SIMA Mustang Memorials

Corey was born July 19, 1977 at Alton, IL. He was killed in a collision with a pickup truck on January 22, 2002 while riding his motorcycle home from work. Corey and his brother Terry Geisler joined the SIMA in 1996 and helped judge at the annual SIMA Mustang show and swap meet held at Roberts Ford in Alton, Il. Corey loved working on his several Mustangs, by making modifications to their appearance and enhancing their performance. He especially liked to attend Mustang shows and swap meets.

He was employed as a Seadoo technician at Midwest Motor Sports in Granite City. Corey had a 1993 Cobra, the third Cobra he had owned. His first Mustang was a 1986 GT. His first car was a 55 Ford pickup. Over 35 Mustangs escorted the Funeral procession from the St. Johns United Church of Christ in Brighton to the Memorial Park Cemetery at Staunton.

William Jet Lauck, 1935-2006, joined the SIMA in 1978. He immediately was a conservative voice, always helping to prevent the group from getting too loose with it's resources. Bill and several other members reached into their pockets to keep the SIMA solvent when some early officers ran up debts after the first Mustang show. Bill always worked and organized registration and he and his girls became known as the smiling faces show participants met to register their ponies. Bill and his friend, Gail Allen, distributed SIMA show flyers throughout southern Illinois & the St. Louis area as they attended early area shows. They worked to convince many "all car" shows to include Mustang classes.

Bill was elected SIMA Regional Director in 1981, President in 1982-83, was named an MCA Certified Judge in 1983, SIMA "Member of the year" in 1984, had his beautiful blue 1973 convertible featured in Mustang Monthly magazine in 1986, was again SIMA Regional Director in 1987,88,89 & 1990, led the 1989 "Fall color cruise" to his Museum in Cobden, IL. He displayed his lime gold 1967 Coupe in Roberts Ford showroom at the 1990 SIMA show. Bill Lauck & Gail Allen started A&L Appraisal in 1992, Bill displayed his lime gold 1967 Coupe in Roberts Ford showroom at the 1995 SIMA show. He received the SIMA "Outstanding service award" in 1997. Bill has been a major leader and supporter of SIMA. Bill Lauck was a mechanical genius who used his talents to restore Mustangs, but he was also a people person who understood how to deal with his customers and his many friends.

William Jett Lauck was a good friend to our Mustang family and is greatly missed. It was unanimously agreed to name the 29th annual SIMA show and the "Special Award Trophies" of "Best Paint", Best Engine" and "Long Distance" in his honor.

Terry Allen Yates, 1954-2006. In the SIMA beginning, Terry Yates of Wood River, Illinois had a vision. He placed an ad in the Alton Evening Telegraph of June, 1977. It read, "If you own a 65-73 Mustang and would be interested in joining a club, call 254-XXXX." It was later said "If you build it, they will come"! Well Terry advertised it and they came! Over 350 happy SIMA memberships later and into our 30th year, the Southern Illinois Mustang Association and Terry Yates have carried the Midwest MUSTANG banner.

Terry worked mostly during the last 30 years as a Parts Service Manager at Wood River and Alton Ford Dealerships. He was the "expert" on Ford and Mustang parts and restoration. He owned his own Body Shop in the late 80's. He took a medical retirement from Roberts Ford in Alton, IL in early 2006.

Terry served the SIMA as President, Vice President, Newsletter Editor and Technical Advisor. He restored many Mustangs for himself as well as others. He always had time to talk and give advice on the correct parts or procedures. He did it with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. He was a people person who enjoyed life to the fullest. He touched many lives through his work and through his club. Through his contacts at the "Parts Counter" he invited many of the present and past SIMA members to visit our club meetings, to be a part and share in the fun of our SIMA Mustang World.

Marvin Hilyard joined the SIMA in 1998 and right away placed his beautiful 1968 Lime Gold V-8 Coupe in the Roberts Ford Show Room at our 21st Annual Mustang Round-up Car Show and Swap Meet. Marvin was born on the family farm, North of Bunker Hill, IL on December 16, 1935. He graduated from BHHS in 1954. He served his Country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957. He retired from Olin Corp. at East Alton.

His interests besides Mustangs were his family of cats, Scooter, Kit Kat, Annie, Porky, Sugar, and the two Girls (as he called them). Marvin was a generous and "Real" person. He was private, but at the same time a friendly and warm person. Marvin attended the Springfield, IL Grand National Show this year, and was very proud of the First Place award he received. Marvin passed away on December 15, 2004. 15 Mustang vehicles helped form the procession from the funeral home to the Wood Family Cemetery, Marvin's final resting place.

Marvin received a "Service Award" plaque at the 2003 annual SIMA meeting. Marvin always had a smile and a "good word" for all he came in contact with. Marvin was a good friend to our Mustang family and is greatly missed.