Eight former members of the Henry County Bar Association were remembered by their colleagues at a special memorial service held Friday, Aug. 22, at Cambridge Courthouse.

The ceremony, held in Chief Judge Terry Patton’s large courtroom on the second floor, was attended by nearly 50 people. Among them were attorneys, judges, clerks, family members and friends. Both retired and active judges of the 14th Judicial District and the Central District were seated together in the jury box, with practicing attorneys and selected speakers in the courtroom, facing the judge’s bench.

Both Judge Patton and the Hon. Clarence M. Darrow took part in the ceremony with Judge Darrow providing opening remarks and noting that those being honored all gave a lot to the court and to the communities they served.

Bar Association President Zac Lessard welcomed the crowd, expressing gratitude to those who had arranged the service.

“We are here today in this historic and beautiful courtroom to honor colleagues and friends,” said Lessard, adding that the bar association members want to recognize their contributions.

He introduced the speakers, each of whom shared public and personal stories about the honored attorneys.

Attorney Bruce Carmen spoke about his fellow lawyer, James Braendle, who died in 2010, after a long illness. Carmen shared that he was a familiar figure in Cambridge, where he lived with his family for over 40 years.

“Jim had a wonderfully dry sense of humor,” he said. “What is more, I never heard anyone say a bad thing about him.”

Carmen also spoke about Attorney Scott Smith, whose childhood nickname was “Skeet.” Smith, who died in 2011, practiced law in Henry County for 17 years before his death. “Scott was an amazing numbers man,” he said. “A hard-working lawyer, he was a family man through and through.” Carmen also noted that Smith was quite a jokester, sharing several stories of how the two of them would prank each other. “A good friend,” said Carmen. “Gone too soon.”

Attorney Mabel Brown was the only woman honored at the service. Just a few months shy of 100, Brown died in 2016. Friend and law partner, Roger Ray, spoke about his 37 years with her, recalling fondly what a unique person she was.

“She had a dignity, calm and reason about her like no one else,” said Ray.

The house in which she was born was her home all her life. That is where, in 1941, she joined her father, Harry Brown, in his law practice, working there until shortly before her death.

Living in the same home for close to a century did not limit her experiences. Well-read and well-traveled, she kept her horizons wide and varied. Ray spoke about all the changes in the world that happened during her lifetime, and how the feminist movement did not distract her.

“She did not see, nor recognize her station as she always assumed she would be in charge.”

Her parents encouraged her independence early on. At age 12, her parents bought her a car to drive herself to school in the Quad Cities.

“Despite her strength and determination, she had a side to her that was quiet, steady, and kind,” Ray said.

Henry County State’s Attorney Catherine Runty memorialized Martin “Marty” DeWulf, who died in 2020 at the age of 65. After graduating from Southern Illinois Law School, he opened his practice in Kewanee in 1985. Runty noted that his main interest was in criminal and civil cases.

“He was a passionate advocate for his clients,” she said. “Marty was greatly dedicated to his practice and loved his family and his church.” She went on to say that he was good-natured and friendly. “It showed in all he did.”

Attorney Scott Clemens, described as “fiery and passionate” by Hon. James Cosby, died in 2023, after practicing law for 45 years in Henry County. He and his wife resided in Kewanee during that time, where he was active in the community.

A Boy Scout leader and member of Rotary and Kiwanis, he was also very involved with the local Salvation Army. An avid Western Illinois University fan, Cosby shared that he dedicated his life to his community. He said that he was someone who could always be relied upon.

“As a public defender, he made the prosecutors earn their judgments,” he quipped. “I learned a lot from Scott and am a better lawyer because of it.”

Hon. Ted Hamer spoke about Thomas Montgomery, who practiced law in Cambridge from 1975 to 2010, when ill health forced him to retire. He and his wife, Barbara, were both active in the Cambridge community, and they created a scholarship for graduates of Cambridge High School.

“Tom was a public defender for nearly twenty years,” said Hamer. “He always gave the best defense possible.” Hamer told the story of a murder case that Montgomery handled. “He not only defended the accused, he also helped the family, who lived elsewhere and had nothing.” He went on to say, “Although he lost the case, he made certain that his client served a long sentence rather than receiving the death penalty.”

Hamer shared that Montgomery’s fun side showed in his love of magic tricks. “He put on magic shows for his children, who called him “Amazing Tom” as they begged for more,” he said. “Amazing magic, yes. Amazing golf game, not so much.”

Attorney Lance Camp shared his memories of his colleague Eugene Stockton, who died in January. Stockton was Henry County’s first full-time Public Defender, taking on that role for many years before illness forced him to retire in 2010. He spent his childhood on the family farm in Hooppole, and after graduating from law school, he and his wife settled in Prophetstown with their three children.

“Gene had a terrific sense of humor,” said Camp. “His smile and laughter would light up the room.”

An avid hunter, he was a master woodworker, softball player, and enjoyed antiquing with his wife, Pam. His ties were always close to the area, having graduated from Annawan High School and Augustana College before getting his JD from the University of Dayton. “He made things better by being a good lawyer.”

Hon. Jeffrey O’Connor spoke about his friend, colleague and first cousin, John Blachinsky, who died in March of this year. After serving in the Navy, he attended John Marshall Law School. Upon graduation, he returned to Kewanee and entered into practice with his father, Charles “Chick” Blachinsky. In 2015, he semi-retired and worked in the law firm of Barash and Everett. Like his father, the younger Blachinsky was a city attorney and worked with many municipalities.

He and his wife, Liz, loved Kewanee, raising their three daughters there. O’Connor noted that his passion for the law will continue, as two of his daughters are attorneys and one grandson is currently in law school. Outside of his law office, he was a die-hard Kewanee Boilermakers fan, with orange being his favorite color.

“For John, every day was a Boiler Day,” said O’Connor. “He was a great attorney and the best storyteller there was.” He noted that at his funeral, which was standing room only, a sea of Boilermaker orange filled the room.

Following the memorial service, Judge Darrow thanked the speakers for their contributions and shared his appreciation to Attorney Lessard, 14th District Court Administrator Vicki Bluedorn, Dawn Tanner and Circuit Clerk Terilyn Motley for their efforts in helping to arrange the memorial service.

Judge Patton had remarked earlier that he was glad the memorial was carried out and credited the Bar Association members for their support.