Our Story

Our Story...

Fairview Haven Retirement Community has been serving the people in Fairbury and surrounding communities since 1962. History records that the decision to build Fairview Haven was rooted in a desire to care for people according to the Word of God. Today, the mission of Fairview Haven remains unchanged -- to care for people and to provide a home "where choice is valued, growth is encouraged and life abounds," a community where God's blessings can reside.

December 1960

In December of 1960, several brethren from the Fairbury Apostolic Christian Church felt the desire to provide a home for the aged. On the 20th of that month, 33 brothers of that congregation met to discuss this interest. When the majority indicated support of the project, a committee was appointed to further the research. Serving on the committee were John Wiedman, Eli Moser, George Broquard, Alden Nussbaum and Alex Stoller.

January 1961

A second meeting was held January 1, 1961 at the Fairbury church with more than 100 representatives in attendance from the Apostolic Christian Churches of Fairbury, Gridley, Cissna Park and Forrest. The churches from Forrest, Gridley and Cissna Park were asked to combine their efforts with Fairbury in this endeavor. Affirmative answers were received from William Gramm of Gridley, Harry Roth of Forrest, and Solomon Farney of Cissna Park. A rising vote supported the decision to sell debenture bonds to finance the project, estimating the size of the home to be 40 to 50 beds and costing approximately $200,000. “There was a very detailed discussion about the return of the money. The general trend was toward the suggestion to dismiss this thought and give in Christian faith as to the Lord and not with the business end in mind.“

The board of directors was to be comprised of 17 members. Fairbury was to be represented with five members while each of the other three churches would be represented with four members. The elections resulted in the following brothers being chosen: Alden Nussbaum, John Wiedman, Eli Moser, Alex Stoller and George Broquard from Fairbury; Alf Witzig, Emil Schlipf, Albert Grusy, and William Gramm from Gridley; Emil Anliker, Frank Honegger, Harry Roth, and Roy Metz from Forrest; and Fred Knapp, Sol Farney, Joe Waldbeser, and Ernest Bauer from Cissna Park. Frank Honegger was elected chairman, Alden Nussbaum, secretary, and Eli Moser, treasurer. Later in the year the need for a vice president was felt. John Wiedman was elected to fill that position.

Since the home was to be built to provide a full view of the sunrise and sunset, Fairview Haven was selected as the name for the dwelling. The three suggestions were Fairview Rest Home, Fairview Manor, and Fairview Haven.

June 1961

The first official meeting of the Board of Directors of Fairview Haven was held June 13, 1961. The chairman reported that a Certificate of Incorporation had been issued May 22, 1961 and the certificate, along with the Articles of Incorporation, had been filed May 26, 1961. The board also decided at this meeting to issue debentures in the amount of $150,000, said debentures to bear interest at the rate of 4%, and to be called twenty-year debentures, due July 1, 1981.

October 1961

Five acres of land were purchased from C.R. Voris for a total price of $6,500. Construction of the 16,000 square foot, 43 bed facility began in October 1961. Less than a year later, September 4, 1962, John and Anna Hodel of Cissna Park became the first residents of Fairview Haven.

1971-1986

The Home has seen several remodeling stages. An addition in 1971-72 provided an activity room, resident room and hairdressing room. A laundry room and a five-unit apartment complex were added in 1978. During 1981-82, an independent living unit (Fairview Suites) was added to the east side of Fairview Haven. The 1985-86 efforts resulted in the construction of a new activity room, office space, a restroom for the handicapped, and a beauty shop. The old activity room and hairdressing rooms were converted into resident rooms, bringing the present capacity to 54 residents. In 1985, Fairview Haven purchased 3.85 acres of land east of the Fairbury Apostolic Christian Church.

1986

Fairview Haven celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1986.
(Excerpts from the first Fairview Haven cookbook, "Homemade With Love", published in 1986)

At the time of the printing of this cookbook, Fairview Haven has had 329 admissions. There is currently one resident at Fairview Haven, Hazel Ellis, who was admitted during the first year of operation. Following Frank Honegger as president of the board of directors have been Henry Steffen and Reuben Huber, the current chairman. Eli Leman served as the first administrator. Also serving in that capacity have been Edith Huette, Rosella Mowery and Wayne Drayer.

Looking back over the first 25 years, one can see the many changes that have occurred. Homes for the aged were relatively new in the early 1960s. As Fairview Haven has grown, so has the industry. With growth of the industry, more and more government regulations have appeared. Each year becomes a greater challenge to meet the ever-increasing demands of a growing elderly population. We rely heavily upon our volunteers to help meet those demands. It is safe to say that without our volunteers, Fairview Haven would not be what it is today.

As Fairview Haven was founded upon Christian principles, so it continues to strive to operate in submission to those standards. The March 9, 1961 edition of The Fairbury Blade printed the following: "The church group sums up their feeling about building a home for the aged in the words uttered by a Christian many years ago. ‘What am I to do? I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, any kindness, or any service I can render to any man, let me do it now. Let me not neglect or defer it, for I shall not pass this way again.‘"
-Wayne Drayer, Administrator (1986)

1992-1997

Additional remodeling projects include: a new kitchen completed in 1992. 13 Assisted Living apartments (Fairview Estates) were added in 1997, along with eight additional Medicare beds in the care center and a new physical therapy room. In more recent years, we are updating and remodeling to create a homey atmosphere.

2012

Fairview Haven celebrated its 50th Anniversary in September 2012. The capacity of Fairview Haven Retirement Community is 63 skilled care beds in the care center, 14 Fairview Suites independent living apartments and 13 Fairview Estates licensed Assisted Living apartments. We have had 934 admissions to our care center.

"In reviewing our Mission and Vision Statements, it brings me great comfort to report that we are still on course. What a blessing to behold that in spite of the many changes in the healthcare profession, our mission here at Fairview Haven holds firm. How thankful we are to God that we recently celebrated our 50th anniversary. May God continue to lead and guide our Home for years to come!" -Rick Plattner, Administrator (2012)

2014-16

The acquisition of East Haven Condos in 2014 added a new dimension to the Fairview Haven Retirement Community.
In 2016, the Fairview Haven board voted to build Serenity Villa, a memory support assisted living home.

2018	Dedication and Open House for Fairview Haven's newest residence - Serenity Villa - was held on July 26, 2018.

2020	Fairview Haven launched Connections of Fairview Haven Home Care, serving Livingston, McLean, Ford and Iroquois counties.

2021	Fairview Haven opened In Motion Fitness Center & Therapy in the Fairview Suites basement.

2022

Fairview Haven celebrated its 60th Anniversary in September 2022. The capacity of Fairview Haven Retirement Community is for 52 people in skilled care in the care center, 14 Fairview Suites independent living apartments, 13 Fairview Estates licensed Assisted Living apartments, 14 East Haven Condos and 22 people in Serenity Villa. We have had 1655 admissions to our care center.

“Setting the standard since 1962” seemed to be an appropriate theme for our recent 60th anniversary celebration. Fairview Haven has always put the residents first as we strive to provide an Apostolic Christian community where choice is valued, growth is encouraged and life abounds. Our team goes above and beyond to love our residents as Jesus loves and, as we understand that our team gives back as they receive, our mission stretches beyond our residents to the team who provide this care. It is our hope and desire to have a work environment where choice is valued, growth is encouraged and life abounds, as well as a living environment.

Fairview Haven continues to grow as we strive to meet the needs of the aging population. Since our 50th anniversary (2012), Fairview Haven has expanded by acquiring the East Haven Condominium Association, opening our memory support assisted living home, Serenity Villa. In addition, Connections Home Care Services and InMotion fitness center and outpatient therapy have been developed. We are thankful for the Lord’s hand in this ministry and look forward to the years ahead as He leads us on our journey to continue to set the standard in aging services. Dave Blunier (CEO – 2022)