Elder Class of 2023

DR. AARON BERKOWITZ
Aaron is a father of three and a Professor of History at Lincoln Land Community College. He earned his B.A. in Classics and his Ph.D. in History from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is married to Meleah Berkowitz, a nurse at Memorial Medical Center. They have three children, Sadie (5), Juniper (4), and Benjamin (11 months). His interests include church history, ancient history, and table-top gaming.
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MAL HILDEBRAND
Mal is retired from the State of Illinois as their Director of the Office of the Capital Architect.  He is a graduate of SIU in Carbondale with a degree in Graphic Arts.  Mal has two grown sons, Tim and Ryan.  After retirement, he worked on contract with Homeland Security and trained as a project specialist and fraud investigator.  This is the fourth rotation as Elder for Mal.
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ROBYN HOVEY
Robyn is the president/owner of Work Space Solutions, Inc., an office furniture and interior planning company. Robyn received his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration. He has been involved in a variety of community service projects including Boy Scouts and YMCA swimming. He is married to Christie Hovey and they have one son, Will.  Personal interests include: golf, home remodeling, auto restoration, fishing, hiking, and cooking.
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REBECCA HUSTON
Rebecca started public service in 1999 and will celebrate 21 years at the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office as the Director of Invest in Illinois program. Rebecca manages several significant investment programs including Ag Invest, Business Invest and Community Invest. Her most recent program launch was the Business Invest COVID-19 Relief Program, committed to providing loans to small businesses throughout Illinois impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Rebecca grew up in Will County and attended Illinois Central College. Becky resides in Springfield with her husband, Todd and they have three daughters, Gabi (20), and Reese (9), and Harper (9).
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JIM KONTIO
Jim works for the SIU School of Medicine as the InVitro Fertilization Laboratory Coordinator General Supervisor. He received his B.S. at Adrian College with additional graduate work at Michigan State University. He and wife Meganne are parents of Claire Kontio Ham and Collin Kontio. Jim’s passions include singing in Westminster Choir as well as gardening, traveling, cooking, and entertaining.

LYNN McMENAMIN
Lynn grew up in Eureka, Illinois and received her B.S. and M.S. in Elementary Teaching and Reading from University of Illinois in Champaign. She retired in 2012 after 31 years of teaching K-5 reading. Lynn continues to work with children through Compass for Kids and the Butler School garden programs. Lynn is active with the Faith Coalition for the Common Good and the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois. Her husband, Joe, is a private practice attorney and three-term alderman on Springfield City Council. Their two children, Eddie and Carrie grew up at Westminster. 

MARY RAY
Mary was recently recognized as a 50-year member of Westminster. She has served the church in many capacities including Elder, Deacon and mission trip leader. Mary graduated from Illinois College with majors in Spanish and Sociology. She has worked at Illinois Secretary of State for 40 years. She loves Illinois sports and serving with Westminster youth on mission trips.

KRISTA STELLER
Krista is a retired software instructor, having worked at Levi, Ray & Shoup for 21 years. She continues to use that training at Westminster as she currently serves as the church webmaster. Krista plays oboe and gets the opportunity to praise God by playing music with Dale Rogers. She received her B.S. degree in music education from University of Illinois in Champaign. Krista and her husband, Brad raised two daughters in the church, Erin and Lizzie, and are the proud grandparents of Brice and Camille Knoedler and Jackson Schey.