Kankakee in Kankakee County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Harold and Jean Miner

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2021

1. Harold and Jean Miner Marker

Inscription.
The Miner Charitable Foundation was established by Harold and Jean Miner, lifelong farmers who lived in rural Watseka in Iroquois County. The Miners were involved in all facets of farming along with being dedicated community supporters who volunteered in agriculture, music and their church.

Harold served six different Secretaries of Agriculture as a member of the U.S. Department of Agricultural Feed Grain Advisory Committee from 1974 to 1991: Earl L. Butz, John A. Knebel, Robert S. Bergland, John R. Block, Richard E. Lyng and Clayton K. Yeuter. He also was on an advisory committee for U.S. Trade Representatives Clayton Yeutter and Carla Hills. Harold was 88 years old when he died in 2007.

Jean, an accomplished musician, was part of a professional singing trio alongside her two sisters. Jean shared her talent as organist at their church for more than 30 years. She also played organ at the Iroquois County Fair during the Draft Horse Shows. The shows were among the largest in Illinois and a popular attraction in front of the main grandstands. Jean died in 2009, at age 90.

The Miner Charitable Foundation carries on the wishes

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of Harold and Jean through charitable gifts and college scholarships. The Scholarships are for Iroquois County High School graduates, and many of the recipients study in areas such as agriculture, library science, music, public safety, and teaching where the Miners had their strongest interests.

Members of the Miner Foundation Board of Directors are Mike Miner, Charles Hopkins and Darrin Fischer. The Foundation advisors are Joseph Planera, George Cuonzo and Don Granzow.

A grateful recipient of the Miner Charitable Foundation’s monetary donation, City of Kankakee is proud to name its Festival Park in honor of Harold and Jean Miner.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education.

Location. 41° 7.199′ N, 87° 51.927′ W. Marker is in Kankakee, Illinois, in Kankakee County. It can be reached from East Merchant Street just east of South Schuyler Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is near the east side of Hill Stage, at the north end of Festival Park. Touch for map. Marker

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2021

2. Harold and Jean Miner Marker

Looking north from Festival Park. The East Court Street parking structure is behind the marker.

is at or near this postal address: 199 South East Avenue, Kankakee IL 60901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Samuel Shapiro (approx. ¼ mile away); George Ryan (approx. ¼ mile away); Lennington Small (approx. ¼ mile away); Kankakee County Civil War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial Flag (approx. ¼ mile away); Gettysburg Address (approx. ¼ mile away); Memorial Day Order (approx. ¼ mile away); Kankakee County Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kankakee.

Also see . . . Harold Eugene Miner (1919-2007) (Find A Grave).

(Body Cemetery, Woodland, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA) Excerpt:
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2021

3. Hill Stage Marker
The Hill Stage was made possible by generous contributions from the following businesses and individuals as a way to enhance and expand the Performing Arts in our historic downtown.
Harold and Jean Miner Charitable Foundation • Peddinghaus • Ralph Rorem, Architect • Kankakee School District III • American Experience Class of 2016 • Kliest & Cyrier Painting Company • Kankakee Development Corporation • City of Kankakee
Mr. Miner was a third generation resident of the area and a life-long farmer. Among his farm properties, he counts two centennial farms as recognized by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Harold was still active until his recent illness in his farm operations. He owned and operated, with his son Mike, their land and other agricultural related businesses.

(Submitted on June 21, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2021

4. Hill Stage

Located a few meters west of the markers.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.