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The Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award
being presented to Ernie Shuchert by former Mayor Frank Derickson

Shuchert has been a prominent name in Chester for many years and the popular Popeye cartoon character, Wimpy, was modeled after Bill Schuchert, Elzie Segar’s boss at the Chester Opera House.

Now the name is back in the spotlight as Ernie, a descendent of Bill Schuchert, was named the 2006 Chester Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. Ernie Schuchert is a life-long resident of Chester and served as alderman of Ward 1 for over 14 years. He was a major contributor to the completion of Chester Square, the Segar mural, and the Welcome to Chester signs. He is currently on the Chester Beautification Committee and the Cohen Park Committee.

Schuchert is an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

A surprised new Citizen of the Year