Monee native son and former mayor led the village’s annual Fall Fest parade on Saturday.
Larry Kochel, owner of Wes Kochel Inc., was named Grand Marshall during the village board meeting on September 9.
Kochel’s towing and recovery business is well-known and family owned. It was founded in 1959 and is the village’s oldest running company.
A lifelong resident of Monee, he served eight years as mayor, was on the planning and zoning commission for eight years during former Mayor Dick Wille’s tenure, and coached youth baseball for eight years.
A 40-plus year member of the Monee Fire Protection District Board of Trustees and its current president, Kochel is also a proud Vietnam veteran.
The announcement of his selection as Grand Marshall met with a standing ovation from the board of trustees.
“I’ve been in this town for a long time,” he said, “and I think everybody with the village needs a big pat on the back,” he said, “from the trustees, fire, police, maintenance…they’ve all done just an outstanding job, as far as I’m concerned. And anybody who doesn’t think so can come and argue with me.”
A man of few words, Kochel also praised the village’s cleanup efforts after recent storms.
“I appreciated all the work that got done. I didn’t have much (damage) at my home, but I had part of the roof blown off at my business.
“So, thanks again. And I’m really proud of all the things that happened, and of course, nobody got hurt that I know of.
“So, thank you. Appreciate it.”