Former Superior Mayor honored for his life of service
Nick Ianniello/Mineral Independent Elijah Krittendon pulls off a tarp off a bench memorializing his grandfather, John Anderson, as the rest of Anderson’s family crowds around. The bench was unveiled during a ceremony on July Fourth, honoring Anderson and his contribution to the community.
Out in front of the Mineral County Courthouse Friday, a group a people gathered to remember one of Mineral County’s most devoted public servants and Superior’s former mayor.
More than 80 people took time out of their Fourth of July celebrations and gathered on the front lawn of the Mineral County Courthouse to honor John Anderson, who lost his life to cancer in 2007, with the unveiling of a memorial bench in his honor.
The bench, which depicts Anderson and the emblem of the third armored tank division, which he served in during World War II, was paid for entirely by donations from friends and community members.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Bob Mahon and an invocation from Trinity Lutheran Church Pastor Ray Weigart.
Then there was a presentation of the colors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6238, with Herman Berneking commanding.
Representative Gordon Hendrick, R-Superior, spoke at the event and chronicled some of Anderson’s achievements.
Anderson was sworn in as Superior’s mayor for the first time on April 13, 1955.
During his stint as mayor he planned and oversaw the construction of Eva Horning Park. Hendrick said that Anderson felt the most important part of the park was the pool.
“That’s Anderson Pool as far as I’m concerned,” Hendrick said.
Hendrick also talked about Anderson’s efforts with low income housing in Superior and his ability to befriend anyone.
“That’s what I remember most about him, it’s his tenderness and his ability to wave at anyone,” Hendrick said.
Hendrick said that Anderson helped facilitate his entrance into politics and was always willing to help out an aspiring politician.
“The last conversation I had with John he made me promise to carry on the tradition of this town and make sure that all of the signs got put up for local politicians,” Hendrick said.
Former representative Sylvia Bookout-Reinicke said that Anderson was a community man who always helped out those in need.
“He cared for the people and the community’s welfare,” Bookout-Reinicke said.
Ray Godin spoke to the crowd and thanked all of the people that helped Anderson with his efforts in the community and said that Anderson’s efforts were all made possible because the community backed him.
“Nobody ever turned him down. This community is beautiful because of you,” Godin said.
Ed Chaberek said that Anderson was always willing to help those that he felt deserved help.
“If you were willing to do the right thing and work hard, you would find no better friend than John Anderson,” Chaberek said.
Chaberek said that Anderson was an emotionally strong man as well and recalled his last conversation with him.
“He took my hand and I could feel that it was he that was giving me the strength to bear what was to come, not the other way around,” Chaberek said.
When the floor was opened up for anyone who wanted to speak about Anderson, his granddaughter Christel Terrell-Godin stood up and gave a tearful speech about her grandfather.
“Grandpa’s never gone, he’s always walked beside us everyday,” Terrell-Godin said.
After the ceremony June Anderson, Anderson’s wife, said that the ceremony was amazing to her.
“I’m just so overwhelmed by it. It’s just so beautiful that people would do this for him,” Anderson said.
Mahon said that the bench would not have been possible without the efforts of those that donated and help from the Mineral County Commissioners.
After the ceremony many of Anderson’s well wishers gathered for a barbecue to talk about their late friend.