Sussex-Lisbon Area

 Historical Society, Inc.

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History: Local: Community Organizations

Lannon Lions Club

Unofficial Site 

History of Lions

1965 - the Lannon Lions Club is formed. Election of officers is held on July 1st of each year.

1960's: late - the Lannon Lions Club start the grade school flag football program.

1970/Feb - The Lannon and Sussex Lions Clubs have scheduled a money raising grudge basketball game between themselves to raise money for the Hamilton prom party. Tickets cost 50 cents.

        /Mar. - The Lannon Lionettes were beaten by the Sussex Lionettes, 17-10, in a benefit basketball game.

1984 - April 16, the Club held an 18th anniversary party at the Lannon Village Hall. At that time, the Club had 43 members. A special guest was Sussex Lion Wilmer Marx, who was president of the Sussex Lions in 1965 when the Sussex club sponsored the formation of the Lannon contingent. Thirteen of the 18 past Lions Club presidents attended the party. It was noted that the two Clubs have participated jointly in many activities, and now Lannon Lions Club have a roast beef stand at the annual Lions Daze (and it's rumored they also bring their ability to make it rain at the festival).

1990 - Silver Anniversary of Club's founding. Held their anniversary on May 6. Dick Pankratz was the only Charter Member left from the original founding group in 1965. Fritz Miller had 23 years in, while Bob Sieloff and Wayne Tyree had 22 years each. In the 25 years, the Club has donated over $150,000 to various charities and activities.

            For fund raisers there has been Halloween candy sales, light bulb sales, a pig raffle in 1971, pancake breakfasts, Lannon Quarry Days, spaghetti dinners, mud wrestling, flea markets, and a sandwich tent at the Sussex Lion Daze weekend.

            Money raised had gone for Easter egg hunts, ballpark improvements and shelter, college scholarships, glasses for the needy, basketball programs, Christmas baskets for the needy, scouting support, and aid to the hearing impaired.

1993/7/6 - Wayne Tyree of Sussex was named a Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions Clubs International Foundation in recognition of his commitment to serving the community. Member of the Lannon Lions Club, District 27A2. Received a plaque and a lapel pin acknowledging his dedication to the foundation's humanitarian goals. The Melvin Jones Fellow is the highest award given a Lion member.

1994/2/11 - Lannon Lions Club serves "roadkill" for annual venison dinner.

94/7/12 - Robert J. Seiloff was named a Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions Clubs International Foundation in recognition of his commitment to serving the community. Member of the Lannon Lions Club, District 27A2. Received a plaque and a lapel pin acknowledging his dedication to the foundation's humanitarian goals. Seiloff joined the Lions Club in Peshtigo in 1965 then transferred to Lannon's Club when he came here to found the F&M Bank in 1968. (Originally the Bank was rental quartered at the old J.J. Flanagan/Miller Food Store on the corner of Main St. and Lannon Rd.). He is married to Yvonne for 46 years and has 1 child and 2 grandchildren.

Lannon Lions Club Officers

Reference Sources:  "Lannon History: Village of Lannon - Golden Jubilee 1930-1980" edited by Fred Keller; "Yesteryear in Sussex", by Fred Keller; "Yesteryear in Sussex: Revisited", by Fred Keller; "The First 150 Years: Lisbon-Sussex, Waukesha, County, Wisconsin", compiled and edited primarily by Fred Keller; "Sussex Lions Club, 27-A2, Sussex, WIS., U.S.A., 50 Years: 1939-1989", compiled and edited by Fred Keller; "Sussex Fire Department 60th Anniversary Book";