Linda Besler says she has always had an investigative nature and her early career training in law enforcement helped her feel prepared to take on the role of DeKalb County Coroner as she seeks to help families bring closure to the death of a loved one.  Besler spoke to Sycamore Rotarians at this week’s meeting describing the job she took over after the November election from long-time County Coroner Dennis Miller who opted not to seek another term.  Besler explained that the County Coroner investigates all sudden, natural, and violent deaths which appear to be accidental, homicide, or suicide to determine their cause and manner.  Her office includes staffing by six deputies and support from a pathologist for performing autopsies when needed.  Besler says the office investigates 650 to 700 cases annually.  Among her duties are issuing death certificates and cremation permits.

 

Besler says she is evaluating office needs, especially as information continues to become more computer based.  Also, as the County grows, her office must respond to an added workload.  She noted that physical space may need upgrading, giving as an example that the County morgue facilities were designed only to accommodate two bodies.  Besler credits a good working relationship with the county’s police and fire departments for helping achieve compassionate care for families during times of crisis involving loss of life.

February 23, 1868 – African American educator and leader W. E. B. DuBois is born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.  He was one of the founders of the NAACP in 1909.

 

February 24, 1885 – Admiral Chester Nimitz is born in Fredericksburg, Texas.  He commanded Allied naval, land and air forces in the South Pacific during World War II and signed the Japanese surrender document on September 2, 1945.

 

February 24, 1846 – American frontiersman “Buffalo Bill” Cody is born in LeClaire, Iowa.  He became world famous through his Wild West show which traveled throughout the U. S. and Europe for 30 years.

 

February 26, 1829 – German born clothing designer Levi Strauss is born in Buttenheim, Bavaria.  He emigrated to the United States and set up shop in San Francisco to serve the Gold Rush trade. In 1871 Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis founded the first company to manufacture blue jeans using rivets to strengthen them.

February 23, 1905 – Chicago attorney Paul Harris invites three other business acquaintances to a meeting at his office for fellowship and service.  They continue to meet weekly and the group expands to eventually become today’s Rotary International.

 

February 24, 1582 – Pope Gregory XIII corrected mistakes on the Julian calendar by dropping ten days.  The Gregorian or “New Style” calendar was then adopted by Catholic countries followed gradually by other nations.

 

February 24, 1867 – The U. S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson following bitter opposition to his post-Civil War reconstruction policies in the South. The effort to remove him from office failed in the Senate by one vote.

 

February 26, 1848 – The “Manifesto of the Communist Party” is published by German philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.