Posted January 29, 2016 by
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This month, HoneyRock bids farewell to Don Kerns, our Site and Facilities Manager since 2004. Don served at Wheaton in auto and carpentry shop for 16 years before transferring to HoneyRock in 2001 to be the transportation coordinator.
Don's time at HoneyRock has come an end. He and his wife, Denise, sold "Likadee Splitz", the famous Three Lakes ice cream shop, and are moving to the Chicago where they will work and be near family.
In his time at HoneyRock, Don has become known for his caring work, personal touch, and faithful stewardship of HoneyRock’s facilities and equipment as the leader of his department. Over his 15 years at HoneyRock, Don has touched countless lives through his incredible gifts of hospitality and care. His behind-the-scenes service and high-quality expectations set the standard for quick response and excellence.
On January 12, we held a traditional "Ops" BBQ at the shop in Don’s honor. Tim, Sue, Evon, and Dave Haidle cooked Italian sausage in peppers and onions—one of the best tubular steaks you can eat! Don is known to carry a pocket full of 3x5 index cards to write notes, tasks, and work orders. He was given a handcrafted box full of index card notes from volunteers, friends, staff and students. He was also given a cowbell from the ops crew because he was the "lead bell cow" for their team. Finally, Don was honored with a "plaque" (an old yard goat tail gate) that hangs in the auto shop above his office acknowledging his 32 years of service at Wheaton College.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully stewarding God's grace in its various forms.” ~I Peter 4:10
Don was a faithful steward of his gifts of service and hospitality. He was also a faithful steward of HoneyRock's facilities and equipment and deserves much credit, along with his team, for the excellence of our site.
~ written by Rob Ribbe and Lydia Stucki