Stronghurst: It's another "Good Thing" happening in Henderson County, according to Gene Ray, longtime service man in the electrical, plumbing, and heating business.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Stronghurst: It's another "Good Thing" happening in Henderson County, according to Gene Ray, longtime service man in the electrical, plumbing, and heating business.
"We have an experienced Good Hope man who has moved at the edge of Stronghurst, anxious to start serving customers in the plumbing, heating, and electrical business. He also comes with the expertise of well drilling and water witching," Ray said.
Gene Ray turned over his keys to GENE RAY SERVICES after 21 years of service here, but 47 years total in service work in the county.
Rich Plate is 30 and has 15 years experience in well service, well constructions as well as plumbing, electrical, and heating. He is very excited about starting his own business and meeting the people in Stronghurst and around Henderson County.
Gene Ray will remain on as part time help and Plate has also employed his son Scott Ray of Oquawka and an apprentice, Randy Brewer of Roseville to meet the demands of the area.
Under the name of PLATE SERVICES, INC. Plate said his territory will have no limit, "You pay, we'll go," he stated. Gene, who likes to travel, suggested that he would go on any of the scenic calls they are hired to do in other states. Plate does have his Illinois and Iowa license which will allow him work across the Mississippi River.
Gene Ray has worked in the plumbing-heating industry since 1957 when he began his apprenticeship under Wayne Pearson d/b/a Pearson Plumbing & Heating in Biggsville. Wayne died in "69. Then Gene and Don Price ran Biggsville Plumbing & Heating for twelve years until he sold his share to Don Simmons in 1981.
After a move to Stronghurst in 1980 following his marriage to Joan Sanderson Allaman, Gene delayed opening a shop due to a few health problems. Then in 1983 he started Gene Ray Services.
At that time there were four plumbing businesses keeping busy but within a couple years Gene Ray Services was the only one left. Carl Jacobson, Gerald Sprock, Ralph Tatge, and Ivan Jacobs were all in practice in 1983.
"Ivan was the last to close ten years ago" Gene said.
Gene enjoys servicing the people of Stronghurst and Henderson County with many experiences of all kinds. The most unusual calls can happen from ridding a house of a rat to a rabbit who leaped from the crawl space under the floor into a woman's kitchen during the process of thawing frozen water pipes under her sink.
What will change at Plate Services, Inc. beside the keys? Rich Plate says besides offering well drilling services, his water witching ability might surprise some people.
"If you have water in the ground, I can tell you where it is. And in some cases, I can tell how deep it is to the foot." That service will cost $40 plus mileage. He also does sewer cleaning and drain cleaning and offers 24 hours service. Office hours will be 8 to 5.