The
following is the text of a presentation given by Brother Dyke Rothenberger at Springhill
Cemetery for the annual Founders’ Day Observance of Olive Branch Lodge 38 on September,
10, 2023. Lloyd began working at an early age, as every young man did during this time. He worked for Leonard F. W. Stuebe’s architectural firm here in Danville as a draughtsman. The firm is known to have designed such places as the Vermilion County Courthouse and the Danville Masonic Temple in Danville. Later, they would also design the old Mattoon Masonic Temple. It was here Lloyd would change his life forever. Worshipful Brother Stuebe would introduce Lloyd to the lifestyle of masonry. Brother Stuebe served as Worshipful Master of Olive Branch Lodge #38 in 1918.
Lloyd would be elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in Olive Branch Lodge #38 on March 19, 1918. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice on March 22nd, passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft on April 9th, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on May 5th, 1918. Later that year Lloyd joined the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Danville’s Victory Class in December. As a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Brother Lockard was very active in the Valley. He was the Valley’s 24th Thrice Potent Master of the Danville Lodge of Perfection and the 20th Sovereign Prince of the Walter A. Stevens Council Princes of Jerusalem. Brother Lockard would also work his way through the chairs at Olive Branch #38 being elected Worshipful Master in 1924.
1924 would also be a momentous year personally for Lloyd as he would marry the love of his life, Madge Tacy Hartman, On June 24th of that year. Lloyd’s passion for masonry would now be shared by his wife Madge. They would both join Eastern Star and become very active members-- each serving as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron of Danville Chapter 854. Madge would pass away in 1985 and never remarried, showing her love and commitment to Lloyd.
In 1930 in Danville, the first steps were taken to start a new organization for young men aged 14 to 21. The organization was called DeMolay. DeMolay is an international fraternal organization that was founded as a club for boys in Kansas City, Missouri in March of 1919 and which was named for Jacques DeMolay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. The Order seeks to instill in young men seven cardinal virtues—FILIAL LOVE or love of family, REVERENCE FOR SACRED THINGS, COURTESY, COMRADESHIP, FIDELITY, CLEANNESS, and PATRIOTISM. By living according to these ideals these young men have the best chance to become the best version of themselves as sons, brothers, friends, and citizens. It was an influential Mason from Kansas City, named Brother Frank Land and 9 young men that started the Order of DeMolay. Within 3 years DeMolay was established as a national organization with Chapters in 39 of the 48 states at the time. Hundreds of Chapters were spouting up all over the United States in the 10 plus years after its humble beginning. Brother Lockard would be instrumental in getting the Danville Chapter started in 1930, serving as a supervisor or “Dad” for the young men. He would be the original Chapter Dad in Danville.
On February 12, 1931, his earthly work was interrupted as Dad and Brother Lloyd Loraine Lockard passed away at Lake View hospital following the amputation of his right leg between the knee and his hip. In honor of Dad Lockard’s work in the creation of the Danville DeMolay Chapter, the boys were asked to attend his funeral as a body.
As evidence of the esteem in which Dad Lockard was held, the Danville Chapter of DeMolay was named L.L. Lockard Chapter when it received its Charter in 1931. L.L. Lockard Chapter of the Order of DeMolay operated under that Charter for over 50 years, finally surrendering it in 1985, the same year the Madge passed away. That might have been the end of Dad Lockard’s legacy, but four years ago in 2019, the Order of DeMolay once again took steps to start a new Chapter of DeMolay in Danville. When the young men involved in that effort learned of Dad Lockard, they chose to honor him again by naming this new Chapter L.L. Lockard Chapter Order of DeMolay.
As we think about the memories of the men we have talked about today, perhaps we might recognize some of the names—Sandusky and Hooton are still recognized locally with streets and neighborhoods named for them or their families. Some of their stories still resonate today—what is a bigger story than historic bravery in the Civil War.
Perhaps Brother Lockard’s legacy isn’t as easy to see, but I would propose that it is right in front of us. Would the DeMolays here today, who welcomed and directed all of you as you arrived here today, please come forward. Dad and Brother Lockard’s legacy is the difference made in the lives of young men for over 50 years. It is the difference made in the lives of these young men here today. Dad and Brother Lockard’s legacy is the FUTURE. It is the FUTURE that will surely be better than it might have been because these young men are learning the values and virtues of the DeMolay—an organization that might not be here today were it not for the life of Lloyd Lorraine Lockard.
