on his 100th birthday in 2008. He got another shout out on opening day last year.

Mr. Brown and his wife, Erna, had two sons and one daughter. His son, Kenneth, survives and lives in Viola. The family also includes eight grandchildren, two of whom are deceased, and seven great-grandchildren.

“He is a remarkable man and well loved,” Father Thieryoung said.

A LISTENING EAR
Born on July 23, 1913, on Centennial Family Farm in Groveland Township, Mrs. Hoffer is the youngest of Eugene and Anna (Geier) Willy’s three daughters.

She married Albert E. Hoffer in St. Monica’s Church in East Peoria on June 5, 1937. He died on Oct. 10, 1993.

In addition to Schwebel they had five daughters: Betty Lou Taylor Mallory, who is deceased; Jeanne Buhs of Morton; Janet (Ralph) Pople of Peoria; Carolyn Tucker of East Peoria; and Linda (Carl) Ross of Washington. Her family also includes 16 grandchildren (one deceased), 24 great-grandchildren (one deceased), and several great-great-grandchildren, stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.

Mrs. Hoffer planted a large garden every spring, which provided fresh vegetables for her family throughout the growing season and enough to can and freeze for the winter months. She also loved to cook and bake and is known for her chocolate crinkle cookies and sugar cookies.

She was also known for the way she listened to others and always seemed to have a meal, a pot of homemade soup, fresh yeast rolls or a pie for friends going through a tough time, Schwebel said.

Mrs. Hoffer belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society at Blessed Sacrament, bowled on the Ladies Parish League and provided dishes for funeral lunches.

“Her deep faith and emotional intelligence have been her anchor and gift to many as she lives her life with a generous, caring heart filled with gratitude, always willing to serve others,” Schwebel said.

Those who would like to add to her special day are invited to send birthday cards and greetings to Alice M. Hoffer, 103 Sycamore Ave., Morton, IL 61550.