Keding honored for 45 years as a Lion

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion Lions Club President Bill Robinson, left, presented John Keding with an award on Tuesday for his 45 years of service with the Lions Club.

Keding also was recognized by the Lions International for his role as secretary with the Albion club. He has a 100 percent rate in filing monthly “members and activities” reports to International. Keding has served as club secretary for at least 25 years.

Keding is a past president of the local club. The members refer to him as “Mr. Lion.”

“I enjoy the camaraderie with the guys,” said Keding, who has owned Keding’s Automotive in Albion for 40 years. “We do things for the community without getting paid for it.”

The club is preparing for two upcoming fundraisers. It will try to sell 200 dozen of roses for Mother’s Day. It also sells geraniums around Memorial Day. Those fund-raisers help the club give back to the community, including scholarships for graduating Albion seniors.

The club has offered five $500 scholarships annually but will change that this year to three $1,000 scholarships. Members said college has become more expensive and $1,000 will make a bigger impact for the scholarship winners.