of Te Bank of Steele, Bank Star of the BootHeel and now Te Bank of Missouri.


Melba was married to the late James Guthrie for 31 years, and they had three sons. She is the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren.


Ted Hamilton Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending


 Troughout his banking career, Ted Hamilton has established thousands of friendships and has been able to help those friends construct homes and buildings to aid in their success. Ted has served on several community boards over the years, including Make A Wish


Foundation and the associates council for the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield. His greatest opportunity, however, is working for OakStar Bank. Ted loves how the bank cares about its customers and team members the most.


A U.S. Navy veteran, Ted served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was stationed aboard the USS New Port News Command Ship for the northern boundary line. He saw missiles heading to Cuba to be used against the United States.


Ted has been blessed with a wonderful wife, Kim, and a loving family. Tey have one daughter and two sons, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.


Linda Weiskopf Vice President


Sullivan Bank Te name on the building may have changed since Linda Weiskopf started her banking career in Sullivan, but she has been a constant presence in the bank and community for the last 50 years. Linda joined Bank of Sullivan, now Sullivan Bank, as a teller in May


1970. She quickly rose to supervisor and was named manager of the bank’s first drive-thru only location in 1972.


As the Sullivan I-44 location grew, Linda moved to that facility in 1997 to serve as the teller supervisor. Te bank’s board of directors named Linda an assistant vice president in 1993 and promoted her to vice president in 2016. Near the end of 2017, Linda shiſted her focus at the bank. Today, her attention is on the bank’s Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering programs, and she has no plans to retire soon.


Linda and her husband, Dave, reside in Sullivan.


Gerard L. Saracini  1900-1988


Gerard Saracini began his life’s work with the Bank of Poplar Bluff in September 1917. A graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, he was a messenger boy and part-time stenographer for the bank, earning $30 a month. He learned about the banking industry under three bank presidents and was named the bank’s fiſth president in 1953. He retired from active participation in the daily operations of the bank in January 1972 aſter 55 years of service to the bank, its customers and community. He served as board chairman until 1987.


Gerard was well-known in southeast Missouri through his 70- year affiliation with the Bank of Poplar Bluff. In 1976, the city of Poplar Bluff was chosen as a “Bicentennial City,” and Gerard was chosen the first “Man of the Year” by the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce. He was an active Kiwanian for many years, a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, one of five founders of Westwood Hills Country Club and a lifelong parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Gerard was an admired role model and was a key inspiration in many people’s lives.


THE MISSOURI BANKER 27


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