“Rev. Glenn Bergmark has served the Village of Lemont in capacities too numerous to name,” wrote Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves in his nomination of Bergmark for 2012 Senior Citizen of the Year.

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-3) honored Bergmark and other Senior Citizens of the Year from his districtat an award ceremony last week. The honorees were nominated by members of their communities for their dedication to volunteerism and civic involvement.

Bergmark retired as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Lemont in 2004, after nearly 40 years of service. But Lemont’s Senior Citizen of the Year has certainly not been sitting idle during his retirement.

On the safety and environmental front, Bergmark  serves as an elected trustee of the Lemont Fire Protection District and its pension board; has been president of the Lemont Environmental Advisory Commission since 1973; organized and is a member of the Odor Alert Network for the Village of Lemont and is a member of the Community Awareness Emergency Response at the CITGO Lemont Refinery.

In and around the community, Bergmark  is a member and former chairman of the Lemont Christian Clergy Association, serves on the executive board of PLOWS Council on Aging, where he is a former president; is treasurer of the Community Chest of Lemont, a member of the ethics committee of the Franciscan Village/Mother Theresa Home, as well as a 40-year member of the Lemont Lions Club.

Besides Bergmark, other 2012 Senior Citizen of the Year winners from the Third Congressional District are: Carol A. Coleman, Indian Head Park; Lawrence Wyllie, New Lenox; Paul O. Weber, Chicago; Marge Weiner, Tinley Park; Gary Niehaus, Lockport; Janet Paulin, Forest Park; Harron Beene, Summit; Donald E. Cramer, Burbank; Carol Stefan, Palos Heights; Ruth Rodriguez, Berwyn; Dr. Robert J. Novak, Riverside; Delores Dupree, Chicago; Alma Marble, Cicero; Denny Conway, Chicago; Bob Orlow, Chicago; Roy A. Overholt, Brookfield; Patricia Cossin, Bridgeview; and Lorraine A. Kawalek, LaGrange Park

“These winners, on a daily basis, demonstrate the outstanding community spirit and commitment that exists in all of our communities,” Lipinski said at the ceremony last week. “As congressman for the Third Congressional District, I have been privileged to meet many people who actively seek to make their communities better places to live and work. I am honored to recognize these senior citizens, who have selflessly donated their time and energy to causes and pursuits that benefit so many other people.”