AURORA—The Knights of Columbus Marquette Assembly 188 hosted a Fourth Degree Exemplification for the Northern Illinois District Knights of Columbus at Aurora Central Catholic High School on Oct. 19. 

 

The Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus is dedicated to fostering the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to God, flag, and country.

 

The class honoree was Dale Anderson, and Father William Etheredge was the candidate of the day.

 

Anderson joined the Oswego Knights of Columbus Council 7247 in 1991. He immediately became an invaluable member, always pitching in to get the job done, helping with the Christmas toy drive, serving on the degree team, installation dinners, or whatever the council needed. 

 

Many of his brother Knights called Anderson the “backbone” of the council.

 

In 1995, Anderson joined the Marquette Assembly 188 and brought the same zeal for service to the assembly. He still attends almost every meeting. 

 

He served as Inner Sentinel for almost 10 years, as a District Warden for six years, and  in the honor guards until he was 89 years old.

 

A convert to Catholicism, he was married to his wife Sylvia for 66 years until her death in 2016. They raised seven children. 

 

He also served as International Warden for Moose Heart International and is a lifelong member.

 

Now 93 years old, Anderson still attends his Council 14289 and assembly meetings and serves on the Rockford Chapter Round Table Committee.

 

“Anderson is a shining example of what it means to serve as a Knight of Columbus never looking to be in the spot light but always there,” wrote Ty Simmons.

 

Father F. William Etheredge was honored as the candidate of the day at the Oct. 19 ceremony.

 

Father Etheredge, who is superintendent of Aurora Central Catholic High School, attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C., graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1976 and a master’s degree in 1979. 

 

He also attended Gregorian University in Rome, earning a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology in 1982.

 

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill on June 25, 1983.

 

He served as parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish, DeKalb, 1983 to 1986, then as parochial vicar at St. Bernadette Parish, Rockford, 1986-1987.

 

He was assistant principal and spiritual director at Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford, 1987-2000. He was also the sacramental minister at Rockford College from 1987-1988.

 

He is serving his 20th year as principal at ACC, as well as superintendent of Aurora area Catholic grade schools.

 

He also serves on the Aurora Catholic Education Foundation Board (ACEF), the Pope St. John Paul Catholic Academy Advisory Board and its executive committee. 

 

He serves on the diocesan Pension and Insurance Board as well as the diocesan Presbytery Council.

 

He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Waubonsee Community College in 2009 and was made an Honorary Alumnus of Aurora Central Catholic High School in 2014.

 

Father Etheredge was named Aurora’s “Hometown Hero” in 2008.