Title: Jerry O. and Elinore Covelli Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1941-2009

Creator:

• Covelli, Jerry O., 1913-2009

Call Number: UWP Manuscript Collection 28

Quantity: 1.2 cubic feet (3 archives boxes)

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Parkside Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Locations:

UW-Parkside Library / Parkside Area Research Ctr. (Map)

UW-Parkside Library / Parkside Area Research Ctr. (Map)

See the catalog entry for information about possible additional materials and access to the collection.

C19/C4

Abstract:

Personal papers of Jerry Covelli and his wife Elinore (nèe Vidakovic), including clippings, correspondence, biographical material, awards and personal belongings (especially from post-active duty military groups), and photographs.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-pks-uwpksmc028

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The personal papers of Jerry O. Covelli, donated after his death to University of Wisconsin-Parkside, show Covelli playing an important role in persuading legislators in 1965 to establish a four-year university in Southeastern Wisconsin and to place at its current location. He was an active member of Kenosha county government, serving on the Kenosha City Council as Alderman and the Kenosha County Board as County Supervisor in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, his wife, Elinore Covelli, also played a key role in the local government of the city of Kenosha. Covelli remained a United Auto Workers labor union leader and advocate during his employment with the American Motors Company and after retirement. He worked as an active benefactor of the Easter Seals program, especially of its accessible camping efforts. In 1999, he was inducted into the the Southeastern Wisconsin Educators Hall of Fame. Covelli’s dedication to the Democratic Party and his work in the Johnson/Humphrey presidential campaign in 1964 earned him an invitation to the 1965 inauguration and inaugural ball. A proud veteran, Covelli served in the army during the Second World War, while Elinore contributed to the war effort by working for the American Aircraft Institute. He maintained membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization and various military groups for life. Geri C. Sorensen, the collection donor and Covelli’s daughter, is a 1976 graduate of UW-Parkside.

Personal papers of Jerry Covelli, a decisive figure in the establishment and location of UW-Parkside, and his wife of over 50 years, Elinore Covelli. Includes clippings and correspondence Jerry received in the course of his duties and volunteer work, and personal papers, newspaper clippings, and awards belonging to Elinore. A limited amount of biographical material, awards, and personal belongings (especially from post-active duty military groups) and photographss complete the collection. Of particular note is an invitation to the inauguration and inaugural ball of Lyndon B. Johnson.

The files are divided into two series: Jerry O. Covelli and Elinor Covelli, and thereunder organized alphabetically by personal name or subject.

See the UWP Libraries' Archives Department Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Custodial History

Acquisition Information

Donated to UW-Parkside Archives and Area Research Center by Geri Covelli Sorenson in February 2012.

Processing Information

Processed in 2012 by Anna Stadick. Additional material processed in 2014 by Liz Antaramian.

UWP Manuscript Collection 28	Series: Jerry O. Covelli
Box   1 Folder   15	Award certificates, 1972-2009
Box   1 Folder   17	Award/plaque images, 1987-1999
Box   1 Folder   16	Awards and programs, Easter Seals, 1976-1994
Box   1 Folder   18	Biographical materials, 1945-1998
	Clippings
Box   1 Folder   1	County government/community, 1967-1984
Box   1 Folder   2	Democratic Party, 1968-1994
Box   1 Folder   3	Easter Seals, 1977-1988
Box   1 Folder   4	Educators Hall of Fame, Southeastern Wisconsin, 1999
Box   1 Folder   5	Labor Union, 1951-1988
Box   1 Folder   6	Personal, 1972-2009
Box   1 Folder   7	UW-Parkside, 1965-2008
	Correspondence
Box   1 Folder   8	Democratic Party, 1966-1994
Box   1 Folder   10	Easter Seals, 1978-1994
Box   1 Folder   12	Educators Hall of Fame, 1999
Box   1 Folder   9	Local government, 1967-1983
Box   1 Folder   11	Personal, 1965-2008
Box   1 Folder   13	UW-Parkside, 1966-1999
Box   1 Folder   14	Veteran-related, 1983-1998
Box   1 Folder   23	Friends of William Proxmire dinner program, undated
Box   1 Folder   19	Funeral service program, 2009
	Personal effects
Box   3 Folder   9	Diploma from Comptometer School, 1942
Box   3 Folder   9	Graduation Program Gateway, 1982
Box   3 Folder   9	Food critic business card, undated
Box   1 Folder   28	Dog tag
Box   1 Folder   24	Military Order of the Cootie book, card, garrison cap, 1978-1987
Box   1 Folder   25	Polish Legion of American Veterans, card and garrison cap, No date
Box   1 Folder   26	VFW lifetime card, garrison cap, 1963
Box   1 Folder   27	VFW membership card, 1948
	Photographs
Box   1 Folder   20	1944-1993, undated
UWP Manuscript Collection XX Box   Oversize 1	Garfield School class photograph, 1928
UWP Manuscript Collection 28 Box   1 Folder   21	Political activities, 1964-1984
Box   1 Folder   22	Presidential inauguration, 1965
	Series: Elinore Vidakovic Covelli	⇧
Box   3 Folder   6	American Aircraft Institute booklet, 1943-1944
Box   3 Folder   3	Awards/appointment certificates, 1977-1983
Box   3 Folder   1	Biographical materials, 1921-2004
Box   3 Folder   2	Clippings, 2010, undated
	Correspondence
Box   3 Folder   5	Democratic Party, 1965-1966
Box   3 Folder   4	Local government, 1990-1995
Box   3	Gateway Technical Institute diploma, 1982
	Personal effects
Box   3 Folder   10	College notebook, 1980
Box   3 Folder   8	Photos, undated
Box   3 Folder   7	Primary education, 1934-1938
UWP Manuscript Collection XX Box   Oversized 1	St. Catherine’s High School diploma, 1983-1998
UWP Manuscript Collection 28 Box   3	St. Catherine’s High School ribbon, undated
Box   3 Folder   11	Trip diaries, undated