Longtime family friends Jo Lundeen and Cliff Lundeen provided sad news of Glen Ekey’s passing after the challenges of a long illness early Fri., Oct. 23, 2020. His wife, Marilyn, was by his side.
God bless Glen Ekey, Marilyn, all the Ekey family and the wonderful memories related to the inspiration provided by Glen in the community he loved.
An obituary with a tribute to Glen Ekey’s many accomplishments will be forthcoming via another post.
A memorial visitation will be held on Wed., Oct. 28, from 4PM until 8PM at the Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville.
Update, Oct. 25,2020 / Covid restricts attendance to 25 visitors at a time. The funeral home will help to monitor and ensure everyone can pay their respects. Masks and social distancing please. Thank you for your understanding. Additional information can be found at Friedrich Jones Funeral Home.
At 11AM on Thurs., Oct. 29, the family will hold a private church service at Bethany Lutheran in Naperville. Due to Covid, attendance is restricted. You are encouraged to join the service online via a streaming broadcast. Kindly use the attached link to join: Glen’s Memorial Service.
Understanding and prayers are truly appreciated as we navigate these difficult times.
—Family of Glen Ekey
Editor’s Note on April 13, 2013: During the April 11, 2013, meeting of the Naperville Park District Board of Park Commissioners, the Board voted unanimously to name the driving range at Naperbrook Golf Course the “Glen Ekey Driving Range.”
Next up, the Naperville Park District will host a brief ceremony to dedicate the Glen Ekey Driving Range at 11AM on Sat., May 18, at Naperbrook Golf Course, located at 22204 W. 111th St. in Plainfield. The community is welcome to attend.
Original Post, Feb. 2013 /Notice of 60-day waiting period to name driving range
At the February 14 meeting of the Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners, the Board expressed support for the idea to name the driving range at Naperbrook Golf Course the “Glen Ekey Driving Range.”
Following initial consideration of the naming proposal, the Board’s policy requires a 60-day waiting period prior to a final vote to approve the naming.
Glen Ekey was an influential Naperville Park District director serving from 1981-1996 during a period of rapid growth in the community. The 1981 population of approximately 45,000 grew to 118,000 in 1996 with two golf courses and 123 parks encompassing 2,300 acres. Ekey had the vision to purchase on behalf of the District much of the park land that we enjoy today for outdoor recreation.
“Glen was an avid golfer,” said Director of Golf Ed Provow. “It makes sense to the Park Board and to staff to name a golf-related amenity in honor of him.”
Once the naming becomes official the Naperville Park District plans to host an event at Naperbrook Golf Course in May 2013 to dedicate the range as the “Glen Ekey Driving Range.”
Editor’s Note: Fun-loving Ekey has been a member of the Rotary Club of Naperville with deep roots in many community activities and organizations since the early 1980s. He often is credited as the inspiration for Ribfest back in 1987, now the Exchange Club of Naperville’s signature fundraising event, held annually in conjunction with Independence Day in Knoch Park.
In 1994, Ekey received the IPRA Robert M. Artz Award, the IPRA’s highest honor for professionals whose “efforts have had lasting value and created an awareness of the importance of parks and recreation in the community served.”
In the mid-to-late 1990s, Ekey co-chaired the Riverwalk 2000 Fundraising Campaign Committee with Ed Channell, helping to raise more than $750,000 for enhancements on the Riverwalk Extension along the DuPage River from the Washington Street Bridge to Hillside Road.
Ekey earned his B.A. in Recreation Administration from Michigan State University and his M.A. in Recreation Education from Purdue University. These days Ekey and his wife, Marilyn, share their time with family and friends in Naperville, Michigan and Arizona.
Photo courtesy Jo Lundeen
