A Rewarding Experience

“Nothing is more rewarding than to have someone stop you in the street and say that they or their child would not be able to walk now, if it weren’t for their care that they received at a Shrine hospital.”

A Mason or Shriner is dedicated to the tradition of brother helping brother. Learn more about how you can join and help others. 

Leonard A. “Len” Carroll

Ansar’s 107th Potentate

Len was born February 14, 1959 in Hillsboro, Illinois. He was the first child for Rex and Janet Carroll. Rex was a 50 year member of Oconee Masonic Lodge prior to his death in May 2016. His mother is a 50 year member of Eastern Star.

Len grew up in Ramsey, Illinois where he graduated from Ramsey High School in 1977. Upon graduating he took a position as a painter and carpenter with Norfolk & Western Railroad. In 1981 he entered the IBEW Local 146 Apprenticeship Program and graduated as a journeyman wireman electrician in 1985. He then worked in the construction industry until 1991 when he took a position of electrician with the Illinois Department of Corrections at the Taylorville Correctional Center. After over 20 years at TCC, he transferred to the Vandalia Correction Center as Chief Engineer for the facility until his retirement in June, 2015.

Len joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1987 retiring after reaching the rank of Staff Sargent in 2007. Len’s Masonic journey began in 1997 when he became a Master Mason at the Oconee Lodge in Oconee, Illinois. He then became a member of Ansar Shrine in 1998 along with membership in Scottish Rite, York Rite Masons, Royal Arch Masons and Knights Templar. He is Past Master of Oconee Lodge. He was first appointed an ambassador in 2009 for Illustrious Sir Mark Wilson, appointed Marshal in 2013 by Illustrious Sir Wally Stutz and appointed to the advancing line in 2015 by Illustrious Sir Chuck McEvers.

He and his Lady Candy have been married for 42 years and have 4 daughters: Randi (Josh) Sheets, Samantha (Brian) Aversa, and twins Lauren (Cory) Edwards and Jordan (James Smith). They have been blessed with 7 grandchildren: Aidan, Madilyn, Brady, McKynlee, Blake, Alexa and Ella.