the Paper - April 10, 2024

S T E M program offers unique learning opportunities

By LAUREN ZEUGNER Editor

After seeing S.T.E.M. programs being offered to elementary students by other county extension programs, Andrew Ferrell, county extension director and 4-H youth development director, decided to bring a similar program to Kosciusko County.

To assist him, he recruited four high school 4-H’ers, two from Warsaw Community High School, and two from Tippecanoe Valley High School, who were interested in either a career in S.T.E.M. or education.

Prior to going out to area elementary schools, Ferrell spent a month creating the lessons, based on state standards and his knowledge from being an elementary school teacher before joining the extension.

More lessons will be added in the future. Ferrell explained he’s keeping a spread sheet of which lessons are taught at each of the schools so there is no repetition.

He then taught his young assistants how to do the various lessons or experiments. Once they knew how to do the experiment, he turned the tables on them and had them teach him the material to make sure they understood it.

The S.T.E.M. in the Classroom program is made up of various lessons in robotics, progra mming and coding, mechanical engineering and design, 3-D printing, chemical reactions and states of matter and much more.

Many of the lessons are contained in grab-andgo totes, although there is also a spin bike, which features a platform for either a blender or a special drum. Ferrell said if a student pedals long enough, he or she can get the blender going fast enough to make a smoothie. Or if using the drum, a sheet of paper is attached inside.

STATE OF MATTER — Students at Madison Elementary School mix up oobleck, a substance that demonstrates viscosity. Hit it with a fist and it won’t dent. Push a finger into and it reacts like quick sand, pulling the finger into it. This is one of the lessons offered by Purdue Extension’s S.T.E.M. in the Classroom program. Photo provided by Andrew Ferrell.

As the student pedals, the paper begins to spin. While the paper is spinning, paint is dropped onto the paper to make an art piece.

Ferrell started S.T.E.M. in the

Classroom last year. So far, approximately 300 students have been taught. When visiting a school, Ferrell brings lessons for four stations. He helps his student leaders set up their station and then helps navigate things as they teach the younger kids.

Each lesson takes about 15 minutes and then the students move onto the next station.

Since the programs started Ferrell has visited Mentone, Milford, Madison and Claypool elementary schools.

“It’s just been word of mouth (so far),” he said. The program is geared for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

“We adjust the lesson for each grade,” Ferrell explained.”

The program also offers the high school leaders a unique opportunity. Other than an internship or externship, this program allows older students to get a real

taste of what its like to be in the classroom.

“I need both sides to see the value of the program,” he said. “I want more kids in my 4-H program to say ‘this is so cool.’”

Ferrell is looking for more student leaders. High school students interested in helping do not have to be enrolled in 4-H to participate. They just need to reach out to Ferrell at (574) 372-2340 or adferrell@purdue.edu.

Ferrell is already working on expanding some of the existing lessons in the S.T.E.M. in the Classroom. One is taking the robotics lesson and creating a battlebot situation where the kids have to find a way to protect a balloon attached to the robot from being popped.

The kids use items, like bamboo skewers and paper plates, to create different ways of shielding the balloon.

“We’ll try this three times,” Ferrell said showing a video on the 4-H Facebook page. “They keep making modifications to their devices.”

Ferrell said he and his student leaders already have four sessions set up at various schools and hope to do more.

“We’ll come in and spend a couple of hours (with the kids),” he said. “Fridays are always popular to have us come in.”

SPIN BIKE ART Students at Milford Elementary School try the spin bike during S.T.E.M. in the Classroom, offered by Purdue Extension Kosciusko County.

The girl pedals the bike fast enough to spin the drum, which has a piece of paper attached to it while her classmate squeeze paint onto

the paper. The bike also has a blender attachment and can make smoothies if the person pedaling pedals fast enough. Photo provided by Andrew Ferrell.

Senior Fair Queen helps raise money for Lahaina, Hawaii fire victims

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I’ve been busy this year as the 2024 Elkhart County 4-H Senior Fair Queen,” stated Debbie Johnson, Goshen. “Being fair queen is not just about parades and standing in the limelight. It’s about making a difference in our neighborhoods and world.”

Right now, Johnson is working with her fellow classmates of Goshen High School’s Class of 1972. They are working hard to raise money for the fire victims in Lahaina, Hawaii.

“Some of them have lost everything. We are not just enlisting the help of those in Elkhart County but are reaching out to those in neighboring counties to lend a helping hand. The money we raise from donors will be sent from our VFW to the Lahaina VFW.”

The class of ’72 is planning a silent auction from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Goshen VFW.

“I have fond memories of my classmates, especially from Chamberlain Elementary School. We not only played kickball, softball and went sledding together on the playground, we would meet during the summer at the North Fifth Street Park too. We developed a

lasting relationship.”

Johnson then attended Harris K. Whiteman Junior High with many of these same students. And they went on to Goshen High School.

“When I was 14 my dad passed away,” Johnson explained. “When I turned 16, I dropped out of school to enter the work world and help out with expenses.”

She always regretted having to quit school. “When my husband Larry and I moved to Florida, I got my GED. I also attended college, getting a degree in office systems technology.”

The Johnsons moved back to Goshen in 2007. While she was a paraprofessional at Northridge and working with at-risk students, Johnson stressed the importance of education.

“I always told them that was one my biggest regrets, not getting my high school diploma. I explained to them that not everyone will go to college, but in order to get a good paying job, a high school diploma is essential.”

Johnson also made contact with her classmates from Goshen High School. “After COVID was no longer a big threat, six of us decided to meet by-monthly to chat and get caught up with one another.” Johnson also attended the 50th class reunion in 2022.

WORKING TOGETHER

Brenda Kramer are working together with fellow members of the class of ’72 raising money for the fire victims in Lahaina, Hawaii. Partnering with the Goshen VFW in a fundraising effort, they are raising food, clothing and any other assistance needed for Lahaina veterans and citizens. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and include a silent auction at the Goshen VFW. Photo provided by the Class of ’72.

“In 2023, after the fire in Lahaina, Hawaii, one of our classmates decided she wanted to do something to help. Debbie Brown volunteers for the local Red Cross and had been to the area. ‘Our class needs to do something,’ she asserted.”

The Goshen class of ’72 began making plans. Partnering with the Goshen VFW, in a fundraising effort, they are raising money for food, clothing, or any

other assistance needed for the veterans and citizens.

“Wes Higginbotham is getting donations, silent auction items, and gift certificates that will be auctioned off that afternoon.” Johnson and Brenda Kramer are in charge of media and publicity. So many others are working hard too.

“I’m so happy to be able to help with this worthy endeavor. Being fair queen gives me a

platform to raise awareness about projects that will make a difference in the lives of people.” Johnson is also very involved in veteran affairs in the area.

Those wanting to help may email her at debndfan@frontier. com.

Mobile Meals needs volunteer drivers

Mobile Meals needs volunteer drivers for North Webster, Syracuse, Warsaw and Milford. People can volunteer one day a month or as many days as they would like or just be a back up in case a driver is needed some months.

Volunteer drivers must be available between the hours of 11:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. for the North Webster route.

Drivers for the Syracuse-Milford route must be available between 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For the Warsaw route, drivers must be available between 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Contact Kosciusko Community Senior Services at (574) 267-2012 and ask for Jen or leave a message.

Wes Higginbotham, left, Elkhart County Senior Queen Debbie Johnson and

M ilestones

Picture captures four generations of Sittler family

A recent Easter celebration brought together four generations of the Sittler family, headed by patriarch Tom Sittler of Silver Lake.

Tom Sittler graduated from Silver Lake High School with the class of 1952. Son Steve, Nappanee, graduated from Warsaw High School in 1979.

Grandson Sam, Raeford, N.C., graduated from NorthWood High School in 2012. A greatgrandson, who is Tom’s namesake, was born Dec. 30, 2023, in Pinehurst, N.C.

All of them were gathered together for Easter and used the occasion to capture a four-generation photograph.

Jordan inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Bianca Jordan of Warsaw was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Jordan was initiated at University of Evansville.

Jordan is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each

year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Cary Lewis purchases White Machine Inc.

Cary Lewis has purchased White Machine Inc., located at 1903 White Industrial Drive, Warsaw.

White Machine was operated by John White Jr. and started by his father, John White, in 1976 at 655 1⁄2 S. Buffalo St., moving in 1986 to its current location.

The company’s services include the ability to repair and produce parts machined from steel with manual mills and lathes.

White Machine reopened as White Industrial Machine LLC

Monday, April 1. The new phone number will be (574) 376-4919.

White Industrial Machine plans to support its current client base and expand its repair services by purchasing upgraded equipment and reorganizing the facility. The property will be partly utilized to expand the footprint of Lewis Salvage. Those with interest can contact Lewis at Cary@lewis-salvage. com. Lewis started Downwind Recycling Services LLC in 2023. Lewis purchased Lewis Salvage Corp. from his parents, Mike and Rita Lewis.

In 2015, Lewis purchased Mike Gill Auto and Truck Parts at 1806 W. Winona Ave. and the buildings at 3454 N. Detroit St. Lewis was recently elected as a board of director for the Indiana State chapter of ISRI to advocate for the recycling industry. He continues to operate Gills as a you-pick used parts yard, selling late model used car and truck parts. The Detroit Street complex has been developed into a multiuse facility and provides thirdparty storage services to local manufacturers.

Lewis Salvage purchases scrap metals, supports landfill reduction programs, and provides destruction services to orthopedic manufacturers. Lewis Salvage can be reached at (574) 267-6781 or visit lewis-salvage. com.

Four generations of the Sittler family recently gathered for Easter and used the occasion to capture a picture. Patriarch Tom Sittler, Silver Lake, is shown in the center, on the right is son Steve, and on the left is grandson, Sam, holding the great-grandson, who is Tom’s namesake. Photo provided by Steve Sittler.

Amy Roe presented the Extension All Star Award

presented

annual meeting, which had a new look this year. Instead of an evening banquet, an open house format was held at The Barn: 1800, Warsaw.

The Extension All Star Award has been presented by the extension for a number of years recognizing persons who have done great things through extension, the community and who have lent a hand. Matt Sandy, extension board president, stated Roe, for anyone who doesn’t know her, “embodies the service of the community engagement. Her unwavering commitment has left an indelible mark in lives.”

Roe, collaborating with Purdue Extension, has been working to combat food insecurities in Kosciusko County. She has worked with Caroline Arnett, community wellness coordinator, and Lisa Harman, LiveWell Kosciusko, to reach out to stakeholders across the county. The first meeting resulted in 20 plus people from 16 organizations attending.

“Amy has stayed active aiming at challenges facing our community. Food insecurity and lack of access to fresh foods touches the lives of thousands. Over the next few years, as the coalition works to reduce food insecurity, it will provide food access and fresh nutritious food to all communities of Kosciusko County,” said Sandy.

He noted Roe’s dedication and contributions extend beyond food insecurities. The various facets she works with touches lives of individuals and lives and families across the county.

“She is a great asset to Kosciusko County with the H.E.L.P. Program as well as her many other hats that she’s worn. She doesn’t say no to pretty much anything. She says yes and that’s just a bonus to our county and I think that’s the spirit our county needs.”

Roe, who tried to give the award to Lisa Harman at LiveWell Kosciusko, stated she could not have done what she has without Harman. “I’ve been so honored to learn about all the resources through Purdue Extension and Lisa is the one who made the connection with Caroline. Being able to understand all that Purdue Extension does … this organization in

all the counties does so much people do not know about and to be able to have these people … this organization doesn’t get the recognition it should. …”

The extension annual meeting was altered following a board discussion. Sandy had announced earlier at the event the board wanted to try something different to see how it worked and the turnout. There were approximately 40 were in attendance. “I think it looks great,” said Sandy.

Andrew Ferrell, county extension director, stated “We felt it gave an opportunity to have better networking, where its more of an open house format and we can mingle among our stakeholders instead of a formal sit down dinner. The open house feel allows more networking and friendliness.” He added he felt he could mingle with people more at this type of event.

The annual meeting also heard reports from extension educators and county extension homemakers.

Shannon Shepherd, health and human sciences educator, focused on financial resource management and the Reality Store, working with high school sophomore students in making real life financial decisions, the Captain Cash program for second, third and fifth grade students and in human development the matter of balance program for for older adults.

Ferrell, highlighted the handson S.T.E.M. Programs in multiple schools across the county. On the 4-H side he reported 530 4-H’ers last year, 260 adult volunteers and 132 mini 4-H members. “I’d love to have it (the numbers) grow more. I feel we are our own little hidden gem,” stated Ferrell.

Emily Kresca, ag and natural resources educator, talked about the statewide virtual Annie’s Project, Women in Ag Skills Training and events it has hosted, plus future trainings for that particular group. She also highlighted information on a North Central Extension Risk Management Education Grant which will focus on cut flower growers for sustainable growth to begin in January.

Caroline Arnett, community wellness coordinator, elaborated more on the insecurity coalition, details about the nutrition education program, and her role as CWC in the district.

Judy Egolf, county extension homemakers, shared the challenges and change in the program, announced the 2024 open class projects for this year’s fair catalog is available and the group will be awarding three scholarships, $1,000 each, to graduating seniors. Two of the scholarships will be toward continuing education at a college level, while one will focus on career and technical advancement for students.

EXTENSION ALL STAR AWARD Amy Roe, right, received this year’s Kosciusko County Extension All Star Award recognition, for her efforts in working with Purdue Extension on the Food Insecurities Coalition. From left, are Andrew Farrell, county extension director and 4-H educator; and Matt Sandy, county extension board president.

MAKING A SMOOTHIE Pardee Gunter, seated on the bicycle, gets instructions on what he needs to do to make a banana smoothie using the bicycle, from Andrew Farrell, county extension director, standing on the right.

New Artist Exhibit: Brenda Ramseier

By DEEANNA MURASKI and DARLA MCCAMMON Guest Writers

We take a break this week from our Art in America series. We are excited to introduce our artist exhibiting at the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery: Brenda Ramseier. As a reminder, the art gallery is free to attend and helps showcase artists in our area, continue to educate the community and create awareness of art.

Ramseier is a retired elementary and middle school art teacher at Maconaquah school corporation, located in Bunker Hill. However, she has not stopped teaching art; she simply has a new venue.

In 2015, she renovated a pole barn on her property in Silver Lake in order to teach art classes to all ages. Now she is her own boss and able to have her own time table and techniques to present.

Her objective with the studio

was to create a fun, welcoming and inspiring space; even the name “The Art Giraffe” evokes smiles. The Art Giraffe ties in perfectly with her motto to “stick your neck out and try something new.”

Ramseier is an accomplished artist with many awards to her credit. She enjoys creating in multiple mediums but currently enjoys pen and ink along with watercolor as her favorite.

Two very coveted awards she received were the Hoosier Women Artists competition and the Hoosier Art Salon. The Hoosier Women Artists award was created in 2008 to recognize, celebrate and create awareness of female artists in Indiana.

The artwork is prominently displayed yearly in the statehouse and governor’s residence with thousands of dignitaries and residents being able to view the selected pieces. Last year, they had over 230 pieces eligible for submission and only 30 made

the cut to be displayed.

The Hoosier Art Salon is equally impressive. This year it celebrates its 100th anniversary with total cash prizes awarded of $50,000 to winning artists. The chosen artwork is displayed yearly from August to October in the Rapp Gallery at the Indiana State Museum. This is a “juried” art show, which means many pieces do not make the cut to be judged.

While Ramseier has won many other awards besides the two prestigious ones mentioned above, those two alone are enough to generate interest.

We are very fortunate to have Ramseier displaying her work at Warsaw City Hall, 102 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Her work will be displayed from April 2 until June 14. We encourage you to view the artwork of our local artistic gem and you might even sign up for one of her art classes.

Classic Arts programs announces youth chorale auditions in April

Students in grades 3-10 who love singing are invited to join the Classic Arts Programs Youth Chorale for its 2024-2025 season.

A select mixed choral ensemble, Youth Chorale members are offered vocal instruction and a variety of rewarding performance opportunities throughout each season.

Auditions will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, or Tuesday, April 23. Those auditioning are asked to choose one night to attend.

Come ready to sing; no preparation needed. Conducted in a relaxed, fun group setting, auditions will be held at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 S. High St., Warsaw. Plan to enter Door N1 on Market Street.

To audition, complete the registration form at classicartsprograms.com/youth-chorale.

For questions, contact Judie Meulink, Youth Chorale Artistic Director, at jmeulink@classicartsprograms.com.

Arts Salon. Her exhibit is on display through June 14. Photo provided by DeeAnna Muraski.

YOUTH CHORALE IN CONCERT Classic Arts Programs Youth Chorale perform during the 2021 Christmas program. Youth from grades 3-10 are encouraged to participate in Youth Chorale. Photo provided by Classic Arts Programs.

Robotics Championships at Lucas Oil

Stadium March 23. Of the 17 Wa-Nee teams in attendance, eight earned the right to advance to the VEX World Championships in Dallas, Texas, in early May. Photo by Keith Knepp.

Wa-Nee Robotics sending eight teams to world championships

By KEITH KNEPP Staff Writer

Known far and wide as one of the most successful robotics programs in the world, Wa-Nee Robotics sent 17 teams to the Indiana VEX Robotics tournaments Saturday, March 23, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.

That number included three teams from NorthWood High School, eight teams from NorthWood Middle School, and two teams each from Nappanee Elementary School, Wakarusa Elementary School and Woodview Elementary School. The Wa-Nee delegation of well over 100 students and coaches was by far the largest of any single school corporation or program at the event.

According to TechPoint Foundation for Youth, the organization that puts on the annual event, there were more than 1,600 students representing more than 300 teams “uniting to represent the best of robotics sportsmanship across the state of Indiana.

Nearly 10,000 fans attended the nation’s largest state robotics championship competition to cheer on their local teams in a high-energy day full of surprises, friendly competition and creative problem solving.

Special guest Mayor Joe Hogsett of Indianapolis shared a rousing message of encouragement during the opening ceremony, and the audience was captivated by messages of good luck

Author Tom Rose to sign books in Wakarusa

Local author and speaker Tom Rose will be signing books at the The Garage Coffee Shop, 104 W. Waterford St., Wakarusa, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13.

A Goshen-based author, Rose will have all three of his current books including, “Balloon in a Box, Coping with Grief,” “The Secret is in the Pasta” and “Cooking Together a Cooks Cookbook.”

Rose speaks at numerous public events across northern Indiana as well as being a grief group facilitator. He would love to hear your comments by calling (574) 596-6256, or by email at roseandrose@comcast. net.

For further information about the event, call (574) 832-3200. TOM ROSE

from surprising figures in STEM. By the end of the day, 68 teams qualified for the VEX Robotics 2024 World Championships to be held in Dallas, Texas, May 1-3. Among those 68 teams, eight from Wa-Nee earned the right to advance to Dallas.

Additionally, a few of the teams came home with worldchampionship banners to hang in their respective schools:

• Team Echo, representing NorthWood Middle School, earned the skills state championship and was named the Amaze Award winner.

• Team Donuts of the middle school came home with the teamwork state championship.

• Team Pop Lock and Sprocket was the State Build Award winner.

• Team Rising Phoenix from the middle school was the recipient of the coveted Jack Klein Memorial Award. It also finished as the teamwork runners up.

• Woodview Elementary

School Eaglebots Blue was the Excellence Award state champion as the best overall elementary school program in the state.

• Nappanee Elementary School Bulldogs Blue, Wakarusa Elementary School Wildcats Red and Woodview Elementary School Eaglebots Red also finished well enough to earn bids to the world competition in May. The program will be holding

its annual “GEARing UP for Worlds” fundraising dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 20. If you are interested in attending the dinner or would like to make a contribution to the program to help support the local team in their quests for a world championship, contact Director of Robotics Jake Simons at jsimons@ wanee.org, or call (574) 773-3117 during school hours.

Pickleball courts now open in Nappanee

The Nappanee Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce that it is serving up something extra special for you!

That’s right, get ready to put your pickleball skills to the test because its six, brand new pickleball courts are now open. They are located in Stauffer Park to the west of the public pool.

Later this spring, the parks and recreation department will host an official dedication event to thank all the sponsors who helped this become a reality, and additional amenities will be added in the future to make your pickleball experience even better throughout the season! Call (574) 773-2112 for further information.

Nappanee United Methodist Church celebrates 50th anniversary

By PHIL LEHMAN Nappanee United Methodist Church

People are invited to join us at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Nappanee United Methodist Church when we celebrate 50 years of worship services in our sanctuary.

It was Sunday, May 5, 1974, during the worship service led by Pastors James Willyard and Terry Rhine, that the congregation moved from the old sanctuary in the 1916 building at 301 E.

Market St. into the new building to the east, which included the sanctuary, office and chapel.

Commemorating this special occasion, Rhine will return to deliver the message. Many of the pastors who have served the church will be guests at the service. Following the service, there will be a reception to greet Rhine and the former pastors.

The Nappanee United Methodist Church traces its local heritage to three early Nappanee congregations: Methodist Episcopal, Evangelical Association and

United Brethren in Christ. In 1946, The Evangelical and United Brethren Churches joined nationally to become the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and in 1959 merged locally to become the Nappanee EUB Church.

In 1968, the Methodist and EUB Churches merged nationally, and locally to become the Nappanee United Methodist Church in 1969. The congregation held worship services in the former Methodist church building until its new church building to the east was completed in 1974.

WA-NEE IN THE HOUSE More than 100 students and coaches from Nappanee and Wakarusa schools competed in the Indiana State VEX

Soup and pie luncheon April 17 in Warsaw

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Soup and Pie Luncheon is planned for Wednesday, April 17.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion, Warsaw.

On the menu will be pulled pork sandwiches, four kinds of soup and a variety of pies.

Carry-outs will be available. All proceeds will go to the Salvation Army Food Pantry.

Echoes of the Past ushers in 2024 at Runnings grand opening

This year is the 30th anniversary of Echoes of the Past. Recently, club members dusted off their tractors to help Runnings in Warsaw with its grand opening.

The two-day tractor show, held in the parking lot of the new Runnings store, let patrons of the store have an up-close experience with vintage and antique tractors of various makes and models. Minneapolis Moline, John Deere, Farmall, Allis Chalmer and Ford were all represented by member-owned tractors.

Wakarusa Farmers Market begins April

19

The next edition of the Downtown Wakarusa Farmers Market will take place from 3-7 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Doc’s Pavilion, 116 W. Waterford St.

Come out and visit local farmers, bakers, woodworkers and crafters. Shop local and support the community.

For further information, email downtownwakarusafm@ gmail.com.

Elkhart Extension offering program on food budgeting

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a family of eight, food budgeting can be stressful. Learn how to get the most from your food dollars, plan nutritious meals and reduce food waste.

The club has a full year of events planned to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The next scheduled event will be in April when the tractors will take to the fields at Sands Farms in Silver Lake for plow day. The next scheduled tractor show will be at the Mentone Egg Festival, downtown Mentone. Be sure to come out and see the tractors and the car show May 31.

For more information about the club, visit theechoesofthepast. com or follow its Facebook page at facebook.com/OldTractors.

Grace professor releases ‘Finding Freedom and Grace in a Broken World’

Long-time Grace Theological Seminary Professor Dr. Thomas M. Stallter recently released his new book, “Finding Freedom and Grace in a Broken World: A Journey in the Purposes and Providence of God” with Wipf and Stock Publishing.

The book seeks to help Christians grow in knowing God and trusting his grace, purposes and providence on their journey in the present situation.

“We are entering one of the darkest times in our history as a country,” said Stallter. “Never has the attack on life and morality been greater. In the midst of this crisis, I am finding that many Christians are confused about what to believe, about what God says and how to live for him. We must each play our part in strengthening each other in our understanding of God’s ways and trust in his providence.”

Stallter is a professor of inter-

cultural studies at Grace Theological Seminary, where he has taught for 25 years. He previously spent 18 years in pastoral training, church planting, relief work and business as a missionary in the Central African Republic and Chad. He is also the author of “The Gap between God and Christianity: The Turbulence of Western Culture” (Wipf and Stock, 2022).

According to Stallter, this new book is intended to help Christians reach a healthy maturity in Christ, deal with anxiety, have a perspective that gives hope in suffering and experience peace in their relationship with God. “In this book, I want to help Christians understand more about God’s lavish grace, his unbending purposes, his good providence and his unrelenting love for believers,” said Stallter. “I want us to grow our trust in God and experience more freedom in Christ. I want the

church to be less divided over nonessentials and less legalistic in doctrine as well as more discerning about what cultural values they welcome into the church.”

The book has 234 short, readable segments which can be read at the start of the day. It can be read from beginning to end over a year, topically out of need or interest or with a friend. Each topic includes an average of 20 Biblical references.

“‘Finding Freedom and Grace in a Broken World’ invites the reader to examine implicit values shaped in the soul by cultural assumptions of Western Christianity,” said Dr. Christy Hill, professor of spiritual formation and women’s ministry at Grace Theological Seminary. “The book stretches us to move beyond a performance-based Christianity to a deeply trust-based relationship with God himself. This multi-faceted book with vari-

ous entries covers well the gamut of the Christian life, written from the heart of a seasoned coach and a caring soul mentor.”

The book’s ISBN is 9798385208579. It is $39 and can be purchased on the Wipf and Stock website, Amazon and bookshop.org. To learn more, visit wipfandstock.com/9798385208579/ finding-freedom-and-grace-in-abroken-world.

Join this free educational program presented by Emily Christ, Purdue University extension educator in health and human sciences in Elkhart County. This program is being offered at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at the Wakarusa Public Library, 124 N. Elkhart St.

If you would like to attend the program, pre-register by calling the Wakarusa Public Library at (574) 862-2465.

This program and all programs of the Purdue University Extension Service are open to everyone. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, call Emily at (574) 533-0554 by April 16.

TRADITION CONTINUES Pictured are members of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary who are involved in planning the annual Soup & Pie Luncheon. From left are Ruth Casner, Tafra Krevinghaus, Brenda Arnold, Peg Burger, Sue Mock and Cindy Coppes. Photo provided.

ECHOES TRACTOR SHOW — This year is the 30th anniversary of Echoes of the Past. Recently, club members dusted off their tractors to help Runnings with its grand opening. Photo provided.

Carson receives statewide scholarship award

Grace College elementary education and special education major Haley Carson of Etna Green was recently named the 2024 Dr. William Littlejohn Scholarship Award winner by the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children. The scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student who has chosen to pursue licensing in special education and is a current Council for Exceptional Children member. This individual exemplifies Dr. William Littlejohn’s dedication to the principles and high professional standards.

Carson was recognized Wednesday, March 6, at the Monroe County Convention Center during the INCEC Beyond Barriers: Educating Exceptional Children Conference.

“I was very excited to represent Grace College at the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children State Conference for the Dr. Littlejohn Scholarship,” said Carson. “I have fully immersed myself in coursework and placements throughout my time at Grace to prepare for my career,

and I am honored to be recognized for this award.”

The CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. INCEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

“Haley is a very determined young woman who has an obvious commitment to the teaching profession, specifically in special education,” said Dr. Cheryl Bremer, dean of the School of Education at Grace. “Her passion for teaching is evidenced through her quality of work, creativity and desire for learning. In all that she does, Haley exemplifies the principles and high professional standards set by a remarkable special educator, Dr. William Littlejohn.”

Carson has been a member

It’s time for the 23rdAnnual……..

It’s time for the 23rdAnnual……..

It’s time for the 23rdAnnual……..

…..a free event featuring food & fun for the entire family!

…..a free event featuring food & fun for the entire family!

Like Kosciusko County Ag Awareness!

www.extension.purdue.edu/county/kosciusko

of the Grace College chapter of the CEC for the past three years and has served on the executive board for the past two years. Currently, she serves as the board’s president.

www.extension.purdue.edu/county/kosciusko

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

5:00-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

5:00-7:30 p.m.

Kosciusko County Community Fairgrounds —Warsaw 1400 E Smith Street

5:00-7:30 p.m.

Kosciusko County Community Fairgrounds —Warsaw

This past fall, Carson organized a chapter-wide event in collaboration with the INCEC Breaking Down Barriers Virtual Symposium. In addition, Carson has developed a strong partnership with Cardinal Services, a community organization in Warsaw, that serves adults with disabilities. She has organized and facilitated multiple events with this agency, including game nights, athletic “Lancer League” days, Christmas Cardinal Cards and pumpkin painting.

Kosciusko County Community Fairgrounds —Warsaw

1400 E Smith Street

Schedule of Events

5:00 p.m.—Taste of Ag Opens (All activities are on-going until closing unless noted otherwise.)

1400 E Smith Street

Schedule of Events

Schedule of Events

Aside from these key initiatives, Carson has served the campus and community by tutoring students at a local preschool and serving as a lead counselor for the Girl Scouts’ summer camp.

5:00 p.m.—Taste of Ag Opens

• Please enter at the Beaver Dam Stand Welcome Center (east side of fairgrounds) for complete event information

5:00 p.m.—Taste of Ag Opens

• Enjoy free food samples in the Sheep Barn (see complete menu below)

(All activities are on-going until closing unless noted otherwise.)

(All activities are on-going until closing unless noted otherwise.)

Carson will complete her student teaching requirement in the fall of 2024 and is expected to graduate in December 2024.

• Enter to win over 100 different doorprizes including gift certificates for groceries & Kosciusko County grown products at the Beaver Dam Stand Welcome Center

• Please enter at the Beaver Dam Stand Welcome Center (east side of fairgrounds) for complete event information

• Enjoy free food samples in the Sheep Barn (see complete menu below)

• Please enter at the Beaver Dam Stand Welcome Center (east side of fairgrounds) for complete event information

• Enjoy free food samples in the Sheep Barn (see complete menu below)

• Visit over 20 booths representing agriculture plant your own pizza garden, participate in fun activities to learn more about agriculture, see the animals and much more!

• Enter to win over 100 different doorprizes including gift certificates for groceries & Kosciusko County grown products at the Beaver Dam Stand Welcome Center

• Take a spin on the Ag Wheel of Knowledge and win a free t -shirt

• Enter to win over 100 different doorprizes including gift certificates for groceries & Kosciusko County grown products at the Beaver Dam Stand Welcome Center

• Scavenger hunt for the kids (pick up form at Beaver Dam Stand Welcome Center) Prizes sponsored by Maple Leaf Farms

• Visit over 20 booths representing agriculture plant your own pizza garden, participate in fun activities to learn more about agriculture, see the animals and much more!

• Visit over 20 booths representing agriculture plant your own pizza garden, participate in fun activities to learn more about agriculture, see the animals and much more!

“I have no doubt that Haley will continue to make great contributions to the field of special education after she graduates,” said Bremer. “I’m excited to see how God uses her to make a difference.”

• Take a spin on the Ag Wheel of Knowledge and win a free t -shirt

5:15 p.m.

• Take a spin on the Ag Wheel of Knowledge and win a free t -shirt

• Registration for Pedal Pull in the Show Arena. Ages 5 -10 years old.

• Scavenger hunt for the kids (pick up form at Beaver Dam Stand Welcome Center) Prizes sponsored by Maple Leaf Farms

5:15 p.m.

• Scavenger hunt for the kids (pick up form at Beaver Dam Stand Welcome Center) Prizes sponsored by Maple Leaf Farms

5:15 p.m.

• Registration for Pedal Pull in the Show Arena. Ages 5 -10 years old.

5:30 p.m. Pedal Pull Starts in Show Arena. Prizes awarded to all participants. Sponsored by the Wawasee FFA Chapter. 7:30 p.m. Taste of Ag Closes

• Registration for Pedal Pull in the Show Arena. Ages 5 -10 years old.

5:30 p.m. Pedal Pull Starts in Show Arena. Prizes awarded to all participants. Sponsored by the Wawasee FFA Chapter.

To learn more about the Grace College School of Education, visit grace.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-schools-departments/school-of-education/.

5:30 p.m. Pedal Pull Starts in Show Arena. Prizes awarded to all participants. Sponsored by the Wawasee FFA Chapter.

7:30 p.m. Taste of Ag Closes

7:30 p.m. Taste of Ag Closes

Taste

Participating Booths:

To learn more about the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children, visit indiana.exceptionalchildren.org/.

Beef Chickens Dairy Ducks Horses Rabbits Farm Bureau Crops Swine 4-H FFA Farm Machinery– Farm Service Agency Food Safety Master Gardeners Soil & Water Quality, Purdue UAV.…...And more!

Participating Booths: Beef Chickens Dairy Ducks Horses Rabbits Farm Bureau Crops Swine 4-H FFA Farm Machinery– Farm Service Agency Food Safety Master Gardeners Soil & Water Quality, Purdue UAV.…...And more!

Taste Free Samples of the following products raised in Kosciusko County: Ice Cream Beef Duck Chicken Pork Cheese Popcorn Eggs Salsa

This free event is sponsored by the Kosciusko County: griculture Awareness Committee Farm Bureau Purdue Extension, Farm Credit Mid -America

American Legion to host fundraiser

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 258, Pierceton, will host a tenderloin basket, carry-out fundraiser from 11 a.m. until sold out Saturday, April 20.

The auxiliary will be offering tenderloin baskets with french fries and coleslaw.

Kosciusko County Community Foundation & Hosted by the Kosciusko County Community Fairboard

This free event is sponsored by the Kosciusko County: Agriculture Awareness Committee Farm Bureau Purdue Extension, Farm Credit Mid -America Kosciusko County Community Foundation & Hosted by the Kosciusko County Community Fairboard

For More Information

Contact the Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Office At 574-372-2340

The public is welcome to support local veterans and active military.

LITTLEJOHN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNER Grace College elementary education and special education major Haley Carson was recently named the 2024 Dr. William Littlejohn Scholarship Award winner by the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children. Photo provided by Grace College.

Chupp gives new life to old tractors

By KEITH KNEPP Staff Writer

In his shop southwest of Nappanee, Ernie Chupp spends many hours making the world a little greener. No, he’s not a gardener or an environmentalist, but rather he helps bring antique John Deere tractors back to life, transforming them from faded, rusty pieces of equipment to vibrant, restored monuments of farming history, redressed in the famous shade of green made famous by the brand.

He also works his magic on other tractor brands and colors, but putting the green back onto a John Deere is his passion.

Chupp doesn’t paint the tractors, however. Rather, he uses a powder-coating technique. To powder coat a tractor, Chupp has to completely dismantle the tractor, then put it back together once the powder coating is applied.

“When enthusiasts first started doing tractors, they wanted the shiniest, most perfect tractor they could get,” he said. “To do that was the standard; you had to paint over everything and make it all perfect and never touch it again. They wouldn’t hardly ever run the tractor; they would just take them to places, sit round them and enjoy being around their nice machinery.

Chupp said that the next generation wanted to be able to use tractors, rather than just display them. He said that powder coating allows them to do that, as it is much more durable of a coating.

The process of powder coating requires each individual part to be sandblasted to prep the surface. The coating applied is actually a dry powder, made of the same resins and pigments found in liquid paint.

“You have to think of liquid as the vehicle (in traditional paint),” he said. “Powder coat goes on with electrostatics. The part is grounded and there’s an electric field in front of the gun that charges all the powder particles. If you turn the electric off, it all goes to

the ground.”

The powder-coated piece is then transferred into an oven, which finishes the coating, once it gets to a certain temperature for a certain length of time. After it has cooled, it is done. The total process is much quicker than painting.

Chupp said it’s much cheaper to powder coat a tractor than to use traditional, liquid paint. In fact, he said he can powder coat a machine for less than people pay to just purchase paint. Additionally, powder coating only requires only one pass, rather than the numerous coats of paint required to get the proper look.

Tractors are sent to Chupp to restore from around the country. He has several repeat customers who have brought him multiple items to powder coat. Chupp said he got into the industry when a business in New Paris, which did powder coat work for him on pony carts he was building, left the area. He saw a unmet need for the area and learned how the process worked. He purchased the equipment necessary and started his own custom powder coating to its customers. He said if it

is metal, it can be powder coated. In his shop, he has several tractors of his own that are in various stages of restoration, in addition to those he is working on for customers. He said it takes about 40 hours of raw time to dismantle, powder coat and rebuild a tractor. He estimated he has finished more

than 20 tractors.

In linear time, it takes around two months for a restoration to be completed. Chupp said the cost range to restore a tractor can be anywhere between $5,000 to $15,000, depending on how much work needs to be done.

“I probably work too cheap,”

he said. “I just appreciate people trusting me with their piece, allowing me to learn. When I do retire, I hope I can do more of it or even a better job of it. Now, I consider myself still in the learning stage, although I really know them inside and out. If you show me a part, I can tell you what it is.”

GREEN MOVEMENT A John Deere tractor restored by Ernie Chupp is ready to be picked up by its owner from Iowa. In the background are several other tractors in various stages of restoration by Chupp. Photo by Keith Knepp.

IrishMudd LLC raise pigs for market

By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer

IrishMudd LLC, located in Warsaw, began its animal adventures in 2015 with several rare and exotic avian species. After doing some research, Ethel Baker convinced her husband, Steve, into raising pigs.

“Steve and I both grew up on small farms. Steve’s family has a long history, several generations, of raising commercial-type pigs,” Ethel explained. “I grew up on a small, homestead-type farm. My family raised pigs for our own family.”

IrishMudd LLC was named after both Ethel and Steve. Steve is a Marine Corp veteran and belongs to an all-Marine Corp motorcycle club where their roadnames are Irish (Ethel) and Mudd (Steve). Steve was coined “Mudd”

after his participation in a local medieval reenactment group. Their children, Michael, Grant and Gavin, also help around the farm.

“We started with just a breeding pair and three gilts and now we have around 20 breeding stock,” Ethel explained. “We have several feeders that we are growing out because these pigs are much slower growing and on average take 12-14 months to reach full, live butcher weights, 185-225 pounds.”

Funded by grants, the Bakers are in the process of converting the hay field into a “lush pasture with many types of clover, brassicas and other types of grasses and legumes.”

“We use rotational grazing to manage our pastures and keep them from being overgrazed,” Steve explained. “The ability to

have permanent water stations, as well as a quick disconnect watering system, has allowed us to provide 24/7 access to fresh water that doesn’t involve hundreds of feet of hose.”

A lot of hard work goes into raising healthy pigs. The first step is to source good genetics from a breeder that has similar goals to your farm.

“For us, our boars are some of the most important pigs to source correctly as they are the foundation of our herd,” Ethel explained. Quality feed leads to the pig growing to its maximum size. The pigs are fed non-GMO grains, Continued on page 11

HAY BALES — Grant, Gavin and Michael Baker load up some hay bales onto a trailer. The pigs are fed a diet of non-GMO grains, pasture and hay. Photo provided by Ethel Baker.

SOW IN THE POOL One of

the Baker’s sows, Sparkle, in her favorite place to be: her pool. Photo provided by Ethel Baker.

USDA releases 2022 Census of Agriculture data

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service recently announced the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, spanning more than 6 million data points about America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them down to the county level.

The information collected directly from producers shows a continued decline in the total number of U.S. farms. However, the data also show a rise in the number of new and beginning

Continued from page 10

pasture and hay. Routinely deworming can also help increase the pig’s growth. The Bakers limit the medications given to their pigs, including antibiotics.

“On our farm we feed at a consistent time year round, so we begin feeding around 8 a.m. The prep work begins about an hour before the actual feeding,” Steve said. “Our pigs are fed twice a day, so they get fed again around 3:30-4 p.m.”

In between meal times, the Bakers rotate pens, add hay, clean pens, tend to piglets, vaccinate, deworm and clean bowls.

“There are many different

(operating 10 or fewer years on any farm) and young (under the age of 35) producers.

The full Census of Agriculture report as well as publication dates for additional ag census data products can be found at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. Ag census data can also be found in NASS’s searchable online database, Quick Stats.

“We are pleased to provide updated Census of Agriculture data to all those who serve U.S. agriculture, especially the producers who gave their time to

types of hog operations, and they all do things in a different way,” Steve mentioned. “We all serve a purpose and add value to the community.”

“We have just chosen this breed and raised the the way we do because for us this a sustainable, environmentally conscious and rewarding way to raise amazing meat for our family, friends and community,” Ethel added.

IrishMudd LLC sells product at the Winona Lake Farmers Market and the Fort Wayne Farmers Market. The Bakers run active social media accounts for the farm on Facebook and Instagram.

complete the questionnaire. Census of Agriculture data tell a story. This comprehensive snapshot every five years helps data users to see trends and shifts in the industry over time and helps producers do business,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “Overall, though there are always changes across U.S. agriculture, the data remain largely consistent with the previous ag census. Data users will also notice some new data on the topics of hemp, precision agriculture and internet access.”

Ag census data provide valuable insights into demographics, economics, land use and activities on U.S. farms and ranches such as:

• There were 1.9 million farms and ranches (down 7% from 2017) with an average size of 463 acres (up 5%) on 880 million acres of farmland (down 2%). That is 39% of all U.S. land.

• Family-owned and operated farms accounted for 95% of all U.S. farms and operated 84% of land in farms.

• U.S. farms and ranches produced $543 billion in agricultural products, up from $389 billion in 2017. With farm production expenses of $424 billion, U.S. farms had net cash income of $152 billion. Average

farm income rose to $79,790. A total of 43% of farms had positive net cash farm income in 2022.

• Farms with internet access continued to rise from 75% in 2017 to 79% in 2022.

• A total of 153,101 farms and ranches used renewable energy producing systems compared to 133,176 farms in 2017, a 15% increase. The majority of farms (76%) with renewable energy systems reported using solar panels.

• In 2022, 116,617 farms sold directly to consumers, with sales of $3.3 billion. Value of sales increased 16% from 2017.

• The 105,384 farms with sales of $1 million or more were 6% of U.S. farms and 31% of farmland; they sold more than three-fourths of all agricultural products. The 1.4 million farms with sales of $50,000 or less accounted for 74% of farms, 25% of farmland and 2% of sales.

• Nearly three-fourths of farmland was used by farms specializing in two commodity categories: oilseed and grain production (32%) and beef cattle production (40%).

• The average age of all producers was 58.1, up 0.6 years from 2017. This is a smaller increase than average age increases between prior censuses.

• There were just over 1 million farmers with 10 or fewer years of experience, an increase in the number of beginning farmers from 2017 of 11%. Beginning farmers are younger than all farmers, with an average age of 47.1.

• The number of producers under age 35 was 296,480, comprising 9% of all producers. The 221,233 farms with young producers making decisions tend to be larger than average in both acres and sales.

• In 2022, 1.2 million female producers accounted for 36% of all producers. Fifty-eight percent of all farms had at least one female decision maker. The response rate for the 2022 Census of Agriculture was 61%; more than 40% of responses were submitted online. Ag census data highlight publications are available at nass. usda.gov/Publications/Highlights.

First conducted in 1840 in conjunction with the decennial Census and conducted since 1997 by USDA NASS — the federal statistical agency responsible for producing official data about U.S. agriculture — the Census of Agriculture remains the most comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation.

Kauffman understands the benefits worms bring to no-till methods

By LAUREN ZEUGNER

When Gary Kauffman of Millersburg started using no-till methods in his farming, he attended a meeting hosted by Purdue. One of the lectures was on the benefits of worms to soil health.

Kauffman started getting interested in how worms can benefit the soil back in the 1980s. At the

time, he was working with a friend and client, Lyle Burtsfield, on farm management. Kauffman and Burtsfield’s son went to school together. Around the same time, Kauffman was encouraged to join the Soil and Water Conservation District as an associate member.

Don Sheline and Richard Snider were also influential to Kauffman when it came to soil management.

Kauffman, who attended Fair-

field High School, said he loved soils and crop judging in high school. He and buddy, Leonard Emery, farmed his grandfather’s farm, sophomore through senior year, as a soil- proficiency project.

By 1988, Kauffman was chairman of the SWCD and attended a meeting in Illinois where they were discussing beneficial insects, including several types of worms.

“Witnessing the man-made ver-

worm bore holes and worms.

He found several large night crawlers and red worms in this sample. Worms are beneficial to the soil, helping break down crop residue, filtering rain water and providing nutrients. Photo by

WORM HUT — What may look like a clump of debris in a wheat field is actually a worm hut.

A worm pulled this debris over a worm hole to provide some protection. The hut also filters rain water before it gets to the top soil.

Soil around worm huts like this tend to be very well fertilized.

sions of soil runoff and how it (top soil) gets carried away in the erosion was enough to convince me that there has to be a better way,” he said.

Wander through a wheat field and you may see small mounds of debris between the rows of plants. While it may be crop residue left from the last cutting, those small mounds are actually worm huts.

Worms need crop residue and other residue from cover crops to survive. They break the residue down in the huts, creating very fertile soil.

These small huts filter rain water before it reaches the top soil. Worms also excrete a mucus along their body as they bore into the soil.

This mucus, called worm castings, helps provide nutrients such as nitrogen to the soil. The bore holes the worms make also help aerate the soil, allowing rain water to seep down deeper to the roots.

Kauffman explained in a no-till operation, decent tile drainage is needed. Aerating the soil helps water get to the roots easier.

“The more worms you have per acre, the more water can infiltrate (the soil),” he said.

Having one worm per square foot is good; having more worms per square foot is better.

Kauffman explained using no-till methods and proper soil management can take moderate soil to a higher level.

“When you don’t till the soil, it acts like it has 2 inches of rain,” he said.

With no till, there is more organic matter. Worms help break the

Continued on page 13

LOOKING FOR WORMS Gary Kauffman looks through a shovelful of soil. He’s looking for

Lauren Zeugner.

Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

Cattle farming a longstanding but evolving field

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Doug Shock has been a full-time cattle farmer since graduating from high school in 1976. He and his son, Hayden, work together on the farm their family has held onto for the past 150 years.

In all that time, Shock has seen changes in the industry.

Shock had dairy cows for many years, but switched exclusively to raising cows for beef in 1989. The herd consists of limousine and Black Angus. Shock pointed to cattle farming being less time consuming than dairy farming as a point in its favor.

“I’d say dairy has changed more than beef, with all the technology and robot stuff they do,” said Hayden.

There are currently about 40 cattle. The Shocks try to manage their numbers so as not to burn through pasture. About 5% of their income is from cattle, the rest coming from grain farming. The Shocks feed their cattle with hay they grow themselves.

“It changed a lot in 2002 when we switched to round bailing,” Shock said. “Everything’s done with loaders. We’ll do 55, 60 (acres) with just two of us. We couldn’t do that with square bailing. It simplifies the feeding side and labor side.” Over time, they’ve decreased their hay production somewhat to focus on growing better quality hay for the cows.

Shock suggested that Indiana farms haven’t felt the effects of recent weather patterns as strongly as those further west.

“We’re in a part of the country where we don’t get the extremes as much as Kansas and Texas. ... We’re looking at a three- to four-year cycle where it’s been dry from North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, all the way down into Texas. That means pasture’s been short.

“They’ve been selling adult cows the last three years since they don’t have the pasture to hay and feed them. ... so we’re working on two years where the numbers have been down. ... The numbers haven’t come back up and they probably won’t for another year or two. Overall, demand for beef has not dropped, but when you’re tighter on supply it’ll drive the price,” he explained.

The Shock operation is affected by this; however, in that the demand for their freezer beef has gone up.

“Because the prices have skyrocketed in the stores, people want to stock up. It’s a big price tag at

Continued from page 12

organic matter down, which helps fertilize the soil. The worms eat fresh and decaying material as they tunnel into the soil.

Armed with a shovel, Kauffman goes out to his wheat field. He turns over a shovel full of dirt. The first thing that’s noticeable is the soil is two shades of brown, with the 2 inches of soil closest to the surface being darker.

Kauffman works the soil through his hands. He’s looking for bore holes and worms. The soil, being damp, clumps as he works through it, while night crawlers and red worms try to find their way back into the soil.

once but it’s cheaper in the long run,” said Hayden.

Other changes in the operation concern the balance of cost and efficiency. Supplies and equipment, for example, have to be taken into account.

“... One fertilizer in our mix is 800 and some dollars a ton. Fifteen years ago, we were in the 200s, and it’s consistently staying up. All of our fertilizers are up quite a bit, everything we plant gets fertilized, so that’s a major expense for us. ... And with tractors and equipment, we’ve got a major expense there, and fuel, that doesn’t go away. Granted, the tractors are more efficient and they’re bigger and you can run more through them, but you still have to burn fuel,” Shock said.

“Diesel’s twice as much as it used to be 10, 15 years ago,” Hayden added. “It’s more efficient but it probably costs more, but you can get more done in a day so you can make more quality. There’s pros and cons. There’s no way we’d be able to do the acres of hay we did, just the two of us square bailing.”

Shock also pointed to changes caused by the pandemic that are still being felt today. Butcher booking, for instance, is a trickier process than it used to be. Their beef is processed by local butchers in Wakarusa and Nappanee.

With packing plants closed during the pandemic, local butchers became overwhelmed. For farmers, it was hard to determine whether a cow would even be ready to butcher by the time a slot was available.

Prior to COVID-19, Shock said, he could schedule with a butcher shop a month or two in advance. Nowadays, it might be eight to twelve months.

“A lot of the push now is for sustainability and animal welfare,” Shock mentioned. “We’ve got a barn, we’ve got water and hay, we’ve got supplements. We always try to take care of them. ... But everybody’s trying to improve.”

CHANGING TIMES Doug Shock, a cattle farmer since 1976, holds the gate open for his son, Hayden, to steer a tractor loaded with hay for the cows into their pen. Shock said farm equipment has become more efficient over time, but costs have also gone up. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

NG FARMING

Urban Healthy Soils program provides free soil testing

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

The Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District is offering free soil testing for small farms through its Urban Healthy Soils program.

To qualify for the program, one must be a resident of Kosciusko County with a farm of 10 acres or less. The operation can be identified as a small farm, market garden, flower farm, community garden, value added product producer, pasture or home vegetable garden. Lawns or flower beds do not qualify.

“A soil test involves an initial site visit from our staff or a volunteer with a landowner to assess and discuss resource concerns they have about their

small farm or garden,” explained Aleah Southworth, a Conservation Program Field Technician in charge of the Urban Healthy Soils Program.

During the visit, a soil sample is pulled and sent to A&L Great Lakes Laboratories in Fort Wayne for testing.

After the test results are in, SWCD will provide landowners with technical assistance.

“Technical assistance includes help with interpreting soil sample test results, nutrient recommendations, application timing, and a packet loaded with local resources. We will also help review options for planning and implementation of soil health practices, if needed,” said Southworth.

“The soil test results combined with the data collected

during the site visit helps us give the best recommendations for a successful growing season,” she added.

Soil testing is necessary for nutrient management, as a lack or overabundance of any nutrient in the soil can result in a poor harvest or damage to the surrounding environment.

“With each site visit through the program, we provide education to our community on how the treatment of our land has a lasting impact on our environment,” Southworth concluded.

Anyone interested in a soil test can fill out a form on SWCD’s website at kosciuskoswcd.org/kuhs-kosciusko-urban-healthy-soils.

More information on upcoming workshops — including a

farm tour and soil health talk at Hawkins Family Farm, 10373 N. CR 300E, North Manchester, July 19 — is also available on

the SWCD’s website.

The annual cover crop giveaway is in the works and will be announced in July.

Indiana remains a top agricultural state, according to new census

According to the newly-released agricultural census data from The United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, Indiana remains a top agricultural state, with agricultural products valued at over $18 billion.

“This data shows that agriculture remains a pillar of the Indi-

ana economy with the total value of agriculture production growing 62% over the five-year period,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, secretary of agriculture and rural development. “The Census of Agriculture is all encompassing, and it allows us to compare ourselves to fellow states, whether that is in ranking of commodities, prices, demographics and more.”

The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land — whether rural or urban — growing fruit, vegetables or some food animals count if $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year.

The Census of Agriculture, taken only once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures.

“We are thankful for all the farmers who completed the survey. This data allows our department to provide accurate and reliable information and data to Hoosiers, to farmers and to decision makers,” said Don Lamb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture director. “The data comes out every five years and it’s always exciting to see our statewide growth.”

Data from the census shapes programs and initiatives that benefit Indiana farmers, expands access to resources that help farmers and help farmers diversify into new markets, including local and regional food systems, specialty crops and organic production.

Listed below are some highlights from the 2022 Census of Agriculture for Indiana.

Indiana rankings:

• Number one producer of popcorn, gourds and duck.

• Number two producer of pumpkins.

• Number three producer of spearmint and turkeys.

• Number four producer of peppermint and soybeans.

• Number five producing state for corn and hogs.

• Number six producer of shell/contracted eggs and watermelons.

• Number 10 producing state for maple syrup and hemp for floral (CBD and other cannabinoid usage).

• Total value of agricultural production over $18 billion at 65% crops and 35% livestock (up from $11.1 billion in 2017, a 62% increase).

Land data:

• Number of farms is 53,599.

• Land in farms 14.6 million acres.

Continued on page 15

Mentone family grows flowers from seed to bloom

By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer

Emily Dennie was working as a schoolteacher when she started helping her parents on their farm, Creation Celebration in Mentone. When she found her true passion, she quit her teaching job to pursue growing flowers full time.

Creation Celebration is a family-run produce farm owned by Mark and Melanie Vanlaningham, Dennie’s parents.

The family business offers locally and ethically-grown fruit, vegetables and flowers.

They purchased an old farmhouse on 18 acres in October 2010.

“At the time, we weren’t sure what the future would hold, but God moved and we followed,” said the Vanlaninghams.

In 2012, they planted an orchard. In 2015, they built a hightunnel greenhouse and a shop, and in 2016, officially opened for business.

Dennie also works on the farm and is in charge of the flower side.

“We grow cut flowers from spring until fall. We have flowers available in our shop weekly. We have grab-and-go bouquets at our roadside stand, and we also will take orders for pickup or delivery,” she said.

The business carries a wide variety of flowers and grows cut flowers from spring until fall.

It grows annuals such as snap dragons, and ranunculus, lisianthus, zinnias, sunflowers, gladiolus and dahlias.

“There will be about 600 lisianthus,” said Dennie. “We have field flowers, too. A third of it is solely outside production.”

Perennials such as lilies, irises, yarrow, peonies and fever few are

Indiana

Continued from page 14

• Average farm size 272 acres.

• Top five Indiana counties with the largest number of farms: LaGrange, Elkhart, Allen, Adams and Daviess.

• Top five Indiana counties with the highest value of agriculture production: Jay, Jasper, Elkhart, LaGrange and Dubois.

Demographics:

• Indiana has 94,282 farmers (30,691 female and 63,321 male).

• Average age of the Hoosier farmer is 56 years old.

• Young producers (those under 35 years old) total 11,058

also grown on the farm.

It carries mixed bouquets, arrangements, and by the stem (mix and match) for small and large events, such as weddings. The business also hosts flower bar workshops.

“Our typical season starts in May and ends in November. We are able to extend our growing season by planting inside of our high-tunnel greenhouses. We also offer farm workshops and tours throughout our growing season,” said Dennie, adding they now have three tunnel greenhouses.

“It extends the growing season,” Dennis said of the greenhouses. “We also have a grow room where we start everything by seed.”

And if you are looking for fresh produce, well, they have that as well. All of the produce is grown right on the farm. Fresh herbs are available in season, a venture they started last year.

“We have another greenhouse that has cucumbers, peppers and lettuce,” said Dennie. “We have walls of tomatoes and cucumbers.”

Interested in dried flowers or potted plants? Dennie said they have those, too.

“I dry everything that doesn’t sell,” she said. “It is trending now.”

Dennis said the farm is her “happy place” and August is her favorite time.

“I like to see bees and wasps. I let them buzz and fly around,” Dennie smiled.

Creation Celebration is hosting its opening day Saturday, April 27.

For more information, visit creation-celebration.com or facebook.com/creationcelebration1, email creationcelebration@gmail. com or call (574) 551-1249.

with the average age as 28.7 years old.

• New and beginning farmers (those with less than 10 years experience) total 26,428 with the average age as 43.2 years old.

• Producers with military service totals 6,621.

Additional USDA, Ag Census data will be coming out throughout the year, including the market value of ag products sold, state and county profiles, race, ethnicity and gender profiles, watershed information, specialty crops, aquaculture and more; see all those at nass.usda.gov.

GROWING IN THE GREENHOUSE — Mark and Melanie Vanlaningham, far left, tend to plants in their greenhouse while daughter, Emily Dennie, waters hanging flower baskets. The family-run business is located in Mentone and offers a variety of fresh flowers. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.

S PRI NG FARMING Goons grow grain on family farm

By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer

“A typical day depends on what season we are in but it always starts with family,” Misty Goon said. “We have breakfast and get our kids off to school, if school is in session. During summer spraying, the kids get to go out with us.”

The Goon family owns Mt. Ruska Valley Farm. On the farm, they grow corn, soybeans and wheat. However, the family is “continually looking to grow other crops to expand our farm portfolio.”

Scot Goon has been a farmer his entire life. Logan and Ariel Goon, he and Misty’s children, are eighth- generation farmers on some of the land the family owns. Misty has been farming since her and Scot became a couple.

“When our season begins is a tricky question. It’s more weather determinant rather than according to a specific date,” Misty explained. “For example, we will be spraying nitrogen on our wheat in the last week of March this year; when last year, we were beginning in mid-April.”

“It depends on temperature, how wet the soil is and if we can get across it with our equipment,” Scot mentioned.

“Spraying is generally the first thing that happens in the fields in the spring time,”

Misty said.

However, for a planting day, the preparation typically begins the night before.

“We load the planter with seed and liquids so the next morning we can just transport and plant,”Scot explained. “Sometimes we even go ahead and transport the tractor and planter to the field the night before just so it’s there and ready to go.”

“Once we get to the field the next morning, we start the tractor, load the field on the screen and begin planting, reloading the planter and liquid as needed,” Misty said. “Depending what we are planting determines how many acres we can plant on a fill up.”

Technology in grain farming has made great strides since Scot has started farming. The progression of technology used in farming equipment has made farming easier and more efficient.

“Just in Scot’s lifetime, he was taught to plant on a John Deere 5020 open station tractor with the most basic electrical components out there,” Misty explained. “Now, we have a tractor with auto steer, climate control, a suspension that makes it feel like you’re riding on a cloud and it even has the capability of turning itself.”

“Just these features are a tremendous improvement,” Scot said. “Farmers do not get worn

out as fast as we used to.”

A problem the Goon family, and many other farmers, are running into is the price of farmland. Scot recalled a childhood memory of hearing his father say he couldn’t believe someone had paid $3,000 per acre for farm ground. Today, similar farm ground can go for $15,000 per acre.

Another major problem plaguing the farming community is many farming companies are merging, creating large conglomerates and creating less and less competition — essentially stripping the farmers

away from their buying power.

In addition to the family farm, the Goons also owns an agriculture equipment repair

business, Mt. Ruska Repair LLC. They specialize in repairing and maintaining John Deere combines but has experience working on other brands of equipment, too.

“With two kids, a farm and a business, life gets a bit busy and hectic much of the time,” Scot mentioned.

“But we have God and each other to see us through the hard times and the joyful ones,” Misty agreed with a smile.

GRAIN FARMING  The grain farming season is weather determinant rather than according to a specific date. The Goon family began spraying nitrogen last week, in March, whereas last year, they began spraying midApril. Photo provided by Misty Goon.

THE GOON FAMILY Scot Goon, left, has been farming all of his life. He and Misty’s children, Ariel and Logan, are eighth-generation farmers on some of the land the family owns. Misty began farming when she and Scot became a couple. Photo provided by Misty Goon.

S PRI NG FARMING

Ag Census finds fewer American farms with 880 million acres

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service published data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture, a release that happens every five years.

Among the most significant highlights was a decrease in the total number of farms in the U.S. from 2.04 million in 2017 to 1.9 million in 2022.

Here are some other selected highlights:

“In 2022, U.S. farms and ranches produced $543.1 billion in agricultural products, up from $388.5 billion in 2017,” the report said. “Crop and livestock commodities each accounted for approximately half of the total, with crops accounting for 52% of the value. In 2022, the value of crop sales exceeded livestock sales.”

“As in 2017, California was the largest provider of agricultural products, with sales of $59 billion, 11% of the U.S. total,” the report said. “The top nine U.S. counties are in California, and the top county, Fresno, had larger agriculture sales than 23 individual states.”

The top 10 states for production in 2022 were, in order: California, Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, North Carolina, Indiana and Wisconsin.

“Cattle and calves was the top ranked commodity, with $89.4 billion in sales,” the report said. “Texas was the top state in cattle and calves sales, accounting for 17% of the U.S.

“The largest farms (sales of $5 million or more) accounted for fewer than 1% of all farms but 42% of all sales,” the report said. “Farms with sales of $50,000 or less accounted for 74% of farms and 2% of sales.”

total. The top five commodities accounted for $363 billion in sales, 67% of U.S. total agricultural sales.”

The top five commodities were, in order: cattle and calves, corn, poultry and eggs, soybeans and milk.

“In 2022, 3.4 million producers operated 1.9 million farms covering 880.1 million acres that generated food, fuel and fiber for Americans and people around the world,” the report said. “The number of producers did not significantly change, while the number of farms decreased 6.9% (2.04 million to 1.9 million) since 2017 when the last ag census was conducted.”

“While the number of producers between the ages of 35-64 declined 9%, the number of producers 65 and over increased 12%, continuing the trend of an aging producer population,”

U.S. pork exports set record in 2023

U.S. pork exports set a new value record in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The U.S. pork industry shipped $8.16 billion of product to foreign destinations last year, topping the previous record set in 2021 of just under $8.11 billion.

While 2023’s volume of 2.906 million metric tons was down from 2020’s record 2.986 million MT, it was the third highest on record.

Mexico was the No. 1 volume and value market for U.S. pork producers in 2023, taking 1.1 million MT of pork valued at more than $2.35 billion. Other countries in the top five U.S. markets were, in value order: Japan, which imported more than 342,000 MT valued at nearly $1.4 billion; China, almost 505,000 MT values at $1.27 billion; Canada, just under 220,000 MT valued at about $876 million;

and South Korea, which took more than 191,000 MT valued at more than $633 million.

Countries that had significant value increases in U.S. pork imports over 2022, albeit from smaller baselines, were: Australia (86%), El Salvador (25%), Guatemala (29%), Malaysia (1,558%), New Zealand (42%), and Vietnam (37%). NPPC con-

tinues to work to expand market access globally.

Exports represent an important component of total pork demand and accounted for 25% of U.S. production in 2023 — a 1.5% increase from 2022. The $8.2 billion in export value equates to $64 in value from each hog that was marketed in 2023, up 4% from 2022.

the report said. “The number of young producers, those under 35, also increased slightly.”

Those increases mean the average age of U.S. producers is now “58.1 years, up .6 years from 2017.”

Female producers continued to account for 36% of the total number of U.S. producers, the same percentage as recorded in the 2017 Census.

“Male producers had higher rates of involvement in land use and/or crop, livestock and marketing decisions than female producers,” the report said. “Female producers were most involved in day-to-day, record keeping and financial management decisions.”

For ethnicity and race, “3.2 million producers are white, 95% of the U.S. total,” the report said. The second largest

group, Hispanic, accounts for 3% of the total.

“Beginning farmers have 10 or fewer years of farming experience,” the report said. “New and beginning producers increased in both the number of producers and share of all producers. Slightly over 1 million of the 3.4 million producers in 2022 were beginning farmers. Their average age was 47.1, and their farms were smaller than average in both acres and sales.”

The top 10 states, by percent of beginning producers in the state, in 2022 were: Rhode Island (41.4%), Alaska (38.7%), Maine (35.9%), Colorado (35.6%), New Hampshire (35.3%), Hawaii (35.2%), Georgia (34.4%), Idaho (34.1%), Nevada (33.9%), and Florida (33.9%).

APC tables preliminary plat proposal in North Webster

By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer

Due to visibility and traffic issues, a preliminary plat proposal was tabled at the regular meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission Wednesday, April 3.

Morgedy’s petition for preliminary plat approval is for a commercial subdivision on an 18.886 acre tract of ground.

The property is located on the east side of SR 13, north of CR 400N in North Webster.

Loose Moose Motorsports wants to move its operations to the site for retail sales, such as ATVs. The big question is how traffic can access the property in the safest manner. The petitioner’s attorney, Steve Snyder, said the most logical and safest manner is on CR 400N. It is the most cost effective, too, he said.

SR 13 is one of the issues at the intersection.

Snyder argued, stating that “we meet INDOT’s requirements.”

“This is not an accident-prone intersection,” Snyder stated.

A traffic study was conducted.

Sixteen accidents have been reported in a 10-year time period, but no fatalities. An engineer said, “it is an extremely dangerous intersection.”

Saint Andrews United Methodist Church in Syracuse requested a petition to rezone 2.23 acres from a public use district to a commercial district.

The property is located on the west side of Long Drive, east of Indiana Avenue.

A Syracuse resident wants to buy the property and use it as a storage and warehouse, which is a permitted use, according to a zoning ordinance.

“It’s a safer entrance,” Snyder said. “We propose moving the access to CR 400 as far east as we can. It’s a major intersection.”

“It’s a safer entrance,” Snyder said. “We propose moving the access to CR 400 as far east as we can. It’s a major intersection.”

Visibility to the south and the north was the major issue. According to INDOT, a recommended distance for traffic visibility is 633 feet, Snyder noted.

APC Director Matt Sandy, however, disagreed, showing board members a video of the intersection. He said the area is “heavily traveled” and traffic visibility on

A property owner who lives near the site said he has had nothing but problems with the existing owner.

Brian and Christine Hinderer, who live on CR 400, said they deal with noise and litter, among other issues.

“This is the stuff I am dealing with,” he said.

He said no buffer, fences or trees were ever planted to keep the noise and view from being a problem. If an exception use is granted, buffers could become a part of the petition if approved.

After debating the visibility issues, the board decided to table the case until next month’s meeting. The county highway department will also be consulted on the matter for its suggestion.

The petition was given a favorable recommendation. It will go before the Syracuse Town Council at 7 p.m. April 16.

Eric and Cara Erlenwein’s petition for preliminary plat approval for an agricultural II subdivision on a 20.33 acre tract of ground was approved.

The property is located on the north side of CR 900 North, east of SR 13 in Turkey Creek Township.

An ordinance pertaining to cargo containers will be heard at the next meeting, which is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 1. The public is invited. The revised ordinance may be approved at the meeting, depending on the outcome at next month’s meeting.

Two men, Dale and Adam Custer, said they are in favor of the ordinance as is the chamber of commerce, Warsaw, and other businesses, according to a petition. Both men own businesses in Warsaw, one being self-storage units.

Stoltzfus, RN, receives Goshen Health’s DAISY Award

Alyssa Stoltzfus, a registered nurse in Goshen Hospital’s intensive care unit, received the organization’s DAISY Award for the compassionate, expert care she provided a father in the intensive care unit.

The nomination from the patient’s daughter Luann (last name not supplied), read: “Alyssa often has Dad on her caseload when he is in the ICU. She is fun, bubbly and upbeat. Her personality really lifts Dad’s spirits. This hospitalization specifically she advocated for Dad’s health and requested the ICU specialist take over his case for a few days. “She encourages Dad to do as much on his own as possible. When he is not on her caseload, she pops in to see him. … She worked hard to get Dad off the blood pressure medication but was also careful not to get him off too soon. Dad calls her ‘Sarge.’ … She constantly goes above and beyond to make sure Dad is comfortable. She made

sure the staff taking care of Dad when she wasn’t there knew his likes and dislikes. She is amazing!”

“I am very honored to receive this award and so thankful I have the privilege to care for our patients and their families,” said Stoltzfus.

The DAISY Award is part of an international program honoring the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Foundation promotes and distributes the awards on behalf of the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who established the foundation after he died from complications of an autoimmune disease. They wanted to say thank you to the nurses who cared so lovingly for him during his hospitalization. To learn more, visit DAISYFoundation.org.

To nominate a nurse at Goshen Health for the DAISY Award, go to GoshenHealth.com/About-Us/ DAISY-Award

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Walls Ceilings

Walls Ceilings

Walls Ceilings

Window And Door Trim Stairways

Window And Door Trim Stairways

Window And Door Trim Stairways

Woodwork Staining

Woodwork Staining

Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Small Patch Repair

Woodwork Staining

Small Patch Repair

Drywall Repair

Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Drywall Repair

Small Patch Repair

Great Service – Reasonable Rates

Great Service – Reasonable Rates

Drywall Repair

References Available Upon Request.

References Available Upon Request.

574-304-5075

Great Service – Reasonable Rates

574-304-5075

References Available Upon Request. 574-304-5075

DAISY AWARD WINNER — Goshen Hospital registered nurse Alyssa Stoltzfus received the organization’s DAISY Award for the compassionate, expert care she provided a father in the hospital’s intensive care unit. Photo provided by Goshen Health System.

Lila Carmen O’Connell Self-Taught Artist

Lila Carmen O’Connell, Pierceton, passed away at 2:03 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Parkview Kosciusko Hospital in Warsaw at the age of 98.

She was born on June 30, 1925, in Peru, to Mary Bernice (Hopper) Mull and Homer Grant Mull. Lila’s incredible life started with fond memories of her parents and grandparents doting on her, even affording her the ability to participate in dance, voice and piano lessons. This began her lifelong love of playing piano, especially playing often on her prized baby grand piano.

Lila attended Peru High School and was in the honor society and president of the student body graduating in 1943. While finishing high school, her fiancé, Thomas O’Connell, was attending the ROTC wartime program at Wabash College. They married at St. Charles Catholic Church in Peru on Aug. 28, 1943, which soon began Navy life for the couple. After serving, Tom was discharged in Oakland, Calif. They, along with their firstborn child, returned and settled in Peru. Family life flourished having nine children in Peru and then moved to Warsaw, where the 10th and final child was born.

Lila was an entrepreneur all her adult life, which started when still living in Peru, and she was in sales for Stanley Home Products for nearly 10 years. In 1971, the family bought and operated the O’Connell’s Poolside Motel for over a decade. Lila was a sales representative for Combined Life Insurance, followed by a long stint working as a sales representative for the National Federation of Independent Business, retiring in 1987. Lila owned and maintained several apartments over the years. Her small business experience allowed her to acquire several Pizza King restaurants in a joint venture with her sons.

As a Gold Star Family with the loss of their son in the Vietnam War, the family started the Michael G. O’Connell Award at St. Charles Catholic School in Peru until they closed, and still today at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Warsaw.

Lila was a self-taught artist and instrumental in opening the first Lakeland Art Center and Gallery in 1993. Serving in many positions including executive director, president and gallery manager, she was successful in organizing various fundraisers for LAA and won many awards throughout the years for her artwork. She had many hobbies, including double deck bid euchre and was an avid bridge player playing in many leagues, often with her sons, up to her passing. She was always a reader of books and newspapers. She loved bird watching and was a member of the Audubon Society. Lila loved to travel around the U.S., Canada, England, France, Italy, Germany, Russia and Mexico.

In 2000, Lila moved and lived in Pierceton until her passing. Her entrepreneurial spirit continued, as she served in many community organizations including the free community dinners at her parish, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church as well as other local churches. She held art fairs and several Wine and Jazz events. Lila was an avid Republican supporter assisting and attending many fundraisers over the years. Her family will miss her yearly April Fool’s joke she spent so much time planning and always fooled many. She was concocting the next one just days before her passing.

Lila loved and cherished her 10 children, 18 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She attended many school and extracurricular events whenever she could. She loved having our large family get-togethers, including last summer for her 98th and final birthday celebration. Lila always loved having a great time and will be forever missed by her family, friends and acquaintances.

She will be lovingly remembered by her three sons, Thomas (Cindy) O’Connell III, Venice, Fla., Patrick (Jonell) O’Connell, Warsaw, and James O’Connell, Warsaw; and five daughters, Carolyn (Jon) Bumbaugh, Boyertown, Pa., Mary Kathleen Slattery, Rochester, Laura Grow, Pierceton, Tammy (Randy) Barber, North Manchester, and Teresa O’Connell, Dayton, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Michael Grant O’Connell, in 1969; daughter, Judith Howell, in 1997; her twin grandchildren, Michael and Michelle O’Connell; grandson, Thomas O’Connell IV; and her brother, Ralph Richard Mull.

Lila’s life was celebrated with a memorial service at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Deacon Fred Cruz of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Pierceton. Friends and family visited prior to the service from noon to 3 p.m. She was laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Lakeland Art Association, 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, IN 46580; Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School, 125 N. Harrison St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 408 W. Catholic St., Pierceton, IN 46562.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.

Juanita Rose Miller

Former Owner Of Sleepy Owl Supper Club

Juanita Rose Miller, 89, Syracuse, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

She was born on May 3, 1934, to the late John T. Barrett and Wanda M. (Till) Simmons of Fort Wayne.

After graduating from Central Catholic High School, she married Frank H. Miller Jr. on July 24, 1954. Juanita and Frank shared almost 60 years together in marriage. They made Syracuse their home in 1972. The couple owned and operated the nostalgic MaryAnn Drive-In Restaurant and the iconic Sleepy Owl Supper Club. Nita later worked as executive secretary to the president of Commadore Homes in Goshen before her retirement in 2014. She loved her work.

She is survived by her four sons, Nicholas A. Miller, Los Angeles, Calif., Gary L. Miller, Syracuse, Anthony J. Miller, Syracuse, and Christopher A. Miller, Wilmington. She is also survived by her sister, Marjorie Haecker, Fort Wayne; her sister-in-law, Norma Hinsey, Chicago, Ill.; her brother-in-law, Ted Lepird, Fort Wayne; her daughter-inlaw, Rachel Miller, Wilmington; her son-in-law, James Cole, Syracuse; and her six grandchildren, Josh Cole, Blake Miller, Amber Ball, Austin Ball, Grant Miller and Reagan Miller.

She was preceded by her daughter Lisa K. (Miller) Cole (2007); her husband, Frank H. Miller (2014); and by her siblings, Mary Jane Goff, Fort Wayne, William Simmons Jr., Fort Wayne, and Donald J. Simmons, Fort Wayne.

There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Syracuse Cemetery with Pastor Brad Cox officiating. Titus Funeral Home of Syracuse is entrusted with the care of Juanita and her family. To leave a condolence or send flowers, please visit titusfuneralhome.com.

Jaymin Aguilar

Jaymin Aguilar, 21, Mentone, died March 29, 2024.

He was born Aug. 20, 2002.

He is survived by his mother, Jessica Puga, Mentone; his father, John Aguilar, West Virginia; siblings, Allison Aguilar and Ivan Puga, both of Mentone, Kaila Fuller and Tyler Blain, both of Warsaw, and April Wade; paternal grandmother, Diane Casper, Warsaw; and a nephew. Private services will be held at a later date. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, Warsaw, was in charge of arrangements.

Debra Anderson

Debra Anderson, 66, Milford, died April 3, 2024.

Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of North Webster.

Harold Bertram Baase

Harold Bertram Baase, 76, Cromwell, died March 28, 2024.

He was born Aug. 3, 1947. On Feb. 21, 1981, he married Gayle L. Fox; she survives.

Also surviving are sons, Martin Uhrich, Greenville, Mich., and Gabriel Baase, Cromwell; daughters, Lenora Baase, Saginaw, Mich., and Gaylynn Dixon, Cromwell; seven grandsons; sisters, Patricia Boucher, Linda Sykes and Ellen Emmendorfer, all of Saginaw County, Mich., and Shirley Tessin, Romeo, Mich.; sistersin-law, Adele Williams, Charlevoix, Mich., Valerie Northcutt, Sparta, Mich., and Wendy Willett, Argos; brothers-in-law, Wayne Fox, Charlevoix, Mich., and Scott Fox, Potterville, Mich.; his beloved dog, Chica; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Marshall Baker

Marshall Baker, 84, Topeka, died March 27, 2024.

He was born July 8, 1939. On Dec. 23, 1961, he married Peggy Colwell. She preceded him in death Feb. 18, 2015.

Surviving are daughters, Sharon Johnson, Topeka, and Lori Shrock, Ligonier; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Seba Hanko, Lexington, Ky., Helen Dixon and Thelma King, both of Michigan, and Barb Owens, El Paso, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were held April 9 at Yeager Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery, Topeka.

14, 1948, he married Emma “Maxine” Mast, who preceded him in death in 2007.

Surviving are daughters, Theresa Overman, Goshen, and Peggy Coon, Leesburg; daughter-in-law, Nancy Yoder, Pettisville, Ohio; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Martha Sommers and Clara Keim, both of Goshen.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. funeral service Saturday, April 13, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. A private burial will take place at Christner Cemetery, Kokomo.

Roberta Joan Carpenter

Roberta Joan Carpenter, 97, Syracuse, formerly of Goshen, died April 2, 2024.

She was born Aug. 27, 1926. On Nov. 11, 1945, she married Willis “Bill” Carpenter. He preceded her in death Aug. 19, 2002.

Surviving are daughters, Vickie Shuder, Syracuse, and Susan Dietz, Millersburg; sons, Jim Carpenter, Osceola, and Jeff Carpenter, Hale, Mich.; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Services were held April 5 at YoderCulp Funeral Home, Goshen. Burial was in Rock Run Cemetery, Goshen.

Linda Pauline Chrisman

Linda Pauline Chrisman, 87, Ligonier, died March 30, 2024.

Emery Dale Bontrager

Emery Dale Bontrager, 94, Leesburg, died March 28, 2024. He was born Feb. 6, 1930. On Aug.

She was born July 1, 1936. On May 17, 1957, she married Donald Richard Chrisman. He preceded her in death Oct. 14, 2018.

Continued on page 20

Let Us Show You The Difference A Caring Neighbor Can Make!

As neighbors, we are there when needed most. With a skilled and caring staff. With a warm comforting atmosphere. With answers and options few funeral homes can offer. So remember our name. We're close in all the ways you need.

Testimonials

"Cory goes above and beyond for the families in his care. There were so many small details that were just the perfect touch."

"Our family could not have asked for funeral services that were better than what Titus Funeral Home provided. Thank you!"

"Cory and the staff at Titus were incredible. They walked along side of us when my mom passed and they just went above and beyond with every detail and this was such a comfort when we couldn't even think straight. They covered every detail as if it were their own loved one."

"They listened and heard our cries. They took care of every little detail. We sincerely are grateful for their kindness and compassion through this."

JUANITA ROSE MILLER

LILA CARMEN O’CONNELL

Bobi Doll, Dawn Calveledge, Kristene Harris, Cory Benz, Eldonna Warren

Continued from page 19

Surviving are daughters, Fay Jane, Cathy Shaw, Sally Sell and Robyn Chrisman; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were held April 10 at Ligonier Missionary Church. Yeager Funeral Home, Ligonier, was in charge of arrangements.

Rowdy Wayne Clark

Rowdy Wayne Clark, 22, died March 23, 2024.

He was born Jan. 16, 2002.

He is survived by his father, Philip Clark, Estancia, N.M.; his mother, Heather Soos Clark, Albuquerque, N.M.; a half brother, Michael Moses, California; paternal grandparents, David and Sharron Martin, Cromwell; maternal grandmother, Emma Soos, New Mexico; and several uncles and cousins.

A memorial service to celebrate Rowdy’s life will be held at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, April 23, at McReynoldsNave & Larson Funeral Home in Clarksville, Tenn.

Monroe Damron

Monroe Damron, 77, Goshen, died April 2, 2024.

He was born June 11, 1946. On June 13, 1993, he married Mary H. Bragg; she survives.

He is also survived by a son, Brian K. Damron, Goshen; stepchildren, Stacey L. Lutes and Lawrence J. Kincaid, both of Goshen, Paula M. Kincaid, Millersburg, and Georgetta Y. Shiverdecker, Sidney, Ohio; nine grandchildren; and 14 greatgrandchildren.

Services were held April 5 at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. Cremation took place after the service.

Gayle T. Dickey

Gayle T. Dickey, 77, died March 31, 2024.

She was born Dec. 21, 1946. On Sept. 28, 2006, she married Clarence G. Dickey; he survives.

She is also survived by a daughter, Wendy King, Warsaw; stepchildren, Todd Dickey and Lisa Ebbinghouse; three grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and a greatgrandson.

McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.

Roger Allen Drudge

Roger Allen Drudge, 74, Columbia City, died at 8:45 a.m. April 2, 2024.

He was born May 17, 1949. On July 2, 1999, he married Lynne M. Harris. She preceded him in death June 12, 2019.

She is survived by a daughter, Michelle A. Drudge, Fort Wayne; stepdaughter, Stefanie Branning; eight grandchildren; and sisters, Elaine Rager, Fort Wayne, and Marilyn Sterk, Claypool.

Services were held April 6 at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with military honors.

Terry Lynn Ellis

Terry “Fuzz” Lynn Ellis, 78, Argos, died at 4:20 a.m. April 2, 2024.

He was born March 13, 1946. On March 7, 1969, he married Diana

Lynn Smiley; she survives.

Also surviving are his children, Cheryl Shoup, Huntington, Tammy Tuley, New Palestine, Craig Ellis, Argos, Jason Ellis, Clayton, and Jody O’Dell, New Palestine; eight grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Farkas, South Bend, and Sharon Schretzle, Bourbon; and brothers, Gary Ellis, Live Oak, Texas, Marion Ellis Jr. and Randy Ellis, South Bend.

Services were held April 10 at Walnut Church, Argos. Burial was in Walnut Church Cemetery. EarlGrossman Funeral Home, Argos, was in charge of arrangements.

Joyce Arlene Frantz

Joyce Arlene Frantz, 86, North Manchester, died April 2, 2024.

She was born Dec. 20, 1937. On April 12, 1958, she married Myrl Frantz. He preceded her in death April 7, 2020.

Surviving are her children, Wade Allen Frantz, Warsaw, and Wanda Ann Yankey, Ypsilanti, Mich.; sister, Carol Munson, North Manchester; and four grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester. McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, was in charge of arrangements.

Michelle Osborn Harter

Michelle Osborn Harter, 48, Kimmell, formerly of Warsaw, died April 1, 2024.

She was born Dec. 11, 1975. On May 24, 1997, she married Chad Harter; he survives.

Also surviving are her children, Ryan and Hayden Harter; father, Michael Osborn; mother, Janice Johnson; and siblings, Michael Osborn Jr. and Danielle Grumme.

A life celebration was held April 8 at Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

Philip Heinzman

Philip “Phil” Heinzman, 82, Pierceton, died March 31, 2024.

He was born Nov. 13, 1941.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; sons, Phil and Darren; two grandsons; great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; Cheryl’s daughters, Lori, Teresa and Lisa; sister, Nancy; and several nieces and nephews.

The family is grieving privately at this time. Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw was in charge of arrangements.

Kathy Henwood

Kathy Henwood, 50, Syracuse, died March 28, 2024.

She was born March 27, 1974.

Surviving are sons, Jon Walker, Bourbon, Aaron Walker, Cody Walker and Dillion Walker, all of Syracuse; two grandchildren; and siblings, Karri Henwood, Bobbi Worboys and Steven “Sonny” Henwood.

A graveside service will be held at a later date at Leesburg Cemetery. Titus Funeral Home of Syracuse was in charge of arrangements.

Charles Lynch

Charles “Chuck” Lynch, 59, War-

saw/Leesburg, died at 6:30 a.m.

April 1, 2024.

He was born May 19, 1964.

He is survived by his father, Terry Lee Lynch, Leesburg; brother, Mike Lynch, Fishers; and sisters, Angie Eherenman, Garner, N.C., and Jenny Lynch, Chicago, Ill.

A memorial service was held April 8 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. Burial was in Leesburg Cemetery.

Henry Mackey

Henry “Rooks” Mackey, 87, Columbia City, died at 8:02 p.m.

March 31, 2024.

He was born June 23, 1936. On Feb. 24, 1962, he married Judith Worsfold; she survives.

Also surviving are his children, Kerry Mackey, Las Vegas, Nev., Kevin Mackey, Eastern Shore, Va., Brian Mackey, Williston, N.D., and Dylan Kreager, Ligonier; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Tish Snyder, Monroeville, and David Mackey, Franklin, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.

In keeping with his wishes, no public visitation or services are planned. A private burial will take place at Blue River Cemetery, Columbia City. Yeager Funeral Home, Ligonier, was in charge of arrangements.

Nathan F. McCorkle

Nathan F. McCorkle, 62, Barbee Lake, died March 26, 2024.

He was born June 21, 1961.

He is survived by a brother, Timothy McCorkle; nephews and nieces; and great-nephews and nieces.

Services were held April 4 at Titus Funeral Home of North Webster. Burial was in Kokomo Memorial Park.

Geneal Heagy Mellott

Geneal Heagy Mellott, 86, Winona Lake, died Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

She was born Jan. 8, 1938. On Sept. 26, 1955, she married Richard C. “Dick” Heagy; he died in 2003. She married Larry Mellott on June 20, 2008; he died in 2016.

She is survived by her children, Nanette (Les) Pierce and Hal (Geri) Heagy, both of Warsaw; her sister, Kay Lozier, Winona Lake; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Private burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

McHatton Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, handled arrangements.

Gladys Geiser Nissley

Gladys Geiser Nissley, 77, Goshen, died at 4:27 p.m. Wednesday, April 3.

She was born July 20, 1946.

Surviving is her husband, Lloyd Nissley; stepchildren, Richard (Trina) Nissley, Elkhart; Stephen Nissley, Bremen; Jeanette Nissley, Warsaw; brothers, Vernon Geiser, Wooster, Ohio; Vincent (Janet) Geiser, Wooster, Ohio; Ron (Janice) Geiser, Dalton, Ohio; Freeman Geiser, Apple Creek, Ohio; Russell Geiser, Orrville, Ohio; Ellis Geiser, Orrville, Ohio; Delvin (Cindy)

HATTON-SADLER FUNERAL CHAPELS

“Our families serving your family with professionalism, compassion and care.”

Geiser, Orrville, Ohio; sisters, Marcella (Ed) Loker, Dalton, Ohio; Ruth (Galen) Hershberger, Fredericksburg, Ohio; Ida Marie (Tom) Yoder, Donaldson, Iowa; Pauline (Gary) Arnold, Elkhart; and brother-inlaw, Wayne Miller, Orrville, Ohio.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 13, at Nappanee Missionary Church Worship Center. At 1 p.m. there will be a procession to Bethel Mennonite Church Cemetery for burial, followed by a Celebration of Life Service, beginning at 2 p.m. at Nappanee Missionary Church Worship Center. Pastor Thavisith Mounsithiraj (Pastor T), Pastor Dave Engbrecht, and Pastor Jason Rohde will officiate.

Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher and Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.

Marcia Prater

Marcia Prater, 60, Pierceton, died March 28, 2024.

She was born Aug. 4, 1963. On April 18, 1981, she married Denny Prater; he survives.

Also surviving are sons, Steven Prater, Pierceton, Brandon Prater, Sidney, and Danny Prater, Pierceton; nine grandchildren; and siblings, Mark Anderson, Punta Gorda, Fla., Michael Anderson, Sidney, Mitchell Anderson, Bluffton, and Marvin Anderson, Sweetser.

Services were held April 4 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, Warsaw. Interment will be at a later date in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Mary Louise Robbins

Mary Louise Robbins, 96, Warsaw, died March 28, 2024.

She was born Dec. 19, 1927. On Jan. 4, 1947, she married Floyd Glasier “Gla” Robbins, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by a daughter, Susan Creamer, Warsaw; son, Tom Robbins, Dade City, Fla.; five grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held April 9 at Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw.

Braelynn Michelle Rae Roberts

Braelynn Michelle Rae Roberts, infant daughter of Greta Cunningham and Ethen Roberts, was born and died April 1, 2024.

Surviving in addition to her parents are grandparents, Dawn and Danny Schafer and Amber and Kirk Marlow; an aunt; and six uncles.

Visitation was held April 6 at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester. A graveside service followed at Graceland Cemetery, Claypool.

Joseph “Joe” Shepherd

Joseph “Joe” Shepherd, 59, North Manchester, died April 4, 2024.

He and his twin brother, Herb, were born Jan. 9, 1965.

Pierceton and Warsaw

Michael and Tracy Wilson

He is survived by son, Jacob (Shay) Shepherd, North Manchester; brothers, Dewey Shepherd Jr., Roann, Jake (Virgie) Shepherd, Servia, Herbert “Herb” (Tammy) Shepherd, South Whitley, and Steve (Emily) Howard, Snowflake, Ariz.; sisters, Debbie (Floyd) Swindle, Baldwin, Miss., Katie Shepherd, Claypool, Sadie Shepherd, Silver Lake, Evelene (Bobby) Harding, Brooksville, Florida, Peggy Myers, Lake Wales, Fla., and Brenda Layne, Mineral Bluff, Ga.; and a granddaughter.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 9, at McKee Mortuary, with Pastor J.P. Freeman officiating. Burial followed at Sidney Cemetery. The family entrusted McKee Mortuary with arrangements.

John Michael Tobin

John Michael Tobin, 88, Dewart Lake, died March 26, 2024.

He was born Oct. 4, 1935. On April 20, 1959, he married Fukiko Ogata; she preceded him in death in 2004.

He is survived by his children, Ted T. Tobin and Lori Lee Tobin, both of Dewart Lake.

In keeping with his wishes, no pub-

lic visitation or services are planned at this time. John will be laid to rest with his wife, Fukiko, at a later date.

Mishler Funeral Home, Milford, was in charge of arrangements.

Eldon Ray Troyer

Eldon “Eldie” Ray Troyer, 80, Goshen, died March 31, 2024.

He was born March 26, 1944. On Feb. 14, 1970, he married Deborah Sue Swihart. She preceded him in death Oct. 16, 2020.

Surviving are his children, Jeff Troyer, Millersburg, and Kim Rink, Goshen; two grandchildren; a stepgrandson; brothers, Lloyd Troyer, Middlebury, Verton Troyer, Warsaw, and Mervin Troyer, Goshen; and a sister, Dorothy Stutzman.

Services were held April 9 at Brenneman Memorial Missionary Church. Burial was in Rock Run Cemetery, Goshen. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, was in charge of arrangements.

Mary L. Ulmer

Mary L. Ulmer, 98, Winona Lake, died April 1, 2024.

Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of North Webster.

Michael Robert Van Ness

Michael Robert Van Ness, 86, Warsaw, died March 22, 2024.

He was born July 29, 1937.

Surviving are daughters, Katrina Diane Van Ness and Morgan Pettigrew, both of Warsaw; nine grandchildren; two great-grandsons; a sister, Elaine Parriott, Arizona; a brother, Glenn Parriott, Arizona; and a nephew.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation will take place with Heritage Cremation & Funeral Services, Warsaw.

Thelma Irene Walton

Thelma Irene Walton, 85, Warsaw, died at 4:25 a.m. March 29, 2024.

She was born Sept. 27, 1938. On Feb. 9, 1956, she married Carroll Leroy Walton. He preceded her in death Aug. 26, 2020.

She is survived by a son, James “Jim” Walton, Battle Creek, Mich.; daughters, Janet Walton, Warsaw, and Julie Green, South Whitley; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Services were held April 6 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. Burial was in Milford Cemetery.

Jan Niswander Wilt

Jan Niswander Wilt, 73, North Manchester and Romeoville, Ill., died March 20, 2024. She was born Dec. 3, 1950. On July 30, 1977, she married Philip R. Wilt Jr. He preceded her in death Jan. 6, 2023.

Surviving are siblings, Ray Niswander Jr., Worthington, Ohio, Mark Niswander, Mahomet, Ill., and Sue Myers, Hershey, Pa.; and close friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. June 1 at Manchester Church of the Brethren Memorial Garden, 1306 Beckley St., North Manchester. Burial was in Manchester Church of the Brethren Memorial Garden. McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, is in charge of arrangements.

Adele Marie Wollman

Adele Marie Wollman, 94, Goshen, died March 30, 2024.

She was born Jan. 31, 1930. On June 17, 1950, she married Wilfred O. Wollman. He preceded her in death Oct. 21, 2008.

Surviving are her children, Dale Losee, Milford, Rev. Michael Wollman, Abingdon, Md., David Wollman, Dallas, Texas, Rev. Andrew Wollman, Goshen, and Thomas Wollman, Warsaw; seven grandchildren; 12 greatgrandchildren; a brother-in-law, Gene Poole, Chicago, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held April 4 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Goshen. Private burial was in Benton Lutheran Cemetery.

Court News

Small Claims

The following small claims have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Money Matters Professional Collections LLC v. Kayla Addair, $650.34; v. Alexis N. Brody, $1,618.84; v. Tiffany B. Meeker, $415.14; v. Julie Sheetz, $960.34

Total Recovery Services Inc. v. James Lent, $1,449.19; v. Queenetta Young, $631.13

Civil Collections

The following civil collections have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court IV, Judge Christopher

D. Kehler presiding: Credit Acceptance Corp. v. Ridley Brown, $6,359.07

Capital One NA v. Katie L. Cantrell, $3,153.62

Cavalry SPV I LLC v. Rick Craft, $3,396.41; v. Jeffrey A. Holladay, $6,492.26

Warsaw Health System LLC d/b/a Komyatte & Casbon PC v. Trevor Delacruz, $9,510.15; v. Sai Vena, $28,293.15

Midland Credit Management Inc. v. Colleen Edwards, $821.21; v. Joel Zehner, $7,128.40

Mariner Finance LLC v. Michelle Flynn, $2,550.56; v. Jonathon M. Hagg, $5,026.42; v. Michael W. and Michelle L. Hurst, $7,950.55

American Acceptance Corp. v. Mark A. Neal, a/k/a Mark Neal, a/k/a Mark Alan Neal, $11,370.26

Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC v. Han N. Nguyen, $5,219.10

Jefferson Capital Systems LLC v. Christine L. Roberts, $731.76

Synchrony Bank v. Francine M. Ruiz $6,334.21

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC v. Larry L. Scripter, $2,326.66; v. Marvin Whitacre, $1,043.18

LVNV Funding LLC v. Lisa Ziegler, $3,042.16

Civil Torts

The following civil tort has been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court IV, Judge Christopher D. Kehler presiding: Northern Indiana Public Service Co. v. Megan Orozco Cortez, $7,390.31

Plenaries

The following plenary has been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court I, Judge Karin McGrath presiding:

Norma L. Ferguson, trustee v. Midwest Behavior and Performance Science Institute, Bradley Mitchell, $5,993.36

Mortgage Foreclosures

The following mortgage foreclosure has been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner

presiding:

PNC Bank, National Association v. James M. Zimmerman, $43,335.80

B i R ths

Fredrik Walter Yoder

Larry and Barbara (Helmuth) Yoder, Bremen, are the parents of a son, Fredrik Walter Yoder, born at 12:37 a.m. April 5, 2024, at Blessed Beginnings Care Center, Nappanee. He weighed 6 pounds, 13 1/2 ounces and was 20 inches long.

He joins three siblings: Leona, Katy and Ramah.

Warren David Troyer

Kevin and Sarah (Lambright) Troyer, Ligonier, are the parents of a son, Warren David Troyer, born at 7:26 p.m. April 4, 2024, at Blessed Beginnings Care Center, Nappanee. He weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 21 1/2 inches long.

Superior Court III

The following fines for infractions have been assessed in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner

presiding:

Speeding — Alyssa E. Lowe, Warsaw, $164.50; Matthew C. Brummett, Warsaw, $164.50; Duncan T. McCammack, Nappanee, $164.50; Mariah K. Owens, Silver Lake, $164.50; Luis M. Serafin-Brito, Warsaw, $164.50; Madison L. Lehman, Warsaw, $164.50; Blake E. Rodgers, Pierceton, $164.50; Christofer M. Silvestre, Milford, $164.50; $164.50; David J. Hampton, Warsaw, $164.50

Failure to register — Edward W. Reed, Mentone, $164.50; Cole A. Furry, Warsaw, $164.50; Giena D. Friend-Kautz, Nappanee, $164

Failure of occupant to use safety belt — Jacob R. Vetor, Warsaw, $25; Henry R. Kidd, Warsaw, $25; Trenton F. Hairrell, Warsaw, $25; Sherrie L. Courson, South Whitley, $25

Operating off-road vehicle/ snowmobile on property without property owner’s consent — Codey C. Haffner, Syracuse, $164

Speeding, failure to register, improper display of license plate Austin J. Richardson, Warsaw, $189.50

Following too closely — Chanel N. Allen-Lomax, Warsaw, $164.50

Disregarding stop sign — Virgil R. Hale, Pierceton, $164.50

Failure to obey officer or signal at railroad crossing — Todd J. Yates, Mentone, $164.50

No valid driver’s license, speeding — Jarrett E. Long, Warsaw, $189.50

Driving while suspended — Joel D. Conrad, New Paris, $189.50

Passing a stopped school bus when stop arm is out and activated — Izabelle C. Espinoza, North Webster, $164.50

Marriage Licenses

The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Court

Anne Torpy:

Shepherd-Adkins

Elizabeth Sierra Shepherd, 28, Atwood, and Jonathan Elijah Adkins, 28, Atwood

Doty-Banda

Jacob Thomas Doty, 32, Etna Green, and Bessie Banda, 36, Etna

Green

Childs-Hostetler

Victor A. Childs, 31, Syracuse, and Erin Kelsey Hostetler, 29, Syracuse

Gray-Palmer

Tiara Rose Gray, 23, Syracuse, and Reece Alexander Palmer, 24, Bristol

Myers-Hileman

Angela Renee Myers, 45, Warsaw,

and Kevin Gale Hileman, 43, Warsaw

Miller-Raber

Jared Michael Miller, 21, Nappanee, and Amy Lynn Raber, 21, Macy

Sergienko-Wilkins

Jessica Sergienko, 46, Hampshire, Tenn., and Scott Wilkins, 45, Milford

Himes-Long

Andrew Joseph Himes, 49, Pierceton, and Kaeli Lynn Long, 28, Pierceton

Yon-O’Loughlin

Jayden Avery Yon, 19, Warsaw, and Heydin Madysen O’Loughlin, 19, Warsaw

Castillo-Frye-Baker

Shawn Dale Castillo, 50, Pierceton, and Felicia Brooke Frye-Baker, 50, Syracuse

Gingerich-Schwartz

Aden R. Gingerich, 20, Middlebury, and Dora K. Schwartz, 19, Warsaw

Marriage Dissolutions

The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior Courts I and IV: Murphy — Emily Murphy, North Webster, and Austin Murphy, North Webster. They were married July 2, 2021, and separated Feb. 10, 2024. One minor child.

Rapp — Brandon M. Rapp, Pierceton, and Nicole L. Rapp, Warsaw. They were married April 26, 2017, and separated in January of 2024. Three minor children.

Kester-Coon — Roselle E. Kester, Warsaw, and Dylan M. Coon, Churubusco. With minor children. No other information was available.

Smith — Jeslynn C. Smith, Garrett, and Wesley P. Smith, Garrett. No minor children.

Conway — Kelly Conway, Syracuse, and Thomas Conway, Westville. They were married May 31, 2009, and separated in April of 2022. Two minor children.

Moore-Stutzman — John Moore, Warsaw, and Jill Stutzman, Mentone. They were married Oct. 25, 2020, and separated March 26, 2024. One minor child.

York — Kelsey York, Warsaw, and Nathan York, Pierceton. They were married Oct. 18, 2023, and separated March 13, 2024. No minor children.

Piersall — Hayden Piersall, Syracuse, and Chelsea Piersall, Syracuse. They were married June 1, 2019, and separated Nov. 20, 2023. No minor children.

Gomez-Campbell — Jackie Gomez, Warsaw, and Raymond Campbell, Las Vegas, Nev. They were married March 30, 2014, and separated in July 2014. No minor children.

Warsaw hosts Cub Scout district Pinewood Derby

The 2024 Cub Scout Lincolnway District Pinewood Derby was held Friday, March 15, at Harrison Elementary School, Warsaw.

The Lincolnway District encompasses Cub Scout packs from Kosciusko, Whitley and southwest Allen counties.

cluded an arrow, a ketchup bottle, a bat mobile, a hot dog car, a Mario car and a unicorn.

He joins three siblings: Rylan, Javon and Landon.

Melody Ann Hochstetler

Maternal grandparents are Samuel and Martha Mast, Nappanee. Paternal grandparents are Ernest and Dora Hochstetler, Milford.

Melody joins two siblings: Austin and Brandon.

Rowan Arthur Ray Martin

Thomas and Bridgette Martin, Syracuse, are the parents of a son, Rowan Arthur Ray, born at 2:13 a.m. March 29, 2024, at Goshen Hospital. He weighed 6 pounds, 10.5 ounces, and was 19 1/2 inches long.

Melody Joy Bontrager

Owen and Kari (Hochstetler) Bontrager, Nappanee, are the parents of a daughter, Melody Joy, born at 4:40 p.m. Feb. 23, 2024, at home. She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces.

Jerry and Cindy (Mast) Hochstetler, Nappanee, are the parents of a daughter, Melody Ann, born at 6:32 a.m. April 2, 2024, at Blessed Beginnings Care Center, Nappanee. She weighed 8 pounds, 4.5 ounces, and was 20 inches long.

Six different Cub Scout packs attended the event, including packs 3021 from Fort Wayne, 3726 from North Webster, 3729 from Leesburg, 3731 from Warsaw, 3736 from Warsaw and 3828 from Syracuse. A total of 20 Cub Scouts participated, ranging in age from kindergarten to fifth grade.

Each Cub Scout crafted their own car from a wooden block kit. Some of the creative designs in-

Winning third place with his car, “Da Bears,” and an average three-run time of 2.695 seconds was Jase Tackitt from Pack 3828. Winning second place with his car “Red X” and an average run time of 2.687 seconds was Grey Hammer from Pack 3731. Winning first place with her car “Fire” and an average run time of 2.682 seconds was Chloe Bartholomew from Pack 3021.

The winner of the Outlaw Race, Derek Penninger, from Pack 3731, had an average run time of 2.643 seconds with his car, “Turbo Phoenix.”

“The Pinewood Derby has become a national sensation with

more than 100 million cars sold and built since its inception,” said Michael Tome, Lincolnway District executive.

“The Pinewood Derby is an event where Cub Scouts and their parents put together a custom race car using four plastic wheels, four nails and a few pieces of wood,” Tome said. “There is still the same amount of work involved in designing a car that weighs less than 5 ounces, regardless of whether you want it to be fast, cool or both. Most of all, it’s about the bond between a parent and child that will last a lifetime.”

If you would like to join a Cub Scout pack, visit beascout.scouting.org and enter your ZIP code to find a pack near you.

Parkinson’s Support Group to learn about hospice care

Parkinson’s Support Group of Warsaw will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, at the administrative classroom door (No. 20) of Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital, 2101 E. DuBois Drive, Warsaw.

This month, Wanita Owobamirin, R.N. with Heartland Hospice will present information per-

taining to hospice care, and the criteria that needs to be met for admission with hospice. She will also be able to answer a variety of questions from the group. Attendees have an opportunity to learn from professionals and specialists in the community, along with receiving answers to questions, sharing experiences,

and encouraging one another. Open to all members of the community, the support group meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. the second Friday of each month (except December). A convenient parking lot is located on Provident Drive.

For information, contact Pam Baucom at (574) 370-5709.

PINEWOOD WINNER — Winners of the Pinewood Derby race hold up their trophies. From left are Derek Penninger, Pack 3731, Outlaw Race winner; Chloe Bartholomew, Pack 3021, first place; Grey Hammer, Pack 3731, second place; and Jase Tackitt, Pack 3828, third place. Photo provided by Connie Penninger.

Hauling C060 BUSINESS SERVICES

AgingRoof?NewHomeowner?GotStorm Damage?Youneedalocalexpertprovider thatproudlystandsbehindtheirwork. Fast,freeestimate.Financingavailable. Call1-888-878-9091 Home Services C070 CLEAN UP AND TRASH REMOVAL Willis Trash Removal. Residential, commercial and industrial. Bobcat, dumpsters and burn barrels available also. (574) 293-2937

watercancausemajordamagetoyour home.Ourtrustedprofessionalsdryout wetareas&repairtoprotectyourfamily& yourhomevalue!Call24/7: 1-888-872-2809.Havezipcode!

C080

DentalinsurancefromPhysiciansMutual InsuranceCompany.Coveragefor400+ procedures.Realdentalinsurance-not justadiscountplan.GetyourfreeInformationKitwithdetails!1-855-526-1060www. dental50plus.com/ads#6258

Siding C140

Tree Service C170

On-DemandMovies,PlusLimitedTimeUp To$600InGiftCards.CallToday! 1-866-479-1516 TV Satellite C180 TREETRIMMING,treeandstumpremovalservice,stormdamagecleanup, treeclimbingorbucketlift,Freeestimates. DanTheTreeMan.574-831-4381,New Paris. LUMBERJACKJIMTREESERVICEProfessionaltreetrimmingandremoval. Stormdamagecleanup.Safeandreliable. Fullyinsured.Locallyowned.Call 574-371-6536.

Grace College VP releases ‘Gospel Generosity’

Dr. Nathan Harris, vice president of advancement at Grace, recently authored a book on generosity, “A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity: Giving as an Act of Grace,” through B&H Publishing. The book explores how Christians can joyfully steward their time, talents and possessions in obedience to the biblical mandate of generosity.

“In ‘Gospel Generosity,’ Harris discusses deep, theological truths of Scripture while applying those truths with great simplicity to how we as Christians should be generous,” said Dr. Drew Flamm, president of Grace College, who has 18-plus years of experience in advance-

ment. “This book is a helpful guide for any ministry leader or pastor and for any believer who desires to understand how the gospel inspires generous hearts.”

“Gospel Generosity” identifies how true generosity extends from and centers on the Gospel. It moves the reader to think not about the duty of giving but the joy of generosity with a Kingdom focus, knowing that everything one has is God’s to use for his purposes.

“Giving is not merely a virtue for the Christian life, but a cheerful disposition that springs forth from the good news of salvation in Christ,” said Harris.

“It is a sign of the radical reforming of the believer’s head and heart to joyfully serve the Lord through the stewardship of their time, abilities and resources.”

Harris is passionate about Christian philanthropy and communicating how the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms how Christians view and participate in generosity and stewardship. He believes generosity plays a larger role in the daily Christian life than many realize.

Harris holds a Ph.D. in New Testament, an M.Div., and Th.M. in pedagogy from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in youth

Furnishings P040 MERCHANDISE

FORSALE:Cleansleepersofa,love seat,stuffedchair.Allyellow/blue. 312-448-3512,Syracuse.

Health Aids P060

NEW BOOK RELEASED — Dr. Nathan Harris, vice president of advancement at Grace, recently authored a book on generosity, “A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity,” through B&H Publishing. Photo provided by Grace College.

ministry from Malone University. He has taught courses on the New Testament, hermeneutics and theology, and has more than a decade of experience in Christian higher education and

HUNTINGLANDWANTEDinNorthern Indiana/SouthernMichigan.Willingtoprovidelabor/services,i.e.stumpgrinding, fenceclearing,firewoodcutting,remodeling,etc.Callandleavemessage 574-326-1756. FORSALE:Woods9180RDBatwing FinishMower,540PTO,15foot,oiled, greased,newblades,alwayskeptinside. Readytomow!Call574-518-6384. Miscellaneous Farm G010

Attentionoxygentherapyusers!Inogen OneG4iscapableoffull24/7oxygen delivery.Only2.8pounds.Freeinfokit. Call877-929-9587

Health/Fitness P070

VIAGRAandCIALISUSERS!50Generic PillsSPECIAL$99.00.100%guaranteed. 24/7CALLNOW!888-445-5928HablamosEspanol

Misc. Merchandise P090

Eliminateguttercleaningforever!LeafFilter,themostadvanceddebris-blocking gutterprotection.SchedulefreeLeafFilter estimatetoday.20%offEntirePurchase. 10%Senior&MilitaryDiscounts.Call 1-833-610-1936

SafeStep.NorthAmerica’s#1Walk-intub. Comprehensivelifetimewarranty.Top-ofthe-lineinstallationandservice.Nowfeaturingourfreeshowerpackage&$1600 off-limitedtime!Financingavailable. 1-855-417-1306

Prepareforpoweroutagestodaywitha GeneracHomeStandbyGenerator.Act nowtoreceiveaFREE5-Yearwarranty withqualifyingpurchase*Call 1-855-948-6176todaytoscheduleafree quote.It’snotjustagenerator.It’sapower move.

in Microsoft Office. Let your detail oriented side shine as you assist with various marketing tasks. Familiarity with Meta Business Suite, web design knowledge and proofreading skills are a highly valued bonus! Requirements:

• Tech and computer savvy

• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel

• Ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment

• Strong organizational skills

• Collaborative mindset

• Above-average math skills

• Proficient with social media (especially Meta Business Suite)

• Self-motivated and detail-oriented

• Bonus points for web design knowledge and proofreading abilities

• Education or work experience required

• Full Time: Monday – Friday

• Competitive wages and benefits

Join our dynamic team and make an impact! Apply today.

timesharedebt&feescancelledin2019. Getfreeinfopackage&learnhowtoget ridofyourtimeshare!Freeconsultations. Over450positivereviews.833-308-1971

local church ministry.

To purchase “Gospel Generosity” or learn more about Harris, visit bhpublishinggroup.com/ product/a-short-guide-to-gospelgenerosity-2/#flipbook-sampler/.

Michael Morris promoted to facilities and maintenance manager at CTB Inc.

Michael Morris has been promoted to facilities and maintenance manager for CTB Inc., according to Will Mabee, vice president of global credit and risk management for CTB Inc.

In his new role, he is responsible for the management of the operational and fiscal activities of the Milford maintenance departments. He will also plan and implement systems and procedures to improve department effectiveness along with hiring, training and supervising departmental staff.

A CTB employee since 2008, Morris previously held the positions of lead maintenance technician for Brock Grain Systems and Maintenance Technician for Chore-Time. Prior to joining CTB, he worked as a maintenance technician for a local foundry for six years, where his primary duty was to repair and maintain machinery. Morris is a graduate of Ivy Tech

MICHAEL MORRIS Community College, South Bend, where he received an associate of applied sciences degree in industrial technology with a concentration in industrial maintenance. A native of Pierceton, he now resides in Milford.

Atwood Otterbein Church donates to sheriff’s drug detection program

Atwood Otterbein Church mission committee members, Tilly McKeand and Genyce DiRico, recently donated $4,038 to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, earmarked for its drug detection program. The committee’s funds were made available from an endowment fund, which emphasizes improvements to the quality of life in the community.

Atwood Otterbein Church, celebrating its 97th anniversary this year, is located at 306 E. Main St., Atwood.

The congregation is a member of the Global Methodist organization under the direction of Pastor David Banning. Sunday services begin at 9:30 a.m. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early for coffee and stay after the service for snacks and fellowship.

Banning may be reached at (574) 858-2291 or by email at atwoodotterbeinchurch@gmail.com. The church’s website is atwoodotterbeinchurch.org, and it is on Facebook as Atwood Otterbein Church.

Grant awarded to North Webster Community Center

Kosciusko County Community Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $2,500 to the North Webster Community Center for the purchase of an automated external defibrillator. The grant is from The Grossnickle Foundation, a component fund of KCCF.

“The North Webster Community Center is grateful to The Grossnickle Foundation for investing in the safety and wellbeing of those who visit and work at the center,” said NWCC Executive Director Emily Shipley. “We also greatly appreciate the support of the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory in ensuring that we would be purchasing the correct AED.”

countywide, meaning, if necessary, emergency care doesn’t have to stop once first responders arrive because it connects with our equipment,” added Tony Doyle of the EMS division TTFT.

“This particular AED is used

Notice of Kosciusko County Property Tax Assessment Appeals annual session

The Kosciusko County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals will meet at 9:40 a.m. Monday, May 13, in the Old Courtroom on the third floor of the Kosciusko

County Courthouse to start its annual meetings for 2024. The board will also be meeting at 9:40 a.m. Monday, May 2, Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28, as needed.

With visitors regularly navigating the hallways, gym, offices and outdoor courts of the NWCC, a former public school serving as a community center since 2002, the AED is something that could well come into play, added Shipley. “In the unfortunate event that we would have any sort of a medical emergency, it is reassuring to know that we can act quickly, even before first responders arrive,” she said. Shipley noted that training on the use of AEDs is handled by an annual class for NWCC’s staff and board.

Bowen Center marks Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time that raises awareness about autism and promotes inclusion and connectedness for people with autism.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn and behave.

Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of

life. Recent data suggests that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ASD, with boys being four times more likely to receive the diagnosis.

Bowen Health Clinic provides autism spectrum disorder screening, therapies and interventions for children and adults. Treatment can include help with behavior management, social-skills training,

medication treatment and more. Treatment is designed for each person’s unique goals. Guidance helps reduce symptoms and to explore options that make positive differences in the daily lives of families.

Bowen Health Clinic welcomes Medicaid, and no one is turned away for an inability to pay. To make an appointment, call (800) 342-5653.

Tree of Life Christian Academy opening for grades K-2

Tree of Life Christian Academy, a new education alternative, is now accepting students for the 2024-2025 school year.

Tree of Life is a nondenominational Christian academy that partners with parents to enhance the education experience for the student, according to a news release. Children will have a combination of at-home learning and on-campus days.

“Christ is the center of our academy. Our curriculum is designed to teach children the importance of God’s love and to prepare them spiritually and academically during their most

formative years,” said board member, Steve Searles.

Tree of Life will offer classes three days a week for students in grades kindergarten through second grade at its facility located at 5063 W. CR 1400N, North Manchester. Students will learn traditional subjects such as reading and math along with Bible study, physical education, choir and other courses.

Parents who would like to learn more can attend an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the academy or visit the website at tolcacademy.org.

MONEY FOR DRUG PROGRAM — Pictured in front, from left, are Tilly McKeand and Genyce DiRico, both of Atwood Otterbein Church, Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith and Deputy Elizabeth Johnson. In back, from left, are Sgt. Travis Shivley, Chief Deputy Chris McKeand, Lt. Mike Mulligan and Lt. Kevin Gelbaugh. Photo provided.

GRANT FOR AED Shown are Tony Doyle and Emily Shipley with the AED. Photo provided.