2025
Black Camel
Embedded Files
Illustrious Sir Harry W. Sterling, PP
Illustrious Sir Harry W. Sterling, PP
January 2025
Syrian Shrine · Potentate 2003
GLSA President 2008
Harry served as Potentate of Syrian Shrine in 2003 and President of the Great Lakes Shrine Association in 2008. His dedication to the Shrine was also recognized with the Thomas W. Melham Humanitarian Award in 2013.
Illustrious Sir Ernest “Ernie” J. Smith, Jr., PP
Illustrious Sir Ernest “Ernie” J. Smith, Jr., PP
May 29, 1943 – January 12, 2025
Mohammed Shrine · Potentate 2003
Ernie was a longtime Mason and Shriner who served as Potentate of Mohammed Shrine in 2003. A U.S. Navy veteran and retired Caterpillar employee, he was remembered for his warmth, generosity, storytelling and the many friendships he built through the Shrine and his community.
Illustrious Sir Roy Francis Kinne, PP
Illustrious Sir Roy Francis Kinne, PP
June 16, 1935 – January 13, 2025
Elf Khurafeh Shrine · Potentate 2006 & 2013
Roy devoted decades to Masonry and Elf Khurafeh Shrine, serving twice as Potentate as well as in numerous Shrine clubs, units and leadership positions. His service included many years with the hospital committee and a decade on the Board of Shriners Children's Chicago. He was also known as “Curly” in the Elf Khurafeh Clown Unit.
Illustrious Sir Douglas R. Boyd, PP
Illustrious Sir Douglas R. Boyd, PP
July 23, 1940 – February 9, 2025
Antioch Shrine · Potentate 1999
Douglas was a lifelong member of the Antioch Shrine community and served as Potentate in 1999. His Shrine service also included serving on the Cincinnati Board of Governors for Shriners Children's. Outside the Shrine, he enjoyed woodworking, golf, cards, gardening and time with his family.
Illustrious Sir Thomas S. Schrag, PP
Illustrious Sir Thomas S. Schrag, PP
September 8, 1949 – February 19, 2025
Ainad Shrine · Potentate 2005
Thomas was a dedicated member of Ainad Shrine who served as Potentate in 2005. His extensive Shrine involvement included the Directors Staff, Circus Committee, Insurance Committee and several Shrine Clubs, along with service in the Royal Order of Jesters. He was also a National Guard veteran and active community leader.
Illustrious Sir Clay P. Hepler, PP
Illustrious Sir Clay P. Hepler, PP
August 21, 1926 – February 22, 2025
Zenobia Shrine · Potentate 1961
Clay was a longtime Mason and Shriner who became Potentate of Zenobia Shrine in 1961 at just 35 years old, making him the youngest Shrine Potentate in the country at the time. His lifetime of service also included leadership with the Ohio Shrine Association, Jesters and numerous civic and community organizations.
Illustrious Sir Fred Esken, PP
Illustrious Sir Fred Esken, PP
May 4, 1950 – March 19, 2025
Mohammed Shrine · Potentate 2013
Fred was a member of Temple Masonic Lodge No. 46, the Scottish Rite Valleys of Peoria and Bloomington, and Mohammed Shrine, where he served as Potentate in 2013. His Masonic service was recognized with the Illinois Council of Deliberation's Meritorious Service Award in 2020.
Illustrious Sir Charles “Chuck” Dea Pierce, PP
Illustrious Sir Charles “Chuck” Dea Pierce, PP
January 29, 1943 – April 14, 2025
Tebala Shrine · Potentate 1998
GLSA President 2010
Chuck served as Potentate of Tebala Shrine in 1998 with a focus on service “for the love of the children,” and later served as President of the Great Lakes Shrine Association in 2010. A Mason, Shriner, Jester and longtime philanthropist, he was devoted to service, family and the outdoors.
Illustrious Sir Thomas Fredrick Placher, Sr., PP
Illustrious Sir Thomas Fredrick Placher, Sr., PP
February 4, 1957 – April 20, 2025
Elf Khurafeh Shrine · Potentate 2014
Thomas devoted his life to service to his country and community and proudly served as Potentate of Elf Khurafeh Shrine. A Marine Corps veteran who also served in the Michigan National Guard, his Shrine involvement gave him another avenue through which to serve others.
Illustrious Sir Joseph William Barnes Jr., PP
Illustrious Sir Joseph William Barnes Jr., PP
October 22, 1939 – May 17, 2025
Ainad Shrine · Potentate 1985
Joe was a 33° Mason and longtime member of Ainad Shrine, where he served as Arab Patrol Club President and as Potentate in 1985. He was also active in the Scottish Rite and Royal Order of Jesters and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Joe was remembered for his wit, love of family and passion for golf.
Illustrious Sir Larry D. Jefferson, PP
Illustrious Sir Larry D. Jefferson, PP
November 27, 1936 – May 31, 2025
Murat Shrine · Potentate 1993
Larry held numerous leadership positions at Murat Shrine, culminating in his service as Potentate in 1993. He later served 13 years as Murat Treasurer, five years as Recorder, and held leadership roles with the Shrine Treasury Association of North America and Royal Order of Jesters. He was a 33° Mason and recipient of the Imperial Potentate's Award of Merit.
Illustrious Sir Joey Lee Scott, PP
Illustrious Sir Joey Lee Scott, PP
December 26, 1934 – June 23, 2025
Murat Shrine · Potentate 1995
Joe was a dedicated Freemason and Shriner who served as Potentate of Murat Shrine in 1995 and as President of its Arab Patrol. A 33° Mason, he also served on the Board of Governors of the Shrine hospital in Cincinnati and Murat's Board of Directors. His professional career was distinguished by leadership in physical therapy and healthcare administration.
Illustrious Sir Robert L. “Bob” Seelye, PP
Illustrious Sir Robert L. “Bob” Seelye, PP
December 1, 1948 – July 6, 2025
Mohammed Shrine · Potentate 1987
Bob was a Mason for 53 years and a member of Temple Masonic Lodge No. 46 and the Scottish Rite Valley of Peoria. He served Mohammed Shrine as Potentate in 1987, reflecting a lifetime of dedication to Masonry and the Shrine.
Illustrious Sir Steven Robert Johnson, PP
Illustrious Sir Steven Robert Johnson, PP
December 1, 1948 – July 22, 2025
Mizpah Shrine · Potentate 1997
Steve served as Potentate of Mizpah Shrine in 1997 and as its Shrine Circus Director for ten years. His Masonic and Shrine involvement also included the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite, Royal Order of Jesters and service as Past President of SCAFRA. He especially cherished his family, travel and time on the golf course.
Illustrious Sir William “Carl” Eakes, PP
Illustrious Sir William “Carl” Eakes, PP
March 3, 1931 – August 10, 2025
Zenobia Shrine · Potentate 2008
Carl served as Potentate of Zenobia Shrine in 2008. He retired from General Motors after a 42-year career and remained active throughout his life, enjoying basketball, tennis, golf and bowling. He and his wife, Clarice, shared 75 years of marriage.
Illustrious Sir Joel Raymond Ozment, PP
Illustrious Sir Joel Raymond Ozment, PP
May 10, 1934 – September 30, 2025
Moslem Shrine · Potentate 2009
Joel was a 66-year Mason and dedicated Shriner who served as Potentate of Moslem Shrine in 2009. He was active in numerous Shrine clubs and particularly enjoyed volunteering with the Shrine Circus in support of Shriners Children's. His lifetime of public service also included careers in law enforcement and with the Michigan Secretary of State.
Illustrious Sir Ronald John Obara, PP
Illustrious Sir Ronald John Obara, PP
November 21, 1942 – October 8, 2025
Tebala Shrine · Potentate 2001
Ron served as Potentate of Tebala Shrine in 2001 and participated in numerous Shrine units, including the Air Squadron and Mini Bikes. His commitment to Shriners Children's continued through many years of service on the Chicago hospital's Board of Governors, where he ultimately became an Emeritus Member. He was remembered for his humor, generosity and dedication to helping others.
Illustrious Sir Robert Earl “Bob” Peterson, PP
Illustrious Sir Robert Earl “Bob” Peterson, PP
March 28, 1928 – November 19, 2025
Medinah Shrine · Potentate 1990
Bob was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran and longtime Mason and Shriner who served as Potentate of Medinah Shrine in 1990. His service included leadership in the Medinah Marching Patrol and 11 years on the Board of Shriners Hospitals for Children. He was also active in the Royal Order of Jesters and numerous other Masonic organizations.
Illustrious Sir William Simon “Bill” Spyr, PP
Illustrious Sir William Simon “Bill” Spyr, PP
August 17, 1927 – November 23, 2025
Murat Shrine · Potentate 1988
GLSA President 1996
Bill was a 33° Mason and longtime member of Murat Shrine, serving as Potentate in 1988 and President of the Great Lakes Shrine Association in 1996. A Merchant Marine veteran, he was also recognized as a Sagamore of the Wabash. Bill was known as a people person who enjoyed life, family and fellowship.
Illustrious Sir Kenneth A. Weidig, PP
Illustrious Sir Kenneth A. Weidig, PP
August 3, 1946 – December 6, 2025
Al Koran Shrine · Potentate 1998
Ken was a longtime Mason and member of Al Koran Shrine who dedicated many years to supporting Shriners Children's, including service on the board of the Erie orthopedic hospital. A career firefighter and public educator, he devoted much of his life to serving his community and helping others.
Page updated
Report abuse