The best part of me: Happy ending for City of Du Quoin staff member

A wedding reception was held Saturday night at the American Legion in Du Quoin hosted by recently married Van Wathen of Carrier Mills, an employee of Southeastern Illinois College, and his wife Jenylle Showalter Wathen, a longtime employee of the administrative office at the City of Du Quoin.

The theme of the evening was "You're the Best Part of Me," a song by Neil Diamond. This is one of the verses.

"You are the best part of me

The best that I am or ever will be

You're the part that allows me

To open my heart

And let love inside

I want you to know

What I've always known

You're the best part of me"

And, it clearly set the tone for the reception.

Jenylle was married to the late Gary Showalter, a great Du Quoin broadcaster and newsman, who died much too early from the unforgiving disease ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease.

His passing left behind one of the city's finest women and, for years, it has been the hope of this community she would again find happiness.

Van and Jenylle have been together for some time and they were married on Sept. 15.

More than 150 attended Saturday's reception, an evening of great food, music and friendships.

What they stand for mirrors the very best in all of us. Congratulations and thank you for a very nice evening.