'We're Getting it Done' -- Plainfield Group Moves Forward with Plans to Relocate Tribute Memorial

After more than two decades, Plainfield’s Tribute Memorial will get a new home, just in time for Memorial Day.

The monument, which until recently had its home at Plainfield Central High School, pays tribute to American servicemen and women killed during peacetime, but is inspired by two Plainfield men who lost their lives serving their country.

Plainfield High School graduate and Army Chief Warrant Officer Jeffrey Schwab was piloting a helicopter during peacetime military maneuvers in Honduras when it was forced down by gunfire near the Nicaraguan border on Jan. 11, 1984. He was killed shortly after landing the aircraft.

Less than a year later, another PHS graduate, Air Force Capt. Kevin Kelleher, was killed in a crash during maneuvers in Texas.

Now, Helen Schwab said the community has come together to help relocate the memorial, which was modeled after her son.

• Group Seeks to Relocate Tribute Memorial to Settlers’ Park

Last summer, Helen, joined by Plainfield residents Carolyn Dement and Linda Hanley, got the blessings of the village and Plainfield School District to relocate the memorial.

The fiberglass monument will be moved to Settlers’ Park, which is also home to the Soldiers’ Monument. Plainfield’s War Memorial, currently located on Route 59, is also slated to be moved to the location. Settlers’ Park the site of the village’s Memorial Day commemoration, as well as the annual Wounded Warrior 5K.

“We’re getting it done,” thanks to donations from community members and local businesses, Helen Schwab said.

Sculptor Guy Bellaver is completing repairs to the memorial, which was damaged in the Aug. 28, 1990 tornado, along with creating a cement base for the structure.

“He has a big job to do,” Helen said, “but he promised us that he will have it done for Memorial Day.”

Helen said she’s overwhelmed by the generosity of the community, including Jeff’s childhood friend, Joliet businessman Terry D’Arcy, who made a large donation to get the ball rolling, she said.

“People are so wonderful,” she said.

VIllage planner Michael Garrigan said public works crew members moved the memorial from Plainfield Central to Bellaver’s St. Charles studio last fall.

Helen said the move happened with the help of Todd’s Body Shop of Plainfield, which donated the use of a flatbed truck and driver.

Though it’s been 30 years since losing her son, Helen said he has not been forgotten.

“We honor Jeff every day,” she said. “I don’t care how many years go by, you never forget.”

Jeff, the son of Helen and the late Robert Schwab, also left behind wife Karen and sons Jason, who was just 6 months old when his father died, and Brandon, who was 2.

“Jeff is looking down being pretty proud of his boys,” Helen said.

Donations are still being accepted to subsidize the cost of moving the Tribute Memorial, along with funding landscaping improvements for the site, such as brick pavers and a bench.

Garrigan said the village has agreed to be a “gatekeeper” of sorts in setting up a fund for donations.

Anyone who would like to help with the effort can make donations to the Village of Plainfield, with a note that the money is to go to the Tribute Memorial Fund.

Donations can be dropped off or mailed to Village Hall, 24401 W. Lockport St.; Plainfield, IL 60544.

Read more about the tribute committee’s efforts to build the Tribute Memorial back in 1988.