Meet The Team

Sharon retired from the Moyer District Library in Gibson City, IL at the end of 2021. She worked as a clerk, children’s and adult program director, and as assistant director 1993-2000. In 2000, she was hired as the Library Director. They then became a district library and Sharon helped with fundraising for a new library and moved the library to its present location.

Working at the library, Sharon learned a lot of history and saw old pictures of Gibson City and the Burwell Opera building with the word “Furniture” on it. She wanted to help restore this building. Sharon talked to Denis Fisher, who eventually would be the Vice-President of the Gibson City Restoration Association. They found other people that had a desire to save the building. They have been raising money since 2019. They have gotten lots of community support and are hoping to make this a place to go for entertainment and a venue to use by the area. 

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Sharon enjoys reading, camping, traveling, cardmaking, and being with family and
friends.

Denis Fisher, Vice President of the Gibson City Restoration Association is a graduate of Illinois State University in Education, with a Masters of Science in educational administration. A retired teacher, who operates a sideline business in residential painting,

Mr. Fisher has been involved in various community organizations including the Gibson Area House Rehab Foundation, City Council, Knights of Columbus, among other charities. Denis has been a resident of Gibson City since the 1970s and has a desire to see the Burwell Building become a vibrant part of the downtown area once again. ​

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Dawn currently works as a Manager in the Information Technology Department at State Farm Insurance, where she has worked for the past 30 years. She also owns and operates her own Event Rental Business as a 'side gig' (along with a lot of assistance from her family).  She graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Business Management. Dawn has two grown children who still live in the area and her daughter, Madison, is also a Board Member of the GC Restoration Association.

Dawn grew up in Central Illinois and has lived in the area all of her life.  She loves 'Small Town America' and decided to join the Gibson City Restoration Association to help save the Burwell Building. She believes the upstairs Opera House is the 'gem' of this building and must be saved and brought back to its former glory!

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Madison is a graduate of Illinois State University with a major in English Literary Studies and a minor in Spanish.  Madison has had several fiction prose pieces published in various literary magazines across the US. 

Currently, she is a Commercial Lines Underwriter at State Farm Insurance. In her free time she helps with the family business, Burlap and Lace Event Décor Rentals, and is the Lead Designer and Website Administrator. She still enjoys writing, and is working on the next great American novel.

She became interested in restoring the Burwell building after hearing it's extensive history and seeing the potential it possesses within it's walls. 

Patrick joined the GCRA board of directors in May of 2024.  He has been a member of our organization for years, but has finally jumped in and volunteered to be a board member.

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Patrick works as a Parts Department Manager at JX Truck Center in Urbana.  Pat lives in Gibson City.

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We are happy to have Pat join the team!

Martha grew up in Gibson City then moved to Saybrook, IL when she was 21. She raised 2 daughters and retired from the IRS after 25 years. She is a former girl scout leader, former President of the Ridgeview Music Boosters and is currently a board member for Cheney's Grove Township Library in Saybrook.

As a child she shopped at the former Loy’s Store, which was housed on the first floor of the Burwell Building. She bought fabrics and patterns for high school home economics projects from this building.

Martha  joined the Gibson City Restoration Association to help save the former Loy’s Store/Burwell Building. It would be a wonderful addition to the downtown area if this building could be restored for use again. She also hopes that area music groups will once again fill the opera house walls with wonderful music!

Terri Ashmore is the newest board member to join our Association.  She grew up in Rantoul, but moved to Gibson City in 1974 due to her husband's job and has been a member of the community ever since!  

Before having several odd jobs, Terri starting working at Gibson Area Hospital and held many different positions while there, including Pharmacy Technician, Secretary of the Medical Surgery Department and an EMT-I on the ambulance service. 

Terri has 2 children, Shelbie and Jay, and 4 grandchildren - 3 boys and 1 girl. 

Terri decided to join the Restoration Association because she has a fascination with old buildings and has always wanted to fix up an old house, but felt she lacked the necessary skills and tools.  Working with the Restoration Association is the next best thing!

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