Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce

Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Keith Casteel presented long-time member Stephen Graliker with an honorary lifetime membership at the Chamber's monthly Business Breakfast held at the Decatur Club, Wednesday, September 1, 2010.  Casteel noted the Chamber Board of Directors chose to bestow Mr. Graliker with a lifetime membership "to thank him for all of the wonderful work he performs for the community, and the Chamber of Commerce in particular."
 
Mr. Graliker, a chartered life underwriter, is also a life member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.  He began his association with the Union Central Life Insurance company in 1947 and his insurance office is located in the Decatur Club at 158 West Prairie Avenue.
 
Mr. Graliker graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1942 and volunteered for the "Flying Irish" naval aviation squadron at the outset of World War II. He served on the U.S.S.  Bairoko with Fighting Squadron 38 and at war's end, he enlisted in the Organized Reserve. He became Commanding Officer of VF924 in October 1953.
 
A dedicated volunteer, Mr. Graliker has organized fund drives for St. Mary's Hospital, United Way, St. Teresa High School, Millikin University, and the University of Notre Dame. He serves as Treasurer for Notre Dame's Class of 1942 and was elected to the Notre Dame Alumni Association's Board of Directors in 1998.
 
In 1956, Mr. Graliker helped establish Northtown Bank and Trust. In 1987, as it reached nearly $100 million in assets, the bank was sold to the Magna Group, Inc., which merged with Union Planters and eventually became Regions Bank.
 
Born on Leap Year Day, 1920, Mr. Graliker is 2 years away from celebrating his 23rd birthday. He has achieved two hole-in-ones in his lifetime.