Local attorney Mike Massie is one of four senior citizens in the state of Illinois to be inducted into the Illinois Department of Aging’s Hall of Fame. Massie was nominated by friend and fellow Rotarian, Mark Lohman of Geneseo.
On Thursday, a large crowd of colleagues, family and friends were in attendance when he was presented with the award by Lisa Zuurbier, manager of Division of Community Relations and Outreach for the Illinois Department on Aging, at the Galva Rotary’s meeting.
Each year, four older adults are inducted into the Hall of Fame for their achievements in arts, sports and entertainment, community service, education and labor force.
“Mike was nominated for outstanding achievements in the labor force category,” said Lohman, adding that he was selected by a panel of judges who found his commitment to the labor force to be beyond compare. “The judges determined he was the best nominee for this category.”
He was cited for being instrumental in the restoration of park fencing in historic Bishop Hill, and for his role in creating the Rotary Community Corp Club (RCC) at Kewanee’s Life Skill Re-entry center. Massie was quick to note that while there are more than 12,000 RCCs in the world, the one he and the Galva Rotary sponsored is the only one ever to be inside a correctional facility.
He and his wife, Vicki, have both been involved in Galva and Bishop Hill organizations for years. Among them are Rotary, the Bishop Hill Old Settlers’ Association and the Bishop Hill Heritage Association. Both are members of the United Methodist Church. Together they have five children, 12 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Born in Michigan, Massie grew up in Beardstown, Ill., and graduated from the University of Illinois Law School in 1972. During college, he was a member of the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps). Following graduation, Massie was a captain in the Air Force, serving in the Judge Advocate Corps at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Ill.
His general law practice began in Galva in 1973 and has evolved into a “transactional” practice, specializing in agriculture, business and estate planning, real estate and wind law. He and three other attorneys, Jerry Quick, Christopher Massie and Jordan Newell, provide counsel. He employs a staff of four, with his wife, Vicki, a paralegal, providing full time assistance as well.
Massie said that he was quite humbled by the award and was hesitant to let people know he was chosen. “I do my community service work because I like to help people,” he said. “Not for any glory or recognition.” He prefers to work quietly behind the scenes, lending a hand when called upon.
A strong proponent of business engagement, he feels that it develops the economy, improves productivity and profitability, while providing career pathways and living wages for individuals. In his nomination, Lohman noted that among the many organizations to which Massie’s been involved are the Youth and Government program (where he obtained their Hall of Fame recognition), and the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education that champions classroom education and leadership through FFA and Supervised Agricultural Law.
Lohman also noted that Massie served on the governor-appointed Illinois Workforce Innovation Board. “There,” said Lohman, “he helped form and lead career pathway opportunities for youth, special needs individuals and returning citizens.”
An active member of numerous American and Illinois State Bar Association programs, he also served as an adjunct professor for Western Illinois University.
Massie’s father, Glen, a graduate of the University of Michigan’s forestry program, provided him with early lessons in labor and the value and dignity of hard work at his company, Illinois Forest Products in Beardstown. The company included growing and then wholesaling thousands of Christmas trees every year. Working on the tree farm, he learned early how labor benefits anyone who chooses to put in the effort. “It was my job until I went away to law school,” Massie said.
His mother, Bernice Massey, who will soon turn 101, told him that she couldn’t understand how he could have been chosen. “How could I have a son that qualifies as a senior citizen at my age?” she joked. “He’s not old enough for that to happen.” For the record, he shares his mother’s perspective that he doesn’t qualify as a senior citizen either. It’s clear to those who know him that he has inherited his mother’s sense of humor.
Among those who praised his selflessness and service over the years were Representative Travis Weaver, who described Massie as the kind of person who does great things anonymously, without wanting any kind of recognition. “He’s the perfect team captain, always helping others be the best they can be.”
He also mentioned his impact on agricultural education in the state, opening up urban programs to youth in large cities.
Lohman added that when he became aware of the award last year, he immediately thought of Mike Massie.
“He’s very much a connector, and his advocacy for job opportunities for disadvantaged youth made him a workforce leader when others looked away.”
Cade Zima, representing Congressman Eric Sorenson, presented Massie with the Good Neighbor Certificate, reserved for those recognized as doing good work in the community.
Remarks ranged from poignant to humorous, with several extending thanks to Massie for the help he’s given them, to how he excels at cow chip throwing.
Three of his sons were in attendance and assured the audience that, as kids growing up under his tutelage, there was a lot of homegrown job experience. Son Christopher was quick to add, “he bought more land just so we’d have more lawn to mow.”
“A Rotarian for over 50 years, he has had the opportunity to follow the club’s ‘Service Above Self’ charge by helping a host of others with their careers during that time,” said Lohman. “His work with volunteers, including individuals in custody, community residents, business owners and government professionals, is commendable.”
According to their website, the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame was created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1994 to honor Illinois residents aged 65 and older.
Nominations must be submitted by June 2 each year. For information on submissions and criteria, go to the Illinois Department on Aging at https://ilaging.illinois.gov/resources/helpline-main.html.
To be eligible for nomination to the hall of fame, nominees must be aged 65 or older at the time of nomination and be a current or previous Illinois resident for most of their life. Posthumous nominations are also accepted. To be eligible, the nominee must have been 65 or older and living in Illinois at the time of death.
