The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


Ron Peterson, President, First State

Bank Of Illinois Retirement Open House

First State Bank of Illinois is announcing the retirement of its President Ron Peterson.

Ron will be retiring on Thursday, September 30th, 2010 after 42 years of serving First State's customers' banking needs. To honor his retirement, an open house will be held at the La Harpe branch of First State on Sept. 30th between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Please join us in wishing Ron well in his retirement.

Ron started his banking career in La Harpe in 1968 as an Agricultural Loan Officer after graduating from Western Illinois University. He has been President of First State since 1980 and was instrumental in forming the holding company, Lamoine Bancorp., Inc. in 1988. The bank has grown to serve communities including La Harpe, Blandinsville, Carthage, Colusa, Macomb, Hamilton, Monmouth, Peoria and Wheaton.

He serves on the Board of Directors of First State Bank and on the Board of Directors of its parent company First State Bancorporation, Inc.

Ron is also a member of the Board of Directors of Quad City Bank and Trust and also their parent company QCR Holdings.

Ron has experienced and enjoyed many accomplishments and highlights during his career. He was a long time member of the Illinois Bankers Association board of Directors and in 2005; he was named "Illinois Banker of the Year".

Ron is past president of the Western Illinois University Foundation and continues to serve of the Executive Committee.

He was also named as "Outstanding Alumni" by WIU. Ron serves as Co-chairman of the McDonough District Hospital Development Council and is a member of the hospital's "Golden Apple Society". He is President Elect and serves on the board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Macomb. Ron also is a Rotary "Paul Harris Fellow". He is President and serves of the Board of Directors of the La Harpe Educational Foundation. He has served on many other boards and committees with a focus on banking and community service.

Ron resides in rural La Harpe with his wife Gayle. They have 3 daughters and 8 grandchildren:

Rhonda (Bruce) Leahy, Erin, Olivia and Nate who reside in North Carolina;

Leahann (Trenton) Borth, Lance and Ryan who live in Oglesby;

Mary (Bryon) Borth, Molly, Shane and Peter, who make their home in Bloomington.