Shown L-R are John Wohlwend, Ron Wohlwend, Betty Neely and Sharon Wilson in background

Descendants of the Wohlwend family visited the museum on Monday, June 8, 2015 to research their local family roots, tour the museum and recollect times gone by. The Wohlwend family owned family farms west of Marion prior to the installation of the Illinois Ordnance Plant (Ordill) in 1941 which uprooted over 100 families. The properties are now part of the Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge.

Many of the early family members attended rural one room school houses such as Bainbridge School while they were young. Betty Neely, a Marion resident, was one of those students and still has vivid recollections of those days.

The Wohlwend family were also involved in the formation of the Bank of Egypt and operated Wohlwend Motors (later called Westernaire Dodge.)

Members of the Wohlwend family in attendance on Monday were John and Ron Wohlwend, Betty (Wohlwend) Neely, Sharon Wilson. Also visiting with the Wohlwends was Rick Avery.