Crossing Guard Honored For 34 Years Of Service In Mokena

MOKENA, IL — Mayor Frank Fleischer and the Mokena Village Board honored long-time crossing guard Phyllis Karpola at the board's Aug. 24 meeting. Karpola has decided to retire after serving as crossing guard for the village for 34 years. A proclamation was given in her honor at Monday's meeting.

According to the proclamation, Karpola has "earned the high regard of her fellow workers, and the love and affection of hundreds of school children who have come to know her as a trusted friend."

Karpola has also served as the Grand Marshal of the Mokena Fourth of July parade and was a recipient of the District 159 Galaxy Award in 2019.

District 159 School Board President Mike Everett also thanked Karpola for her years as a crossing guard.

"I never recalled [Phyllis] ever taking a sick day, in all those years," Everett said.

"It's an awesome service," he said.

Karpola also spoke at the meeting, and thanked everyone for their support.

"This is a happy time for me, but it's also a very sad time for me," Karpola said, adding that it was a hard decision for her. "I'm going to miss my children, I'm going to miss my parents. I have met so many people in Mokena by being a crossing guard."

"I think I knew everybody," she said.

"You've been there for a long time; it's going to be tough not seeing you," Mayor Fleischer said.

"You're a part of the village, you're a big part of the village," he said.

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