Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown Care and Rehabilitation held its Hall of Fame Café on Thursday, October 9, Director of Volunteer Services, Shirley Allen welcomed everyone to the event.
"This is one of my favorite events of Signature Health Care, we can honor residents, stakeholders, and community leaders,” added Allen.
Bro. Derek Cain, Chaplain, gave the opening prayer and joined Tiffany Winchel, Administrator in Training, in providing special music for the evening.
Jim Green was the guest speaker. Green is the founder and owner of Building Bridges 4 Life.
Former State Representative Woody Allen presented each of the inductees into the Hall of Fame with a Kentucky Colonel certificate.  During the induction ceremony each inductee was recognized and Shirley Allen read a brief account of their life and achievements.  Inducted were Irene Phelps, Frederick Schaser, Billy Wood, Jamie Casey, and Hearl Glendol Deweese.
MCRC Administrator Logan Midkiff gave the closing remarks before refreshments were served.

Irene Deweese Phelps
This awesome epitome of entrepreneurship was born on December 26, 1921.  Irene Deweese Phelps was educated in the Leonard Oak community and adopted the traditional family values that prevailed there.
At age 16 she was wed to Archie Phelps.  They became the proud parents of four children and raised each one to be hard working and conscientious as they had been.
Irene was always capable and assisted her husband in operating a grocery store in their home community before moving to Morgantown.  In this area they ran a fruit stand- going to Nashville twice a week for produce before distributing this in Butler and Ohio Counties.
The next professional venture for this enterprising couple was a car business, Phelps’ Car Lot.  Meanwhile Irene had also been employed at Kane’s Manufacturing in Brownsville and Morgantown.
One of the greatest accomplishments for this Phelps couple was upcoming!  They began the grand food tradition known as the Farm Boy Restaurant.  This was in 1968and hard times were everywhere.  When the public tasted the great cuisine at the commercial venture, crowds flocked in for nourishment and were willing to pay again and again.
Despite the money-making objective of the Farm Boy, Irene and her husband never let anyone go away hungry because they couldn’t pay.  Christian principles of sharing were foremost in their minds.
The large family continued the tradition and the restaurant itself is still a viable business today-although under different ownership.  Archie and Irene were considered pioneers in Butler County.
Irene Deweese Phelps has 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.  This country-born matriarch has instilled in all of her family members the essence and the earnest desire to be of service in a creative and loving manner.

Hearl Glendol Deweese
Leonard Oak produced one of its finest sons in Hearl Glendol Deweese on April 2, 1937.  He attended Butler County High School and later earned his GED.
He and his wife Betty, married in 1956 and were proud to welcome thee children and ultimately five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  Caring for his family led Glendol in many directions- from hauling fruit, working in the coal mines to becoming an employee of Warren RECC.  His accomplishments there led him to move from ground man to lineman to foreman and eventually District Office Manager.  He retired from the organization after 42 years of service.
Glendol’s primary concern (outside of his family) was for those people he loved in Morgantown. He (along with his wife) would check the general area for any power outages.  He helped put up lights for Christmas parade for many years and was instrumental in procuring lighting at the local city park.
Being an active voice in city government appealed to Glendol as well so for over 20 years he was elected to the Morgantown City Council.  While there he aided in getting land on which to construct a needed city pool.
Being a volunteer was native to his character-Glendol was a member of the Fire Department and in helping construct his church’s fellowship hall. 
He assisted in organizing square dances in the county (especially at the Catfish Festival) plus being active in the Butler County Saddle Club for over 50 years.
In addition, he marked graves in the true altruistic spirit as a part of the Morgantown Planning and Zoning Committee.
Being of service has been the focal point for Hearl Glendol Deweese for all of his life.  He has spread the essence of his love for his Lord in so many meaningful ways; his steadfast devotion to his community has culminated in memorable progress for the entire region.

Jamie Casey
The concepts of being industrious, dedicated, and compassionate encompass the major attributes of Jamie Marie Casey-stakeholder with longevity and integrity.  Born on December 28, 1970, this delightful lady was introduced to life by Jerry and Joyce Winchel and spent a childhood learning the meaning of lave and family.
Caring for the elderly was a commitment that evolved for her from a very young age.  She was a CAN for 10 years here at our facility and then attended Madisonville Community College to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Residents with dementia became her specialty and she has been instrumental in the Secure Unit for over 5 years. Jamie possesses the patience and understanding needed to deal with residents who have an irreversible deterioration of intellectual facilities.  These people have become her gift in life and she dotes on them and their needs.
One of Jamie’s fondest memories is of her infant daughter, Madison Marie, who passed away in 2003.  She does have a beloved 10 year old son, Carson Matthew Casey with whom she relishes spending time.  She further enjoys any form of family outing and shopping.
Being a team player has dominated Jamie’s work experience and she even volunteers as an escort when one of our elders is in need.  She began this giving spirit at Morgantown Elementary when assisting students and teachers alike.
This cherished stakeholder has been employed here since 1989and has endeared herself to all those she has encountered.  She never was one to seek recognition; but how honorable it is to celebrate the life and contributions of a reliable, dependable and charismatic member of MCRCC- Jamie Marie Casey,LPN extraordinaire.

Billy Wood
The esteemed Billy Wood entered the world on January 3, 1931.  His fondest childhood memory was riding a stick horse during early days and playing as a cowboy.
He and his beloved wife, Nadean, had 3 children and Billy recalls his proudest moments being when his boys were born. They also welcomed 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Billy was a veteran of the United States Navy (Seaman First Class) and was stationed in Alaska.  He basically toured the world during the 18 months before he received an Honorable Discharge.
Much in demand as a heavy equipment operator (cranes and bulldozers) in Michigan and Kentucky, he received a gold watch at his 50 year retirement ceremony.  Billy was skilled, competent and knowledgeable about mechanical matters besides being the outgoing, gregarious and friendliest person one could encounter.
Being a Mason provided great joy to him and he was the Past Master of two Masonic Lodges, in Kentucky and Michigan.  Following the high ideals of this group enhanced his conduct and thinking.
Everyone has to have special interests’ Billy loved to dance and listen to country and old time rock and roll music.  He cultivated his own vineyards down neat Kentucky Lake and created delectable grape wine.  He said people came from miles away to view and taste the product of his labors.
Leisure hours were involved with hunting, fishing, watching western movies and playing poker.  The dominant feature of Billy Wood was to foster life’s enjoyment to all of those around him and to ensure the best possible life for his loving family.  This he did and did well.  He became a resident at MCCRC in 2011.

Fredrick S. Schaser
Fredrick S. Schaser was born on July 3, 1925 and passed away at age 89 in August, 2014.  Born in New Jersey, he lived a rich and varied life and somehow compacted two lifetimes into one.  He was a resident at our facility on two different occasions.
Married twice, he was the father of five daughters with seven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  His beloved family was a constant source of joy for him.
Fred was in the United States Army where he retired after 21 years with a rank of MES E7.  He was active in World War II and in Korea.  He branched out and went to TVA after Army life; he eventually retired from there as well.  He was awarded his GED while being in the service.
A crack shot, Fred was involved in the Olympics in Cairo, Egypt in 1962 where he placed third best in the world as a pistol shooter.  He led his team to an overall third place award; he was well known everywhere for his superb marksmanship.
Selling cars was a riveting interest of Mr. Schaser’s and he was employed as a car salesman at Roy Phelps Ford for numerous years.  He was an active Masonic Lodge member and loved playing bass guitar in a musical group call “The Challengers”.
Faith was an intricate part of his character and Baptist principles dominated his life.  Work ethics, love of country, and dedication to duty and family made Fred Schaser a larger than life accomplished hero of his time.  As such we remember him respectfully and honorably.