2021/04/05 - Mayor's Column: Thank You Dennis Grimmer and Betty Osborne
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
This letter is intended to celebrate the lives of two of O’Fallon’s finest members. During the past week, O’Fallon lost two major assets to our community. Their time, effort, and actions were done purely for the love of our community and others. They both touched many lives and left lasting impressions on those they came in contact with. I’m speaking of Mr. Dennis Grimmer and Mrs. Betty Osborne.
Dennis touched many lives through his days as a teacher, coach, and principal at OTHS and St. Teressa’s. Students were an extension of his family. If you stood by him when students came into school, you would be amazed as he would call out to each of them by name. If your child was in a sport, play, or any activity at the school, you would always see him at the event. Students were not only numbers to him.
His desire to give back and help others can be seen in his volunteer work, his work on the Planning Commission, on the Park Board, the City Council and the Library Board where he has served for 25 years and has been the President for the past five years.
Betty Osborne is a wonderful lady in every sense of the word but everyone knew that she would not take no for an answer. While President of the O’Fallon Women’s Club, she helped establish Memorial Corner in the late 60’s at Lincoln and 1st Street to honor our fallen service members.
This probably would have been a very good lasting accomplishment for many, but not for our Miss Betty. In her youthful 70’s, this energetic and dedicated young lady came up with an idea in 2002 that she wanted to establish a FIRST CLASS VETERANS MONUMENT to honor all of our Citizens that have served in the military. And today, because of her idea, her determination, and drive, we have the beautiful 15-pillar, star shaped monument located at 737 E. Wesley Drive.
Betty once said, “her life in O’Fallon was enriching.” But really, her life and that of Dennis have been enriching to our City and all of us that live in O’Fallon.
I want to say THANK YOU to both families for supporting them and allowing us to borrow them for so many hours that took them away from their families and express our sincerest gratitude.
I’m so very fortunate to have known and been friends with both Betty and Dennis. They both have helped establish a legacy of giving back to our community and others that is an example for all of us. They are two excellent examples of why O’Fallon is the City it is. They will truly be missed by many of us.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open!