Former Troy Resident receives Meritorious Service Award

By Times Tribune Staff

Donna Grable, a former resident of Troy, was recently awarded the Meritorious Service Award from the Grand Encampment of Illinois. 

According to the news release, this award is the highest award given to any Odd Fellow or Rebekah for outstanding service in the Order. She was presented with her award by Jim Bott, Past Chief Patriarch and Past Grand Master. 

Grable was installed as Grand Matriarch of the Grand Encampment of Illinois Session held in Lincoln, on Oct. 16. She is a member of Jerseyville Encampment 20, where she is currently serving as Chief Matriarch. Grable is an Associate member of Wildey 1, Alton; and Ridgley 9, Winchester. 

Grable is a 59 year member of Pride of the West Rebekah Lodge 544 andNeilson Odd Fellow Lodge 25 in Troy. She is currently serving as Secretary of the Rebekah Lodge and Right Support of Noble Grand in the Odd Fellow Lodge. She served as President of the Rebekah Assembly of Illinois in 2019-2020. Grable served as Advisor of Comets Theta Rho in Troy in the 1970s. She has served as a District Deputy President and Assembly instructor for many years. She also serves as Secretary of the Odd Fellow Rebekah Home Board in Mattoon, Chairman of the Odd Fellow Rebekah Scholarship Committee of Illinois and Chairman of the Visual Research Committee of Illinois. 

The Troy lodges have worked many years with the D.A.R.E. Program providing t-shirts for the students. She is a Past President of Southern Illinois Anniversary Association serving as President in 1988 and a Past President of Rebekah District 26 in 1975. She currently serves as Secretary of District 26. 

There are many other offices that Grable holds in various organizations. She is an Associate Member of Brighton Odd Fellow Lodge, where she serves as Secretary. She is also an Associate Member of Jerseyville Odd Fellow Lodge 53 where she is currently serving as Noble Grand. She is an Associate Member of Mt. Olive Odd Fellow lodge 114 in Salem and is currently working on instituting a new Rebekah Lodge in Salem. 

Grable also holds Associate Membership in Ruby Rebekah Lodge 263, Jerseyville, currently serving as secretary. 

Grable is a member of the Patriarch Militant in Jerseyville. She is currently serving as Captain. She received the Decoration of Chivalry in 1973 from Patriarch Militant. Outside of the Lodge Grable serves as Treasurer of Madison County Association for Health, Community and Education. She serves as Secretary-Treasurer of her church. Member of Hanah White Shrine 108 of Highland serving as Worthy High Priestess in 2021, member of the Order of Easter Start — Queen City Chapter, Fairview Heights, Faith Amaranth of Centralia, Highland Crafters. She is a Past member of the Edwardsville Lioness Club, Past member of Edwardsville Business and Professional Women, Past member of the Guardian Council of Job’s Daughters. Grable is a past member of the Edwardsville Central Trade and Labor Council and Retail Clerks 304R. She continues to devote much time to everything she is involved in.