04/18/2025
The theme for this year's parade will be "THROUGH THE GENERATIONS", emphasizing family legacies in business, trades, and traditions. The parade will be held on July 12th @ 12:30pm. We are happy to announce this year's Grand Marshal will be Jake Rettberg!! Jake's family wrote up a brief synopsis of his life and shows why he is deserving to be this year's Grand Marshal.
Ernest Jacob (Jake) Rettberg was born February 27, 1955, to Ernest H and Betty Rettberg. Jake, along with sister Lisa and brothers Dirk, Lance and Bart all attended Divernon Grade School and High School and were members of the Divernon Presbyterian Church.
Jake was an exceptional athlete in high school, earning varsity letters in six sports: baseball, golf, track, basketball, wrestling and football. He was a member of the 1972 undefeated Divernon Dragons football team.
Jake is a proud member of the Divernon High School class of 1973.
While attending Eastern Illinois University, Jake interned with the Illinois Natural History Survey at Lake Sanchris State Park. After graduating with a BS Degree in Environmental Biology in 1977, Jake stayed on with that agency studying fish populations and migrations for a brief time before returning to Divernon.
In the Fall of 1977, Jake joined his dad and brother Dirk, working full time at the Rettberg family business. In 1978, he married Debbie Hohenstein who also joined the business, along with her mother, Connie Bowman, better known as GRAM.
When his dad passed in 1983, Jake moved into the family home in Divernon. There, his three children Cori, Jarad and Amber were raised and excelled in both athletics and academics. Jake still lives in the family home today.
Jake’s parents instilled in their children the importance of a strong work ethic and support for the community. Jake and brother Dirk had a newspaper route while growing up as well as pitching in and helping their dad. From Cub Scouts, then Boy Scouts in his youth, to sports boosters and athletic associations as a young adult, Jake has always been involved in the Divernon community. He coached youth soccer, basketball and baseball teams and organized open gym tournaments.
In 2005, Jake took over full ownership of the family business, where he employs seven people. Rettberg’s is still a Trane (HVAC) dealer, plumbing and electrical contractor, and Generac auto home generator dealer.
Jake accepted the role as Divernon’s representative on the Otter Lake Water Commission Board in 2000. He has chaired that board for 20 years. Jake has also served, as an elected official, on the Divernon Township Library board for more than 20 years. He has been a member of the local Brush Creek Cemetery board for more than 30 years, is a lifetime member of the Divernon Sportsman’s Club, and a supporter of the Divernon American Legion.
Jake is blessed with five very dear grandchildren: Landon, Decker, Quinn, Mila, and baby Fiona.
Although he admits to being a workaholic like his dad, when not working, he enjoys golf, shooting pool, tennis, and spending time with his beautiful companion of 9 years, Debbie Young, camping, bicycling, hiking, boating, snow skiing and attending live music shows. As lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fans, they attend a lot of Cardinal games. They enjoy quality time with their children and grandchildren who live in the Edwardsville and Greater St. Louis region. They also enjoy spending time with the Young family, especially Debbie’s parents, Eddie and Judy Young.
“Growing up in a small town was the best choice that my parents made,” said Jake. “Although I have been driven by my dad’s legacy, I have my own. I will never regret my decision to continue what Mom and Dad started. We have hundreds of loyal customers, many of whom I consider lifelong friends. Although I am in a semi-retirement mode now, as long as my name is on the building, I will not fully retire.”
“It’s hard to believe that I am the last Rettberg in town,” he said. “Growing up, there were at least ten Rettberg families. I can only hope that when I am gone, people get the same quality, reliable, fair, and affordable service that Rettberg’s has offered for the last 77 years.”
Jake would like to send out an open invitation to all Coaches, Players, and Cheerleaders from the Undefeated 1972 Divernon Dragon Football Team to join him in the parade.
If you are interested in joining Jake and his family in the parade please message this page or contact the Divernon Village Hall @ 217-628-3416. Lineup will be at 12pm on the corner of 1st and Madison with the parade starting at 12:30pm.
