FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CARBONDALE
ELDERS, CLASS OF 2012:
John Baker - Personnel Ministry
— Dorothy and John moved to Carbondale with their children Carolyn and Craig from Southern California. They joined First Presbyterian Church in 1977. John served as a Trustee and currently is a choir member. Since his retirement from teaching Political Science and various administrative posts at SIUC, he has enjoyed genealogy research, reading, and traveling.
E-mail: jhbaker@siu.edu
Barbara Bennett - Stewardship Ministry
— E-mail: abennett@neondsl.com
Diane Cash - Membership Ministry
— It was in 1974 that I came to Carbondale and immediately wanted to attend this beautiful church. Never through the years have I been disappointed in any of the "elements" that make us a church. There have been many warm welcomes, good music experiences, interesting adult activities and worship times that have given me reason to be a part of and be involved in this church.
E-mail: djcash1@excite.com
Judy Dawson - Mission Ministry
— Judy has attended First Presbyterian for eighteen years and is an accountant at SIU. She enjoys cross stitching, quilting and camping. She has been married for 40 years and has two children, Christine and Michael, a daughter-in-law Madlyn, and three grandchildren Danielle (16), Craig (13) and Kaitlin (10).
E-mail: Dawsonstevejudy@aol.com
Michael Eldridge - Faith Development Ministry
— Michael Eldridge began attending First Presbyterian Church in 2007. The music, style of worship, sermons, wonderful people and opportunities for volunteer work and small groups were all reasons for him to join this church in 2009. Michael is studying Early Childhood Education at SIUC and plans to graduate in May 2011. In addition to serving on session, he participates in the choral choir, bell choir, Yarning to Make a Difference, Quench College Group and assists in teaching Sunday school. Michael’s other interests include tennis, running, reading, gardening and spending time outdoors.
E-mail: meldridg@siu.edu
ELDERS, CLASS OF 2013:
Mary Boyle - Fellowship Ministry
Karen Hippensteel - Small Groups Ministry
— Karen & Tom moved to Carbondale from Southern CA in 2004. Karen retired from Materials Management, having worked in hospitals in Nebraska and California for 30 years. Together, Karen & Tom have 7 children and 15 grandchildren. They run the HippenHoff Vineyard. Karen has been a deacon, handbell/choir member and part-time organist in previous churches. Hobbies include gardening, music, golf and NE & SIU sports.
E-mail: khippensteel@yahoo.com
Kitty Trescott - Faith Development Ministry
— The sermons and the music at First Presbyterian caught the attention of Kitty and Bart. "Holy, Holy, Holy" had been sung every Sunday at their previous two churches. They felt called. People were all so friendly.
Kitty is a retired middle school teacher, who taught in all areas. Kitty's hobbies include playing violin and viola, sewing, photography, travel and all things Chinese. Kitty is grateful for her cherished husband, Bart. She has a daughter Marie (Tim), stepdaughter Jill (Robbie) and stepson Jeff. She has three grandchildren: James Kinicki (MN) and Cory and LIndsey Frisby (who lived at their house from 2001 - 2005 now at Colp). Kitty is also blessed with two great grandaughters Isabella (3) and Liliana (19 months).
E-mail:
ELDERS, CLASS OF 2014:
Rosemary 'Rosey' Acklin Gibbs -

John Holt -
— John joined First Presbyterian in 1987. He and Pam are area natives, and together they have five children and eleven grandchildren. John is a local real estate broker who has previously served the church as Elder, Deacon and Trustee. He enjoys cooking, music, stained glass and travel. E-mail: jkholt@mchsi.com
Alisa Simpson -
— Alisa moved to Carbondale with her husband Ken and daughter Margaret in 1994, joining First Presbyterian soon after. She has served as a trustee (now enveloped in the Stewardship ministry) and is currently serving as an elder on the Worship and Stewardship ministries. She is the library media specialist at Unity Point Elementary, working with PreK through grade 8 students. Her hobbies include reading, baking, traveling, serving as the family archivist, and walking her little Corgi Emma. E-mail: simpson783@gmail.com
Flossie Langin - Clerk of the Session
— Flossie's family moved to Carbondale in 1997 and joined First Presbyterian soon after. Her husband, Chet, works at SIU. She grew up in the Presbyterian church, her grandfather and father are ordained Presbyterian ministers. Flossie first joined this church because of its Contemporary/Praise worship service. She served in a leadership position for this service for its duration. After a career working with children she now enjoys being a stay-at-home (grand)mom.
E-mail: flangin57@yahoo.com
Linda Brandon - Treasurer
