Former Mayor, Alderman, ESDA Director, Businessman

Lifetime Watseka civic leader Arthur “Ted” Hormer passed away Friday (8/16), a week shy of his 96 birthday.

Often called, ‘Mr. Watseka’, Ted served the community in pivotal roles for decades. Always a visionary, he looked to move the community forward, planned for the future, and was quoted saying “one should make things happen rather than letting things happen.”

At the time of his death, Ted was Safety Manager for Iroquois Paving Corporation since 1991. He was also an active member of the Development Council at Iroquois Memorial Hospital.

Ted’s devotion to country and his community started after graduating from Watseka Community High School. He and friends enlisted in the military, serving in WW !!. Then his love to his hometown began. He worked at Uarso Business Forms, T & D Metal Company, was co-owner of Austin Graphic Press, co-owned and operated The Chicago Store Men’s Ware and was Iroquois County Zoning Administrator.

Horner was 4th Ward Alderman in Watseka for five terms, served as Watseka Mayor 1997-2001, and served the Iroquois County Board for one term. Ted also served as Iroquois County ESDA Director, developing an emergency response plan for the County and City of Watseka.  He was one of the founders of the Iroquois County Law Enforcement Association and organized the former Township 8 Ambulance Service.

Ted Horner was honored as Watseka Citizen-of-the-Year in 1982 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.  Just recently, the Watseka City Council and the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce named a downtown Watseka site The Ted Horner Community Park.

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