In Memoriam

Past International Director Jerome "Jerry" L. Radlinger (1971-1973) died on December 31, 2022 at the age of 95. He was surrounded by his loving family at home and under the care of Hope Hospice.

Past Director Radlinger became a member of the Dorchester Lions Club in 1956. While serving his term as district governor, he chartered seven new clubs. He served as club director, club president and multiple times as district international chairperson. For his dedication to the association, the late past director received numerous awards, including the Master Key, Senior Builder Key, three Extension Awards, the 50-, 55-, 60- and 65-Year Monarch Chevron, the Life Membership award, a Silver and Gold Centennial Lion, nine International President's Awards and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association can bestow upon a member. He was also a Melvin Jones Fellow.

The late past director enjoyed a successful career in the automobile industry. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and holder of the Purple Heart. He was also a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marshfield Elks. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family and especially enjoyed the great outdoors.

Past International Director Billy C. Pearson (1996-1998) died on December 26, 2022 at the age of 88.

The late PID Pearson joined the Murfreesboro Lions Club in 1966 and was a life member. He served at many levels including club president, club LCIF Coordinator, District International Relations Coordinator, District Governor. As International Director, he and the late Mrs. Pearson traveled around the United States and the world visiting and speaking to many Lions Clubs.

For his dedication to the association, he received many accolades and awards during his 56 years as a member including the 45, 50 and 55-Year Monarch Chevron, Builder Key, two Extension Awards, Lion of Service and Lions Share, the Honor Roll award, an International President’s Leadership Award and seven International President’s Awards, as well as the Ambassador of Goodwill, the highest honor a Lion can receive. He was also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

In addition to his Lions activities, the late Past Director Pearson coached Murfreesboro Junior Pro basketball for 15 years and served on the Murfreesboro Babe Ruth board of directors. He served as a volunteer for the Cancer Crusade, Kidney Foundation and March of Dimes. He was the recipient of the Senior Citizen of the Year Award in Rutherford County in 2005 and a Life Achievement Award for Volunteer Services. He was a United States Army veteran and formerly a member of Kingwood Heights Church of Christ for 42 years where he served as Benevolence Coordinator. Most recently he was a member of East Main Church of Christ. He enjoyed a successful career and retired from AVCO/ Textron Industries after 33 years of service.

His life was celebrated by family and friends at the Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro, TN. Memorials in his honor may be made to Murfreesboro Lions Club.

Past International Director Dr. Massimo Fabio (1999-2001) has died. A Lion since 1973, the late past director served as club president, zone chairman, region chairman, district governor and council chairman. In addition, he held several multiple district level positions, including director of the Center for Lionism Studies and chairman of the International Relations Commission. He represented the International Association at the World Health Organization in Geneva from 1998 to1999 and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome from 2001 to 2017. He participated in 17 Lions International Conventions, including serving as speaker at the International Relations Seminar and a member of the Nomination Committee in Seoul in 1995 and Montreal in 1996, Rules of Procedure Committee in 2002 in Osaka and Credentials Committee in 2004 in Detroit.

Fabio participated at Lions Day at the United Nations multiple times, and attended the European Forums from 1993 to 2017, serving as an official speaker several times and as a forum president. He attended the first Mediterranean Conference held in Taormina in 1995 and each year thereafter until 2019 as well as several OSEAL Forums. He most recently held the position of secretary-archivist of the Observatory of Mediterranean Solidarity.

In recognition of his service to the association, the late Past Director Fabio received numerous awards, including the 100% Club President Award, the 100% District Governor Award, one extension award, 15 International President’s Medals, three International President’s Leadership Awards, two International President’s Certificates of Appreciation, the 40- and 45-Year Monarch Chevron and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. He is also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

In addition to his Lion activities, the late Past Director Fabio was active in numerous professional and community organizations. He served as president of the Italian Association for International Relations and Conventions and as a member of the board of directors of Aluiss University in Rome. He served as the deputy director general of the Italian Industry’s Confederation, as a member of the Italian National Council for Economy and Labour and was a member of the board of directors of Florence University. He was also the auditor for Banca Toscana and assistant professor of labour law at the University of Siena.

Past International Director Stanley “Stan” Grossman (1999-2001) died on November 10, 2022 at the age of 93.  The late past director became a member of the Springfield Lions Club in New Jersey in 1967 where he had 33 years of perfect attendance. He held many offices, including district governor and council chairman, and served as secretary of the Lions Eye Research Foundation and as treasurer of the Lions Eye Bank of New Jersey. He also served as Campaign SightFirst group coordinator. PID Grossman and his late spouse Lion Ruth enjoyed representing Lions and participated in service projects throughout the country and the world, including building a home for Habitat for Humanity with U.S. President Jimmy Carter and providing a rest trailer for first responders at Ground Zero in Manhattan. The late Past Director Grossman was a featured speaker at many conventions and clubs and mentored countless Lions throughout the country. In recognition of his service to the association, he received numerous awards, including the Harold P. Nutter Distinguished Service Award and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. He was also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. In addition to his Lion activities, Past Director Grossman enjoyed a successful career as a director of vocational education. He was an Eagle Scout and was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America with the Silver Beaver Award. PID Grossman and his late wife were members of Temple Beth Ahm in Springfield.

Past International Director Kenneth Persson (2012-2014) died on Nov. 1, 2022 after a long battle with cancer. A Lion since 1986, the late Past Director Persson was a member of the Sweden "Be the Change” Lions Club. He held many offices within the association, including GMT coordinator and area leader, multiple district LCIF chairperson, and multiple district Leo chairperson. In recognition of his dedication and service to the association, he received numerous awards including a 25-, 30- and 35-Year Monarch Chevron, nine International President’s Awards and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. He was also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. PID Persson was extremely proud of his daughters and efforts to support Dr. Denis Mukwege and the Hospital Panzi in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Over the years, his association and friendship grew with Dr. Mukwege who became the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize and the Lions Humanitarian Award winner. The past director enjoyed a successful career holding different management positions with several international transport corporations. He also managed his own firm within corporate education.  In June, Past Director Persson was well enough to attend the MD 105 Convention in Falun and posted how happy he was to be with the Lions. He wrote about his struggles with cancer in his blog, and at the oncology ward the staff fondly called him Mr. Sunshine because he spent his time spreading cheer to others who were having a difficult time.

Gilles M. Melançon, Past International Director (1997-1999) died on October 21, 2022, after a recent decline in health. The late Past Director Melançon became a member of the Repentigny (La Seigneurie) Lions Club in 1964 and held many offices within the association, including district governor and council chairperson. In 1996, he was the senior vice president for the international convention held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was also the Quebec representative for the Lions Club Pan-Canadian Walkathon and served as a GAT area leader several times. In recognition of his service to the association, the late Past Director Melançon received numerous awards, including an International President’s Leadership Award, a 30-, 50- and 55-Year Monarch Chevron, and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a member by the association. He was also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and a Life Member, with 35 years of perfect attendance. The late Past Director Melancon had a great interest in the history of Lions in Canada. He served as the historian in his home Multiple District “U” (Quebec) and published a history of our association’s growth in that province since the first club was founded in Montreal. He honored the Canadian Lions Centennial in 2020 by completing a history of Canadian Lions and their contribution to the social fabric of the nation since the first club came into being in what is now Windsor, Ontario in 1920—a legacy for his Lion friends and colleagues: History-of-Lionism-in-Canada. He gave generously of his gifts and talents. In addition to his Lion activities, the late Past Director Melançon was a member of the Repentigny Chamber of Commerce and served his church as warden and parish secretary. He was also the founding president of minor league baseball and co-chairman of the Pioneers of Telephone welfare committee. The late Past Director Melançon enjoyed a successful career in labor relations with the Bell Telephone Company of Canada.

Curtis L. Orr, Past International Director (1986-1988), died on October 6, 2022, at the age of 95. A Lion since October 1, 1960, and member of the Beaverville Lions Club, then Bradley Lions Club, the late past director served the association on several levels, including as club president, district governor, and president of the Lions of Illinois Foundation from 1980 to 1982. In honor of his service, he received the 100% District Governor Award, seven International President's Awards, and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor granted to a member by the association. He was also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. The late past director worked the family farm as a teenager and served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and during the Korean War. He also participated in the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. His leadership skills enabled him to be successful as the owner/operator of the Papineau Grain Company from 1966 to 1990, and he managed the Beaverville Grain and Lumber Company. He was a former member of the Iroquois County Board and was a township supervisor for more than 25 years. The late past director also served on the board of Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, Illinois for 12 years. He encouraged many to succeed through his example of hard work and steadfast commitment. Orr was a member of Donovan Church of Christ, and with his late spouse, Donna, raised a family that filled them both with pride and joy. He enjoyed family gatherings and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He was a loyal fan of the Fighting Illini and as a die-hard Cubs fan was thrilled to see them win the World Series in 2016.

Past International Director Homer E. Hill (1989-1991) passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at the age of 92.

The late Past Director Hill was an active member of Lions Clubs International for 70 years. He joined as a member of the Genoa Lions Club in 1952, then became a charter member of the Woodlin Lions Club starting in 1961. He served the association as club secretary and president, zone chairman, council chairman, district governor, district honorary committee chairperson and multiple district international relations chairperson. He was recognized for having perfect attendance for 44 years. During his time as international director, he and his now late spouse Alice traveled to several countries including Sweden, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada and several states in the U.S. They were excited to count the miles and flew 101,000 miles to meetings in two years. The late past director also served on the Rocky Mountain Eye Bank and the Colorado Lions Foundation Board of Directors.

For his dedication to the association, he was recognized with the 100% District Governor Award, a Membership Advancement Key Award, two Extension Awards, Builder Award, two Certificate of Appreciation, the 55-, 60- and 65-Year Monarch Chevron, several Contributing Membership Bronze awards and four International President's Awards. He also received the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor granted by the association to its members. In addition, he was a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

A farmer and rancher, the late Past Director Hill knew the benefit of taking care of crops, animals and people. His example of dedication and hard work inspired many. He belonged to several livestock associations and was a long-time member of the Washington Community Cattlemen’s Association in which he served as president for two years. A man of endless energy, he held positions on the local and state boards of education, including as a board member of the Woodlin School District. He also served for 15 years as chairman of his church board.

Carlos A. Valencia, Past International Director (2011-2013), has died. A member of the Barcelona Lions Club since 2010 and a Lion since 1980, the late Past Director Valencia held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor, multiple times as a district GLT coordinator, LCIF area leader and Guiding Lion. In recognition of his service to the association, he received numerous awards, including several International President Certificates of Appreciation, the 25- and 40-year Monarch Chevron, the Silver, Gold and Diamond Centennial Lion, and 12 International President Awards. He was also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. In addition to his Lions activities, the late Past Director Valencia was active in numerous professional and community organizations. He was an honorary member of the Foundation of Friends of Children Suffering Cancer and a member of the Special Olympics Foundation of Venezuela. He was the recipient of the Order of Good Citizens from the mayor of the city of Caracas, and received various other recognitions awarded by government authorities for his community service. He will be remembered as a successful businessman, caring for his family and friends, and a Lion who freely gave his time and talents to many.

Beverly Stebbins, Past International Director, died on May 6, 2022. She was 81 years old.

A Lion since 1992, the late Past Director Stebbins was extremely active, holding multiple offices including Club Membership Chairperson, Club Treasurer, District Centennial Coordinator, District International Relations Chairperson, District International Understanding & Cooperation Chairperson, Cabinet Secretary, Multiple District International Relations Chairperson, Multiple District Protocol Chairperson and Multiple District International Relations Chairperson. She also served as a presenter at the Texas Lions Leadership Forum and as a moderator at the USA/Canada Forum.

For her enthusiasm and dedication to the association, the late Past Director was honored with several Contributing Membership Bronze awards, Membership Advancement Key, Silver and Gold Contributing Member Pins, several Leadership awards, several Presidential awards, the Life Membership Award, the Extension Award, the 20-, 25- and 30-Year Monarch Chevron, and the Ambassador of Good Will, the highest award given to its members. She was also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

In addition to her Lions career, the late Past Director enjoyed a successful career teaching world history classes at the high school level for 33 years. She truly appreciated that, later in life, she was able to travel the world and experience many of the sites and experiences and relate to the things she taught about for so many years.