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3 coworkers have 3 sets of twins all graduating
By Mary Ann Ford
mford@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL -- Nurses Sheila Simons, Mary Harrison and Sonja Miller have a lot more in common than just their occupation.

Eighteen years ago each gave birth to a set of twins.

Simons had two sons, Calvin and Corey Eggenberger. Harrison had a son and a daughter, Adam and Emily King. And Miller had two daughters, Brittany and Courtney Miller.

The Miller twins graduated from Clinton High School Sunday. On Friday, the Kings will graduate from Flanagan High School and the Eggenbergers will be among five sets of twins graduating from Pontiac Township High School.

Their mothers all work at Manor Care Health Services, 510 Broadway, Normal. Simons of Odell is administrative director of nursing services, and Harrison of Flanagan and Sonja Miller of Clinton are assistant directors of nursing at the facility.

While they each knew they had twins, they didn’t realize they were all graduating this year until recently when the mothers were talking about needing time off for graduation ceremonies.

The twins are the youngest children in each of the families, and that means the three will have a sympathetic ear when they are trying to get through empty-nest syndrome after their sons and daughters leave for the journey to adulthood.

“It’s going to be hard, very hard,” said Simons.

That’s especially true when it comes to Calvin Eggenberger and Adam King. The two young men have followed their lifelong dream and joined the Marines. Calvin Eggenberger leaves June 11, Adam King on July 23.

“I’m proud of him, of course, but as a mom I don’t want him to go,” said Simons.

Eggenberger agrees being away from his family, especially his twin brother, will be hard.

“It’s going to be hard not having (Corey) around,” he said. “Going to the Marines is going to be exciting but I’m a little scared.”

The other twins will be flying the coop later this summer. Corey Eggenberger will be off studying to become an auto diesel mechanic, Emily King will be pursuing a degree in social services, Courtney Miller will follow her mother’s footsteps and study nursing, and Brittany Miller will be working towards a business degree.

“It’s going to be hard being away from my sister,” said Brittany Miller. “We’re best friends. I’m always with her. I’m glad to get out of highs school, but scared to meet new friends.”

Harrison said her son and daughter are best friends, as well.

“They fight like cats and dogs, but they’re best friends,” said Harrison.

But the coincidences don’t stop there. While Simons and Harrison have only know each other since March when Simons started work at Manor Care, their kids have known each other for quite some time because of school activities in Livingston County where both Flanagan and Pontiac high schools are located.

Take a look
Three employees of HCR Manor Care, who have twins graduating from area high schools, are from left, Mary Harrison of Flanagan, Sheila Simon of Odell and Sonja Miller of Clinton. HCR Manor Care 510 Broadway Street, Normal. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY
Sonja Miller twins are Brittany, left and Courtney Miller. HCR Manor Care 510 Broadway Street, Normal. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY
Mary Harrison twins Adam and Emily King HCR Manor Care 510 Broadway Street, Normal. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY
Sheila Simons of Odell twins are Calvin (left) and Corey Eggenberger. HCR Manor Care 510 Broadway Street, Normal. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY
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Reader comments on this story - 6 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

to hmmm... wrote on May 28, 2007 7:28 PM:

" What a sorry person you must be to try and find something negative in this article. shame on you!!! "

hmmm... wrote on May 24, 2007 4:41 PM:

" at least one of the three women stayed married to the kid's fathers. "

Twin wrote on May 24, 2007 3:57 PM:

" My twin and I separated for the first time when we went to college. It was certainly an adjustment, but it all worked out! Good luck to you all! "

jazzy wrote on May 24, 2007 1:16 PM:

" what a nice story....best wishes to all the kids on your future and moms with the empty nest. God Bless All! "

Well~~ wrote on May 24, 2007 10:06 AM:

" Dos'nt that give ya the warm fuzzies! :) "

Three girls and three... wrote on May 24, 2007 2:47 AM:

" boys! Wouldn't it be totally cool if.........? GREAT STORY! "
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