Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame Members

Here we proudly share the growing list of those who through the years have made Route 66 in Illinois the place we know, cherish and vow to preserve.

Learn more about our Hall of Fame nomination process.

Inducted June 9, 1990

• Ernie Edwards, Pig Hip Restaurant, Broadwell, IL
• John Geske and J.P. Walters, Dixie Truckers Home, McLean, IL
• Francis Marten, Our Lady of the Highways Shrine, Raymond, IL
• Francis Mowery, Illinois State Police, Pontiac, IL
• Russel Soulsby Shell Service Station, Mt. Olive, IL

Inducted June 8, 1991

• Mertha Paulsen Jensen, Paulsen (Carefree) Motel, Dwight, IL
• M.F. “Cotton” McNabney, Cotton’s Village Inn, Bloomington, IL
• Ed Waldmire Family, The Cozy Dog Drive-In, Springfield, IL

Inducted June 13, 1992

• Ariston Cafe and the Adam Family, Litchfield, IL
• Steve and Glaida Funk, Funk’s Grove, IL
• Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, Willowbrook, IL
• John Stonecipher, Stoney’s Service, Odell, IL

Inducted June 12, 1993

• Chester D. Henry, Illinois State Police, Pontiac, IL
• Ervin Kolarik, Del Rhea’s Chicken Basket Restaurant, Willowbrook, IL
• Effie Marx, Waitress, Dwight, IL
• Bill Shea, Shea’s Finest Truck Covers, Springfield, IL

Inducted June 11, 1994

• Hubert Henry, Truck Driver, St. Louis, MO
• Rodino Square and the Carmen Rodino Family, Pontiac, IL
• The Riviera, Roadhouse and Restaurant, near Gardner, IL

Inducted June 10, 1995

• Grace Brown, Larry and Debbie Lucas and Howard E. and MariAna McAnarney, Art’s Restaurant, Farmersville, IL
• The Benedict Family, Chuck and Delmar Benedict and Eleanor Benedict Roberts, McLean, IL
• H. Burt Parkinson, Editor, Gardner, IL
• G.J. Mecherle, State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, IL

Inducted June 8, 1996

• The Old Log Cabin Restaurant, Pontiac, IL; Marjorie O’Brien, Brad and Debbie Trainer
• Eddie’s Pure Truck Stop/Eddie’s Union 76 Truck Stop, Towanda, IL, Edward and Marjorie Baize
• Wilton C. Rinkel, Farmer, Edwardsville, IL
• Irvin Brothers, Inc., Bloomington, IL, Maurice Irvin

Inducted June 7, 1997

• Rev. Dean “Shug” Benton, Truck Driver, Bloomington, IL
• Albert Cassens Family and The Cassens Transport Co., Edwardsville, IL
• Ralph M. Hay and Frank Hay, Hay Brothers Garage, Divernon, IL
• J. Richard Jones, Dick Jones Garage, Odell, IL

Inducted June 13, 1998

• The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, Mitchell, IL
• Arline and Elmo Winterland and the Oasis Drive-In, Lexington, IL
• Sky View Drive-In, Litchfield, IL
• White Fence Farm and the Hastert Family, Romeoville, IL

Inducted June 12, 1999

• Casey’s Garden Shop, Bloomington, IL
• FitzHenry Oil Company, Joliet, IL
• Robert D. (Bob) Johnson and Brandtville Restaurant, Bloomington, IL
• Rialto Square Theater, Joliet, IL

Inducted June 10, 2000

• Agusta “Gussie” Keller, Pontiac, IL
• Joe Edwards, Gas Station Owner, Lincoln, IL
• The Launching Pad Drive-In, Wilmington, IL
• District 6, Illinois State Police Headquarters, Pontiac, IL

Inducted June 9, 2001

• Coliseum Ballroom, Benld, IL
• DeCamp Junction Tavern, near Staunton, IL
• Standard Oil Gasoline Station, Odell, IL
• Watt Brothers Pharmacies, Springfield, IL

Inducted June 8, 2002

• Gordon Gunderson, Gardner, IL
• Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant, Chicago, IL
• Polk-a-Dot Drive In Restaurant, Braidwood, IL
• Schlechte Family Service Station/Worden Y Club Restaurant, Worden, IL
• Shea Family, Springfield, IL
• John and Lenore Weiss, Wilmington, IL

Inducted June 7, 2003

• Fassero Family, Benld, IL
• Andy Granatelli, Montecito, CA
• Union Miners Cemetery, Mount Olive, IL
• Wishing Well Motel, LaGrange, IL

Inducted June 5, 2004

• Rita Erikson, Odell, IL
• Gray Family, Braceville, IL
• Luna Cafe, Mitchell, IL
• Streetcar/Diner, Gardner, IL

Inducted June 11, 2005

• Aggelopoulous Family, Wilmington, IL
• Ambler, Becker Families Texaco, Dwight, IL
• Atlanta Public Library, Atlanta, IL
• Chenoa Pharmacy, Chenoa, IL

Inducted June 10, 2006

• Willie Anderson Trucking, Lexington, IL
• Berghoff Restaurant, Chicago, IL
• Scotty’s Restaurant, Hamel, IL
• Leland Storm, Hamel, IL

Inducted June 9, 2007

• Brown’s Wrecker Service, Bloomington, IL
• Joy Henderson, Pontiac, IL
• Roger “Sodie” and Shirley Soderstrom, Bloomington, IL
• The Curve Inn, Springfield, IL

Inducted June 7, 2008

• Brook’s Catsup Bottle, Collinsville, IL
• Leroy and Pauline Curtiss, Pontiac, IL
• Frank T. Sheets, Illinois Chief Engineer, 1920-1932

Inducted June 13, 2009

• The Crossroads Diner, Mt. Olive, IL
• The Mill on Route 66, Lincoln, IL
• Sprague’s Super Service, Normal, IL
• Stateville Prison, Crest Hill, IL

Inducted June 12, 2010

• 817 Hillsboro, Edwardsville – The Deck Brothers, Girard, IL
• Lewis “Zoo” Barrick, Lincoln, IL – Snuffy’s Grill, McCook, IL

Inducted June 11, 2011

• Boyd’s Place, Odell, IL
• Leo Bornder, Lexington, IL

Inducted June 9, 2012

• Samuel L. Reichert, Sr., U.S. Route 66 Service Station Operator (1950-1970) Plainfield, IL, IL
• Quinn Service Station / Quinn Family / Elmo A., Eldon A., Elmo C. and Eula Quinn, Bloomington, IL
• Roger Gray, Gray’s Garage, Inc., Pontiac, IL
• Henry’s Ra66it Ranch, Staunton, IL

Inducted June 8, 2013

• The Palms Grill Cafe, Atlanta, IL
• George B. Cathcart, Cathcart’s Café, Edwardsville, IL
• Wilbur Fawns Sr. Family, Service Stations, Williamsville, IL and Sherman, IL

Inducted June 14, 2014

• Nelch & Son Concrete – Springfield, IL
• Postville Courthouse – Postville, IL
• Hi-Way Café and Tavern – Edwardsville, IL

Inducted June 13, 2015

• Steve’s Café, Chenoa, IL
• The Tropics Restaurant and Lounge, Lincoln, IL

Inducted June 11, 2016

• 8408 West Joliet Road, McCook, IL
• Clay Dooley – Bloomington, IL

Inducted June 10, 2017

• Jubelt’s Bakery & Restaurant, Litchfield, IL
• Patrick “Pat” McElroy, Operator, Pat’s Standard Service, Dwight, IL
• Cozy Inn – Mario’s Pizza – Julie & Jerry Causer, Pontiac, IL

2018

• No inductees

Inducted June 8, 2019

• Milano Bakery, Joliet – The DeBenedetti Family
• Fatlan Trucking & Excavating Company, Gardner

2020

• No inductees

Inducted June 12, 2021

• Dorothy Seratt McMullen

2022-2024

• No inductees

Inducted June 14, 2025

• Batterton’s Standard Service, Atlanta, IL
• The Nite Spot Café, Fairmont City, IL

---

Recipients of The President’s Award

2002

• The 15 founders of the Association

2005

• City of Pontiac

2008

• Betty Estes

2012

• Dawn Patterson

2016

• Marty Blitstein
• Jim Jones

2018

• Dorothy Seratt McMullen
• Tom Perkins

2019

• Mike Cummings

2024

• Cathie Stevanovich

---

The Ambassador Award

The Illinois Route 66 Association Ambassador Award is a program administered by Hall of Fame Committee of the Route 66 Association of Illinois. Its purpose is to honor and commemorate the exceptional person or persons who have excelled in the education, promotion and restoration of Route 66 in Illinois since the decommissioning in 1977.

To qualify for election to the Ambassador Award, nominees must have made significant contributions to Illinois Route 66 through:

1. Extensive work in exposing the general public to the story of Route 66 in Illinois using lectures, presentations, photo exhibits video or recorded programs, and
2. Authorship of a published book on Route 66 in Illinois and/or the entire Route.

Committee Members may elect a new Illinois Route 66 Association Ambassador Award recipient during the annual Hall of Fame Committee meetings. This award is not anticipated to be an annual award. It is reserved for the truly exceptional individual who has provided outstanding benefits to the Route 66 Association of Illinois for an extended period of years.

Recipients of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Ambassador’s Award:

Tom Teague – June 11, 2005

Durelle and Marilyn Pritchard – June 10, 2006

Lenore & John Weiss – June 13, 2009

Bob Waldmire – 2010