Hometown Heritage in Perry honored a prominent figure in the community with an annual celebration at Hotel Pattee on Thursday.

Hometown Heritage President Bill Clark led the Wall of Witnesses Ceremony, where the organization paid homage to Glenn Theulen, who was the 30th recipient to receive a ceramic relief in Soumas Court. According to Clark, Theulen was a lifelong advocate for Perry, as he served as mayor for two terms, arranged the design and construction of the Veterans Memorial Park, while also acquiring the Milwaukee Railroad Caboose.

Tom Lipovac nominated Theulen, and spoke about his accomplishments as a Hall of Fame athlete, coach, and educator, then also mentioned how he served in World War II and the Korean War. Mike Theulen, son of Glenn, emphasized that the Perry community was instrumental throughout his lifetime.

“He may have left Perry, but Perry never left him. This town meant the world to him and he could not give back enough to you. I really believe that’s what this love story was all about. This town raised him, he was proud of this town, he loved this town and this is where he wanted to be. I’m proud to be his son, to thank you on behalf of him. This honor is not about him, it’s about you and your affect on him.”

Clark said that the ceramic relief was completed by Artist Rick Stewart, out of Newton, who is responsible for creating most of the sculptures. Glenn was born in 1925 and died in 2013. His ceramic relief is now displayed with 29 other individuals in Soumas Court behind Hotel Pattee.