Jack Owens and his family from Charleston, built WEIC and put it on the air on December 12, 1954.  Owens took a settlement from being injured working on the railroad, and built WEIC.

The station was built in a former tavern on what used to be Illinois Route 16 on Charleston's west side.

 

Norman Strader was one of the first announcers and the engineer for WEIC in the 1950's.

 

 

Louise Lynch Taylor was news director for WEIC 3 different times in the 50's and 60's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We received this very special e-mail from Jacqueline Owens, one of the daughters of founding station owner Jack Owens, about her years working at WEIC.  She also encourages her friends in Charleston and Illinois to drop her an e-mail.  Her e-mail address is: 

 

576jackieo@gmail.com

 

I am one of the 2 daughters of jack and betty owens of WEIC Charleston il. My sister and I were on the air from 1955-1961 right until our station sold in 1961. 

I wanted to let you know that I just FOUND THIS historically significant information on your radio station. I so appreciate that you included my dad and mom for building the station from the start. My father was a visionary, to say the least!  It was definitely a regional favorite during those days when my parents added to its popularity due to our parents having the vision of seeing their daughters presenting the rock and roll music of the 50's; and also hiring Louise Taylor to present her daily local news. All ears were on her program in the early morning Mon. thru Fri. every week. A popular woman about town, to say the least as she had quite an outgoing personality to go  along with her newsy news!

I have lived in North Carolina now for 22 years and I have toted my 50's/ WEIC memorabilia since 1954 and am in the process of trying to sell my various items at this time (eBay user id: elvisiswazwillbe ). Due to age and health reasons,  and the need for purchasing a property in Asheville, NC (which has a top rated hospital in NC) is why I have to do this.  Plus, it's time.
Where I currently live does not have state-of-the-art hospitals, I'm sorry to say. 

I had several fortunate good things happen to me during the 70's which will forever follow me until my death. My favorite singer and personality was, is and forever will be is Elvis Presley. I met Elvis and saw him a number of times both in Las Vegas and Atlanta, GA. Some of my unique collection not only includes regular memorabilia, but also empemera which includes an autograph which says, "To Jackie, your poem was very beautiful!" Love, Elvis Presley.... I have enough to write a book. Fun times that have lasted me a lifetime. 

I miss those days of being a dj while my high school peers requested songs and listened to my program, as well as teens from Taylorville, Marshall, Vincennes, Green-up, Mattoon, and many more towns in our region. Sister Sheila was on the air from 1955 to Spring of 1958 (I subbed for her when she was out of the studio), then dad put me on the air when she became engaged  in Spring of 1958. I was on the air until we sold WEIC in summer of 1961.

Again, many thanks for all the info you posted and that WEIC was the start of it all. 

 

--Jacqueline

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:  THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH, Jackie, for your kind e-mail and for allowing us to share it with our readers!

 

DEATH OF JILL SWINGLER, DAUGHTER OF FOUNDING OWNER JACK OWENS

Posted October 3, 2022

 

 

Word has been received of the death of Jill Swingler, a daughter of WEIC founding station owner Jack Owens.  She passed away on May 1, 2022 in Carefree, Arizona.  HERE is a link to her obituary that includes information about her involvement in WEIC.  She was 69 years old.

 

 

Posted August 5, 2023

 

Jackie Joines, former Director of Development at Lake Land College, shared this information with us about the death of former WEIC general manager William "Rusty" Russell:

 

William Russell Obituary
William Faulkner Russell

Oct. 6, 1924 - July 19, 2023

BRADENTON, Florida - William Faulkner "Rusty" Russell, formerly of Charleston, died July 19, 2023, in Bradenton, FL, at the age of 98.

Rusty was born in Louisville, KY, on October 6, 1924, to Judge and Mrs. S.M. (Jean) Russell. He attended Louisville Rugby School, graduating Valedictorian of his class. He studied engineering at Vanderbilt University and joined Beta Theta Pi, before he joined the U.S, Navy Seabees and the 107th Battalion.

After returning to civilian life, Rusty finished his education at the University of Kentucky, becoming a lifelong Big Blue fan and meeting his future wife, Casey Goman. Year 1970, brought the family to Charleston, IL, becoming part of the ownership team of WEIC radio. Rusty was instrumental in helping many young announcers get noticed as they used WEIC as a start to their broadcasting careers.

Rusty devoted his life to his family, his country, and his community. He was proud of his volunteerism and the many community organizations he belonged to, no matter where they were living.

Military Honors and Interment were held at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

Rusty is survived by son, William "Tuck" Russell (Elaine) of Orange City, FL; Catherine "Cathy" DeMartino (Joe) of Pensacola, FL; granddaughters: Rachel Jones (Pete) of Chicago, IL, and Sarah Polich of Indianapolis, IN; great-grandchildren: Louise Catherine and Harry Michael of Chicago; as well as number of nieces and nephews. Catherine (Casey) Russell, and son, Robert "Rob" predeceased him, both suffering from Alzheimer's.

Condolences for the family may be made online at www.shannonfuneral homes.com.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you contribute to Tidewell Hospice, Alzheimer's Association, or The First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton.