Who are Harold and Jean Miner?
Answer
The Miner Charitable Foundation was established by Harold and Jean Miner, lifelong farmers who lived in rural Watseka in Iroquois County. The Miners were involved in all facets of farming along with being dedicated community supporters who volunteered in agriculture, music and their church.
Harold served six different Secretaries of Agriculture as a member of the U.S. Department of Agricultural Feed Grain Advisory Committee from 1974 to 1991: Earl L. Butz, John A. Knebel, Robert S. Bergland, John R. Block, Richard E. Lyng, and Clayton K. Yeutter. He also was on an advisory committee for U.S. Trade Representatives Clayton Yeutter and Carla Hills. Harold was 88 years old when he died in 2007.
Jean, an accomplished musician, was part of a professional signing trio along side her two sisters. Jean shared her talent as organist at their church for more than 30 years. She also played organ at the Iroquois County Fair during the Draft Horse Shows. The shows were among the largest in Illinois and a popular attraction in front of the main grandstands. Jean died in 2009, at age 90.
The Miner Charitable Foundation carries on the wishes of Harold and Jean through charitable gifts and college scholarships. The scholarships are for Iroquois County High School graduates, and many of the recipients study in areas such as agriculture, library science, music, public safety, and teaching, where the Miners had their strongest interests.
Members of the Miner Foundation Board of Directors are Mike Miner, Charles Hopkins and Darrin Fischer. The Foundation advisors are: Joseph Planera, George Cuonzo and Don Granzow.
A grateful recipient of the Miner Charitable Foundation's monetary donation, Kankakee Community College was proud to name the Student Success Center and library in honor of Harold and Jean Miner.