Local 34’s Mike Cheatham Named Citizen of the Year—
Bartonsville, Illinois

April 2004 IBEW Journal

Mike Cheatham, a foreman at Oberlander Electric, assistant chief for the Bartonsville Fire Department and 30-year member of Local 34, has been named Citizen of the Year (2003) in Bartonsville, Illinois. Cheatham’s brother, Kevin, is also a member of Local 34 and serves as a captain in the Fire Department.

The February 2004 issue of The Labor Paper, produced by the West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, featured an article on Cheatham’s many accomplishments in the community.

Cheatham, an apprentice instructor for Local 34, joined the Fire Department on his 21st birthday. He has served also as a Cub Scout leader, an assistant hockey coach, deacon at Bethel Baptist Church and CPR instructor for the American Heart Association. Mike served for four years on the Bartonsville School Board, two as president. He credits his wife of 20 years, Charlene, a 911 supervisor, for having the patience to support him in all of his community activities.

Brian Fenger, Bartonsville police chief and member of Laborers Local 165 told The Labor Paper: "… [Mike] is an excellent guy, who is very pleasant and easy to work with. If there’s a difference of opinion, he listens well and he explains his position. We always get it worked out with no hard feelings."

IBEWCURRENTS
Vernon Lungrin of Local 480 Succumbs to Throat Cancer

The IBEW regrets to announce the death of retired Local 480, Jackson, Mississippi, member Vernon Lungrin, the World War II and on-the-job hero who was featured in the March 2004 issue of the IBEW Journal. He had survived Japanese captivity and a 1981 acid spill that burned away part of a foot, but died February 25, following complications with throat cancer. He was 83. His sons Samuel Vernon Jr. (Sam) and Gary T. (Ted) are also members of Local 490.