Fifty years ago Don Wheat was using a cross cut saw like this one to clear right of way for new power lines.

Don Wheat won't quit

The real heroes are out on the line every day and this co-op employee has been there for 50 years

When most of us think of our electric cooperative we think of employees like Don Wheat. Helping to keep the lights on for the rest of us, they are a special breed. Their dedication to the job and their work ethic is hard to find these days. But Don Wheat may have set a record worthy of the Guinness Book—in the 50 years he's worked for Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative, he says he never got up in the morning dreading the thought of going to work.

That is saying a lot when you realize Don has always worked on the brush clearing crew, one of the most physically demanding jobs at any cooperative.

World War II ended just a year before Don started, and the co-op was off the ground and running well. However, before the war, it had been difficult to sign members up, and even more difficult to get landowners to provide easements for line construction. Some were afraid they'd be unable to pay their monthly electric bill, which often amounted to $3 to $5.

By the time the war was over, even the most hardened skeptic knew electric co-ops could succeed, and people had a lot of money they'd earned during the war. Since jobs had been abundant and things to buy had been scarce because of rationing, there was a pent-up demand for appliances and lights and the electricity to power them.

There was a waiting list for new services and work was proceeding as fast as possible. To speed the process, the co-op brought in outside contractors, and Don worked for a brush-clearing firm.

After that job, Don, a Wayne County native, hitchhiked to Rochelle, to work in a cannery. The seasonal nature of the work, and the distance from home convinced Don to look for a job in or near Fairfield.

"Owen Chaney was manager at that time," Don relates, "and I called him at home one evening and told him I was looking for a job. He told me to come in the next day and reminded me to bring my gloves and dinner bucket. I actually hired on at the co-op on Sept. 30, 1947, as a member of the clearing crew.

Don has had to break in several new managers over the years. "I've worked for six managers including Owen Chaney. I worked for Sam Miller, Bill Endicott, Chris Bennett, Dale Warren and Jack Young, and they've all been great to work for," he said.

When Don started in 1947, crosscut saws and axes were the tools of the trade. Today, hydraulic circular saws, chain saws, and best of all, bucket trucks all make the job safer and more productive. "We got our first chain saw in 1948. It was a 4-foot saw, and it took two men to operate it. It had a pair of handlebars on one end and a single handlebar on the other," said Don.

Not content with just working an eight-hour day, Don also has been involved in farming and a timber cutting business. Don, who turned 69 in January, chuckles when he tells about the time former Manager Dale Warren encouraged him to "slow down a little." That was about four years ago.

"Wayne-White's always been a great place to work, and it still is. I've worked with some of the greatest people in the world—our members. Some of the people I work with now are the grandchildren of the people I worked with years ago. They're part of the reason I never dreaded going to work."

Don and his wife, Bettie, have three sons and a daughter, are grandparents of 11 children, and have 5 great-grandchildren. It's because of employees like Don that we can honestly say cooperatives are rooted in their communities.

- Story and photo by Jack Halstead

26 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING MAY 1997

Illinois
FUNNYBONE

• Little Johnny had been telling lies. One day his grandmother took him on her lap and asked him if he knew what happened to little boys who told lies. When he said no, she said a big man from Mars comes and takes them home with him, where he makes them dig in a deep hole for 20 years.

"Now, you won't tell any more lies, will you?"

"No, grandma, you tell them better than I do," he replied.

Iona Kegley, West Salem

• A man approached a farmer and told him he would like to inspect his farm and that he was with the farm bureau.

The farmer said he would rather not have him go back in the field.

The man insisted and showed the farmer his card of authorization.

"Ok," said the farmer, "if you insist."

So the inspector disappeared over a hill. In a short time, he came running over the hill yelling for help with a big bull after him.

The farmer said, "Show him your card, mister."

Earl H. Brown, Peoria

• What did one snowman say to the other? We've come a long way from a chance of a few snow flurries!

Mary Grawe, Quincy

• An elderly gentleman was walking through the park one afternoon when he heard a voice, "Hey you! Hey!"

He stopped, looked around but didn't see anyone. As he started to step forward, he heard, "Hey you! Hey, down here."

He looked down and near his feet was a frog. The frog said, "Pick me up and kiss me and I'll turn into a beautiful woman and fulfill your every desire."

The man picked up the frog, put it in his pocket and began walking.

The frog said, "Aren't you going to kiss me?"

The man replied, "No, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog!"

Nicholas Smirnes, St. Francisville

Is there a funny story in YOUR family (that's proper for a family magazine)? Illinois Country Living pays $5.00 for each joke chosen for Illinois Funnybone. Send your humorous story to Illinois Funnybone, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708-3787.

MAY 1997 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 27