JEFFERSON CITY—Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger will host a special ceremony on Monday to recognize 10 exceptional Missourians with the 2025 Senior Service Award. The award honors their contributions to their communities through volunteerism and public service.
Among those being honored is Jim Eddleman from Perryville.
Eddleman was drafted into the Army in 1966 and fought in the Tet Offensive. As he transported the severely wounded to medevac helicopters, he promised himself that if he survived, he would find a way to honor his comrades who had died. This promise ultimately led to the planning of Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial in Perryville.
Eddleman and his family donated 47 acres of their 48-acre family farm and a significant portion of his savings. After much hard work, his vision of recreating the Vietnam Memorial in Perryville became a reality, and the wall officially opened in May 2019. Eddleman has served as an active board member since the memorial’s opening.
The Senior Service Award is awarded annually to Missourians aged 60 and older who embody the spirit of service. Nominees are chosen based on their volunteer efforts, impact on local communities, and dedication to civic engagement.
The event will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday in the Capitol Rotunda and is open to both the public and members of the press.
“As Missouri’s official advocate for seniors, it is my honor to recognize those who continue to give back to their communities long after retirement,” said Lt. Governor Wasinger. “These 10 individuals represent the very best of Missouri — selfless, hardworking, and dedicated to improving the lives of those around them.”
This year's honorees, in addition to Eddleman, are Mark Lueckenhoff, executive director of Heartland Resources in Ewing; Bob and Sandy Marshall, advocates for the Alzheimer’s Association in Poplar Bluff; Mary Wesche, a volunteer with Aging Ahead and long-term care ombudsman from New Haven; Diana Butler, operations leader at PACE in St. Louis; Ray Reinagel, a volunteer high school softball coach in Kelso; Susan Wendleton, organizer of Laugh and Lunch in Carthage; Al Luetkemeyer, former mayor and long-term community advocate in St. Elizabeth; Frankie Hinkle, a community volunteer in Independence; and Marianne Baker, chair of the Welcome Committee and volunteer pianist in St. Louis.
Lt. Governor Wasinger launched this year’s nomination process earlier this spring, inviting community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and legislators to highlight seniors making a difference across the state.
About David Wasinger
David Wasinger is a lifelong resident of Missouri and was raised in Hannibal. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia and the Vanderbilt University School of Law, building a career as an attorney who stood up to powerful special interests and fought for justice for everyday Americans. Wasinger lives in Brentwood with his wife, Colleen, and their two sons.
