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Honorees List

A staple of Huntington’s community and educational landscape for over 75 years, WVSH radio began in 1950 with high school teacher McCabe “Pop” Day’s vision for the student-run “Voice of the Schools of Huntington.” Starting with a modest 10-watt transmitter, the station quickly became a key educational tool, offering diverse programming from sports and music to community service. The station’s early growth included an expanded schedule and new equipment, establishing it as one of the state’s top student-run stations by the1960s. Bill Walker, who took over operations in 1974, played a crucial role in expanding the station’s educational opportunities by introducing dedicated radio classes and fostering student involvement in state contests and professional visits. Under Walker’s leadership, WVSH gained recognition for innovative programs and live-event coverage. Nick Altman, a WVSH alum, succeeded Walker in 2007 and continues to advance the station by incorporating online streaming and social media, modernizing equipment, and embracing new technologies. Today, WVSH remains a pioneering force in educational broadcasting, upholding its mission to provide valuable experiences for students and serve the community.

WVSH Huntington North Radio

WVSH

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Born in 1818 in Pennsylvania, James. R. Slack rose from a civilian lawyer to a Union general during the Civil War. After moving to Indiana, he established a successful legal career in Huntington and served as a State Senator in Indiana. Slack joined the Union Army at the outbreak of war in 1861, despite having no formal military training. Appointed colonel of the 47th Indiana Infantry, Slack quickly earned recognition for his leadership in key battles, including the Siege of Vicksburg, Battle of Champion Hill, and the Red River Campaign. Promoted to brigadier general in 1864, he continued to lead his troops in critical campaigns. Slack was known for his discipline, strategic insight, and dedication to his men. After the war, Slack returned to Huntington, resuming his legal career and remaining active in veterans’ affairs. He died in 1881, leaving behind a legacy of military leadership and community service, commemorated by General Slack Park.

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Slack

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Ryan Warner has served Huntington County financial institutions for nearly 40 years at the state, regional, and national levels, while staying rooted in his hometown. Starting as a teller in 1977 at Bippus State Bank, Warner quickly rose through the ranks to become the bank’s president at age 29 and later chair its board after retiring as CEO in 2021. Under his leadership, Bippus State Bank expanded significantly, with assets growing to more than $360 million. Warner's community influence extended beyond banking. He played important roles in the local United Way and Parkview Huntington Hospital fund-raising campaigns and has held leadership positions in state and national banking associations, advocating for the interests of smaller banks. Warner’s career reflects his commitment to improving Huntington County, where he and his family live. Now retired, he looks forward to spending more time with loved ones while remaining connected to his community.

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Warner

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Rickert Studio, a family-run photography business, documented life in Huntington and the surrounding area from 1912 to 1986. William Rickert, a Wabash County native, purchased Huntington’s DeCew Studio in 1912, bringing innovation with the use of mercury-vapor lights. His studio became renowned for capturing portraits, family gatherings, and commercial work. As photography technology advanced, the business expanded, selling Kodak cameras and processing film while maintaining its successful studio work. William's son, Bob Rickert, joined him after returning from WW II, and took over the business in 1962. Bob later relocated the studio to a renovated Victorian home on West Park Drive, adding modern equipment and natural light for indoor portraits. After a 74-year run, the studio closed in 1986. Bob transitioned into psychological counseling, practicing until 1997. He passed away in 2008, leaving a legacy of cherished photographs that continue to illuminate and preserve this area’s history.

Rickert Studio

Rickert Studio

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Photojournalist Andrew Hancock’s career capturing iconic sports moments skyrocketed within a decade of his picking up a camera, landing covers of Time and Sports Illustrated. His journey began in Midland, Texas, and evolved through college and at the Herald-Press. After meeting his future wife, Maria Amick, he was inspired to stay in Huntington with a rededication to his craft. That led to breakthrough opportunities, connecting him with top photographers and editors. Hancock’s innovative approach includes taking his cameras into unique locations to capture extraordinary images, such as the iconic shot of college football player Johnny Manziel and coverage of major events like the Cubs’ 2016 run to a World Series win. A Nikon Ambassador, Hancock also mentors aspiring photographers while balancing a dedicated family life with his wife and two daughters in Dallas.

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Hancock

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Jim Russo's passion for baseball began in the 1930s in Huntington, inspired by legends like Babe Ruth. His love for the game led him to become one of baseball's most renowned scouts, earning the nickname "Super Scout." Born in 1922 to Sicilian immigrants, Russo dreamt of a major league career but found his true calling in scouting. His keen eye for talent played a crucial role in building the Baltimore Orioles into a dominant team. Notable achievements include signing Boog Powell and facilitating the trade for Frank Robinson, who led the Orioles to their first World Series title in 1966. Russo’s crowning achievement came in 1971 when the Orioles' pitching staff made history with four 20-game winners, all players he had signed or recommended. This remarkable feat underscored Russo’s impact on the Orioles' success. He retired in 1987 and passed away in 2004, leaving a lasting legacy in baseball.

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Russo

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In the 1964 state basketball championship, Jim Seneff missed key shots in Huntington’s loss to Lafayette Jeff. From that event, he vowed to be always prepared, a commitment that guided his life. Born in Gary, Seneff spent his high school years in Huntington, where he excelled in sports, academics and leadership. He attended Wheaton College and later transferred to Florida State University, where he started a successful business out of his dorm room. Drafted into the Army, he devised a 50-year life plan during his service. After returning, he founded CNL Financial Group in Orlando, which grew into a major real estate firm. Seneff’s philanthropy, which has totaled more than $50 million and led to the creation of the James M. Seneff Honors Program at FSU, has significantly impacted education and various causes. He was bestowed with the Horatio Alger Award in 2010. He continues to share his story, emphasizing long-term planning and lifelong learning.

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Seneff

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Phyllis Vance is a trailblazing athlete, coach, and teacher who played a pivotal role in advancing opportunities for girls and women in sports. In the late 1960s and early 70s, when few opportunities existed, Vance forged her own path. She played on Eastbrook High School’s first volleyball and basketball teams, and at Taylor University, she was on the first Trojan softball team. She began her teaching and coaching career at Huntington North. Vance coached girls basketball and track, and started girls cross country and softball programs at the school. As softball coach, her teams consistently excelled, winning nine sectional titles in 10 years, and she was the first female softball coach in Indiana to win 200 games. Vance has been honored multiple times for her contributions, including the Indiana Softball Hall of Fame and the Huntington North and Taylor University halls of fame, where she was celebrated as a pioneer who shaped women’s athletics.

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Vance

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Chris Kramer’s life as an athlete highlights his exceptional talent, relentless work ethic, and leadership. His competitive nature was evident early on. A three-sport standout at Huntington North High School, he earned All-State honors in both football and basketball and a spot on the Indiana All-Star basketball team, securing his place as perhaps the greatest athlete ever produced in Huntington County. With the Purdue basketball team, Kramer became a key player and team leader, helping the Boilermakers return to national prominence. He twice was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and broke the school record for steals. While he did not reach his dream of playing in the NBA, he carved out a successful professional career overseas. Kramer retired in 2022 with a legacy defined by hard work, dedication, humility and a commitment to team success, making him a role model for young athletes.

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Kramer

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Debbie Dyer is a passionate advocate for the arts in Huntington, dedicating more than 40 years to fostering an arts culture in the community. Debbie’s love for the arts was nurtured in her youth, and she would pass that love on to her own family and others. She married David Dyer in 1973, and they moved to Huntington, where Debbie became deeply involved in community organizations, including the LaFontaine Arts Council and Tri Kappa sorority. As executive director of the LaFontaine Arts Council, Debbie championed arts education, particularly for young people, including bringing the Fort Wayne Philharmonic to schools, inspiring in students a lifelong appreciation for music. She also organized events like the annual Regional Arts Show and JeFFFest. Debbie’s dedication to the arts, her engaging personality, and her commitment to nurturing young talent have left an indelible mark on Huntington, shaping its cultural landscape for generations to come.

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Dyer

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Over the past century, OLVM Sisters have served in solidarity with God’s people, especially those marginalized by society. Founded in 1922 by Father John Joseph Sigstein, the Sisters have called Huntington home since the building of their Victory Noll motherhouse in 1924.
The Victory Noll Sisters, as they are also known, have as their mission to proclaim the Word of God, foster justice, stand in solidarity with those living in poverty and oppression, and promote the development of leaders.
As missionary Sisters, they have been missioned to places where the poorest people have been ignored or left behind by society. They went into rural areas of Appalachia, into the inner cities, and especially into the Southwest United States to serve a growing immigrant population. They continued to provide religious education, but also advocated for human rights, social justice and empowerment for minority groups and for women. Victory Noll Sisters developed leadership initiatives and spoke out on the need to care for the Earth.
They have been missioned in 37 states and in Bolivia, delivering the Good News of Jesus Christ, providing social services, and advocating for justice and peace.
OLVM also has a past connection with Dr. Carnes, who served as personal physician for many of the Sisters over the years.

Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters

OLVM Sisters

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Christopher Michael Goff was born in Wabash County, Indiana, and attended schools in both Wabash and Huntington. He graduated from Southwood High School, and is a summa cum laude graduate of Ball State University. After graduation, he enrolled at the Indiana University Mauer School of Law, where he received his J.D. degree in 1996.
Justice Goff was an associate attorney with the Huntington law firm of Mills & Northrop, where he became a partner in 1999. He also served as a Public Defender in Huntington County. In 2005, Justice Goff was appointed to serve as Judge of the Wabash Superior Court. While serving in that capacity, he implemented the Wabash County Drug Court and the Family Drug Treatment Court to help address the devastating effects of drug abuse in the community.
In 2017, Judge Goff was appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb to serve as the 110th Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. At age 45, he was, at the time of his appointment, the youngest member of the Supreme Court by almost a decade.

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Goff

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Hancher

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Important as Dr. John Regan has been to the many thousands of his patients, that will not be the only way he is remembered in our community. For more than a half-century, John Regan, DDS, has promoted excellence in dentistry at the state, national, and international levels, while working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all people in Huntington County.
Dr. Regan is a Wisconsin native who, while at Indiana University Dental School in Indianapolis, met and married Delene Anne Smith, a student from Huntington. In 1961, the Regans moved to Huntington, where he established his family dentistry practice. Throughout nearly six decades in that practice, John Regan was extremely active in both community and professional affairs.
Throughout his career, John Regan has advocated for change and improvement in the science and practice of family dentistry. In Huntington, he was among the organizers of what is now Pathfinder, and his other civic leadership duties included United Way, the city library board of trustees, the Medical Memorial Foundation of Huntington County, the Huntington County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and the Optimist Club.

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Regan

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Quiet and unassuming in person, John Harrell’s work speaks loudly across Indiana. The innovative website he created in 2000 to provide scores and schedules for every high school football and basketball contest in the state has become the definitive resource for sportswriters, fans, coaches, players and countless others.
Harrell’s love of basketball dates to his days as a youngster growing up in Huntington. While still in high school, he began his newspaper career at the Huntington Herald-Press covering county high school games.
A graduate of Huntington College, Harrell went from the Herald-Press to the Bloomington newspaper, first as a sportswriter and later as an award-winning page designer. Always a numbers guy, he started compiling a database of high school scores in 1980. The internet allowed him to make that information available online beginning in 2000. He has not missed one day since updating scores and schedules, inputting 1,700 football and 10,000 boys and girls basketball scores every season. Harrell has been honored by many organizations, including receiving the Indiana Fever Silver Medal Award from the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

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Harrell

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As a basketball player, Mike Weaver left a legacy that the Huntington community will never forget. In the more than 50 years since the end of his athletic career, the 6-foot-5 Weaver has stood equally tall in his life as a businessman and benefactor.
Weaver starred on Coach Bob Straight’s Huntington’s 1964 state runner-up team, earning the prestigious Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award, along with All-State and Indiana All-Star honors. He went on to be a three-year starter at Northwestern University.
After two years in the Army, he earned his MBA in 1972 and entered the family business, the Weaver Popcorn Company. He became president of the company in 1980 and built Weaver Popcorn into the largest bulk-producing popcorn company in the world.
Weaver’s philanthropic life includes the establishment of National Scouting Fundraising, which has provided more than three billion dollars for scouting organizations. He created the Bob Straight Scholarship in Huntington, and with his wife, Becky, provided a lead financial gift to Marian University in 2016.

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Weaver

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If there ever was a “First Family of Huntington (College) University,” it is the family of Dr. Paul and Barbara Fetters. The Fetters family has been part of the fabric of the school for more than half its existence. The expansion and growth of the university has paralleled the involvement and the family’s growth.
Among his roles at HU, Paul served as the Dean of Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries from 1972-1997 and authored numerous books and scholarly publications. Barbara Fetters influenced countless students as a language arts teacher for many years at Huntington North High School. They raised three sons — Brooks, Todd and Luke — and have eight grandchildren. All of them have attended Huntington University.
Paul Fetters died in 2022, and Barbara began cutting back on her various activities. But the successive generations of the Fetters family have continued to have a positive effect on the university, the church and the community.

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Fetters Family

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Since its founding in 1915, Huntington’s Erie Community Band has provided the musical backdrop for many of the town’s most important gatherings. For 54 of those years, Elmer Rahn not only conducted the band, but was the leader who kept it together through its toughest times.
Born to a family of musicians and railroad workers, Rahn picked up the cornet at a young age. When he was old enough, Rahn went to work for the Erie Railroad in Huntington. In 1915, railroad president F.D. Underwood sparked the creation of local bands along the rail line. When the Huntington band was formed, Rahn was ready with his horn.
Rail strikes caused railroad bands to disband, but Huntington’s Erie Band continued. Rahn took over as band director in 1922 and kept the group going, even when new railroad union rules threatened its existence in the 1960s. Rahn died in 1976, but because of his leadership and his dedicated musicians, the Erie Band not only survived, but continues to thrive.

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Rahn

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From playing pickup games in Huntington County barns with his buddies as a teenager to the day he was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, good friends and basketball have served Art Musselman well.
Musselman played two years at Clear Creek High School, but the family’s move into town put him on the Huntington High School squad for his junior season. As a senior in 1956, Musselman put together one of the best seasons in Viking history, scoring a record 436 points. In the sectional finals at Community Gym, Huntington fell 78-76 to Musselman’s former Clear Creek team and its own star, Lowell Stouder, who scored 36 points to Musselman’s 30.
Musselman’s lone college offer came from The Citadel and coach Norm Sloan. He had a stellar career there, setting a school scoring record that would stand for 25 years. His number 33 jersey was retired in 2009.
Musselman was head coach at Presbyterian College from 1963-68. He was an assistant at Clemson and then joined Sloan’s staff at North Carolina State when the Wolfpack won the NCAA Championship in 1974.

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Musselman

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With a combination of size and speed, paired with an intense competitive nature, Rex Grossman was a force on the football field.
At Huntington High School, he was a multisport athlete and a two-time All-State performer in football. The 6-foot, 200-pound fullback teamed with speedy halfback Ray Overmire as the “Touchdown Twins.” The duo finished first and second in the state in scoring in 1941.
Grossman joined the Army in 1943, serving in Europe in World War II and earning a Purple Heart. He returned home and played football at Indiana University, where he stood out at multiple positions. He passed up his final college season to join the professional ranks, signing with the Baltimore Colts.
Following a three-year professional career, Grossman returned to Indiana with his family. His three children were all top athletes. He started a contracting business in Bloomington and was involved in the community and with Indiana University. Grossman was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1976. Grossman’s grandson, Rex III, was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy at the University of Florida and quarterbacked the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl.

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Grossman

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Captain Elias Murray, John Tipton, Joel & Champion Helvey
The city of Huntington celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2023. Many pioneers settled in this area as early Americans moved westward, but a very few can be labeled as the founders of the town. John Tipton and Captain Elias Murray provided the land and its initial layout, while Joel and Champion Helvey are remembered as town’s first residents.
Murray was a captain of an Ohio cavalry unit. Tipton was a powerful force in the Indiana Territory who fought in the Battle of Tippecanoe during the War of 1812. After Indiana became a state in 1816, Tipton and Murray teamed in 1830 to purchase land along the route of the planned Wabash & Erie Canal. Murray named the new county after his great uncle, Samuel Huntington, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
In 1830, the Helveys settled at the site of the future town of Huntington. Their first building on the banks of the Little River was used by travelers and became known as the Flint Springs Hotel.
Huntington County was officially authorized in 1832, and the city of Huntington was incorporated in 1848.

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Huntington's Founders

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A few years before the Wright Brothers soared into history from a wind-swept hill at Kitty Hawk, their father helped a Huntington County institution take wing.
Rev. Milton Wright was a pivotal figure in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ at a time when church leaders were seeking a place to educate the denomination’s young people. Without his support and approval, the institution we now know as Huntington University might not have been established here.
Doctrinal difference had led to a division in the Church of the United Brethren Church in 1889 and Wright, one of the denomination’s bishops, led a breakaway group. In 1897, shortly after a group of civic leaders brought Wright and other church officials a timely proposal to locate a college in Huntington, what was initially called Central College came into existence.
Without the courage and determination of Milton Wright’s sons Orville and Wilbur, mankind’s conquest of the air would not have begun as it did. And without Milton Wright’s vision and influence, a transformative chapter in Huntington County’s history might have unfolded differently.

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Wright

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Leo Scheer was surprised to still be alive.
It was June 6, 1944 — D-Day — and he was pinned down under German fire on Omaha Beach. As a Navy medic, Scheer did his duty and helped those that he could, but he could not ignore the soldiers falling all around him. He was finally able to get off the beach three days later. Dodging death many times, he had come through relatively unscathed. He questioned why he had survived when others around him had not. For the rest of his life, Scheer was convinced he had been watched over by a guardian angel.
Ten days after D-Day, Scheer was on his way back to England. He was sent to the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Lander and spent the rest of the war on the ship before being discharged in early 1946.
Back in Huntington, he returned to the family’s contracting business. His brickwork remains on many Huntington buildings. He donated memorabilia of his service to the Huntington County Historical Museum and National World War II Museum in New Orleans, where his medical belt continues to be on display.

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Scheer

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Lessel Long’s memoir “Twelve Months in Andersonville” was a shockingly realistic retelling of his experience in the infamous Civil War prison camp in Georgia.
Born in Randolph County, Indiana, Long initially worked on his family’s farm in Andrews, leaving to apprentice with a blacksmith. When the Civil War broke out, Long joined the Union Army in 1862.
He was captured in Virginia in 1864 and was sent to Camp Sumter, the Confederate prisoner-of-war camp at Andersonville. Of the 45,000 prisoners at the camp, 13,000 died from malnutrition, exposure or disease. Long survived and returned to his home in Andrews following the war, where he held a variety of jobs, from running a carriage business to being proprietor of a grocery store.
He wrote a newspaper column in the Andrews Express with stories of his time in the war. He was encouraged to compile his entire experience in a book. Long’s book shocked the public and became a definitive historical and cultural record, spurring reforms in prisoner treatment.

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Long

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Growing up as one of 13 children, John Wenning’s early life was often chaotic and confusing.
As high school graduation approached, he was unsure of what he wanted to do with his life. He had been taking piano lessons since the eighth grade, and his mother encouraged him to consider a career in music.
A stop-and-start time at Ball State culminated with degrees in music education, and a teaching position at Huntington North High School. Wenning remade the school’s show choir and created one of the most consistently successful programs in the state. His Varsity Singers captured numerous grand championships, including being named Indiana’s top concert choir in 1996.
Wenning has earned multiple teaching awards. He was Huntington County Community Schools Teacher of the Year in 1996, and was recognized by Ball State with an Alumni Achievement Citation in 2006.
Many of his students have followed their choral experience into careers in music. In particular, Wenning has taken pride in finding those students who have the potential to be great, and seeing them overcome circumstances to achieve success.

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Wenning

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Marilyn Morrison holds the distinction of being the first officeholder from a small Indiana town chosen to head the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT). That milestone came in 2001, during the third of her eight terms as clerk-treasurer of the Town of Warren.
Morrison was born in Warren and graduated from Warren High School before earning undergraduate and master’s degrees from Ball State University. She was elected her hometown’s clerk-treasurer in 1991. When the IACT honored her with its Russell G. Lloyd Distinguished Service Award in 2002, she became the first town clerk-treasurer so honored. In 2001, Morrison was recognized by the Warren Chamber of Commerce with its Samuel Jones Award for her contributions to the community. The award holds special meaning for her because it is named for the town’s founder — who is also her great-great-great grandfather.
Though long a fixture at Warren’s Town Hall, Morrison now considers a key part of her job as identifying and mentoring a new generation of leaders for the community she has so ably served.

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Morrison

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Many eateries across Indiana claim to have created the breaded pork tenderloin, and even more say they produce the best the state has to offer. But only at Nick’s Kitchen does the tale of the crispy bun-filler have firm roots. Unofficially recognized as the birthplace of the sandwich, the restaurant tops most rankings as the best tenderloin in Indiana and throughout the Midwest.
Nick Freienstein, who got his start selling hamburgers from a pushcart, opened Nick’s Kitchen in 1908 at 506 N. Jefferson Street. There, he added a new sandwich, a handheld version of the German wiener schnitzel, which quickly became a local favorite.
Gene and Peggy Drabenstot purchased the restaurant in 1969. All five of the Drabenstot children took part in the family business. Daughter Jean Anne bought Nick’s Kitchen from her parents in 1989, and she and her husband Kenny Bailey run the original downtown restaurant. Son Jim and his wife Dana purchased Nick’s Junction in Roanoke that same year. In 1992, daughter Nancy and her husband Ray Bonebrake opened Nick’s Country Cafe in Huntington. All three feature the famous tenderloin.

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Drabenstot Family & Nick Freienstein

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The road to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame was not an easy one for Jenny Eckert Zorger, completed only through toughness, a fierce competitive nature, and a love for the game.
By the time she arrived at Huntington North High School in 1982, it was clear she was a special talent, and was a varsity player even as a freshman. In her senior season, Eckert led the Vikings to a 19-4 record and their second-ever sectional title. She became the first Huntington North player to be named to the Indiana All-Star team.
Ball State made Eckert its top recruit in 1986, and she didn’t disappoint. In her final season in Muncie, Eckert earned First-Team All-MAC honors, and she was named the conference’s player of the year in 1990.
She was selected as Ball State’s Player of the Decade for the 1980s and was chosen for the school’s Hall of Fame in 1998. The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame selected her to the Silver Anniversary Team in 2011, and she earned the ultimate honor when she was individually named to the hall in 2014.

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Zorger

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He never took “no” for an answer, and as was the measure of the man, Ezra Williams turned personal tragedies into opportunities to make a positive impact on his community.
He was a farmer and a big basketball fan who played, coached and officiated games. But in 1950, Williams was stricken with polio, which left him partially paralyzed. Told he would never walk again, he managed to regain limited use of his legs. He turned his basketball attention to the youth of the community and created the Midget League to introduce young boys to the game at an early age.
One promising league player, Kim Howenstine, died in 1964. Williams honored the 10-year-old’s short life by renaming his league as the Kim League. Williams never missed a game, often having to crawl up the steps of the YMCA. He was named Chief of the Flints Springs Tribe in 1973.
Nearly every high school player in Huntington over the past 60 years can trace their basketball beginnings to the Kim League and Williams’ vision emphasizing basic skills, team play and sportsmanship.

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Williams

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The outward persona of Herb LaMont was that of a quiet man, preferring to go about his work in the background. Instead of being the center of attention, he would rather be in his den tying flies for his next fishing trip.
Forty years after his death, however, the legacy he left is very visible, and still impacting the Huntington community. LaMont was one of Huntington County’s business leaders, creating the Maco Corporation and serving as its president until his death.
LaMont suffered a loss when his wife, Edith, died in 1964. A year later at the age of 69, he married Kay Hartzell, who had also lost her spouse the previous year. Their partnership marked a new chapter in each of their lives, and in the lives of many others in Huntington County.
LaMont was one of the organizers and supporters of the Huntington County Association for Retarded Children, which later became Pathfinder Services. Pathfinder honors his efforts with the Herbert D. LaMont Award, annually given to the Pathfinder volunteer of the year. It has become one of the highest honors presented in Huntington County.

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LaMont

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Law was an unlikely career choice for a farm lad from west-central Illinois, but Stanley H. Matheny has made the most of it. He has been an attorney in Huntington for more than six decades, earning a place as a leader in the legal community not just in Huntington County, but throughout Indiana.
Matheny was valedictorian of his high school class and was awarded a full scholarship to Wabash College. After attending Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington he joined the venerable Huntington practice of Lesh & Lesh in 1959 and is still of counsel to the firm, known today at Matheny, Hahn & Denman, LLP.
Matheny has long been active in the local and state bar associations as well as numerous community organizations and as a lay leader at Trinity United Methodist Church. His career has been highlighted by terms as judge of Huntington City Court and as Huntington City Attorney. Over time, his focus has settled on the realm of elder law, and Matheny has maintained his role as the unofficial “dean” of Huntington County attorneys.

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Matheny

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Mike Frame knows all about baseball’s facts and figures. In more than 40 years of playing and coaching at Huntington University, Frame accumulated some impressive numbers himself. But even as a baseball purist, Frame’s time around the diamond has left him believing that the numbers occupy only a small part of his baseball life. The most pride he feels as a coach is watching each of his players come to HU as boys and then grow into young men, husbands and fathers.
Frame was first a player at Huntington, and in 1984 became the Foresters’ head coach. In his 38 seasons, he averaged 24 wins a year. His overall record is 920-754, making him one of the 10 winningest coaches in the history of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
In November of 2020, he was hospitalized with COVID, which later progressed to double pneumonia. Frame developed blood clots, including one that eventually led to the amputation of his right leg below the knee. After missing the 2021 campaign, Frame coached in 2022 before retiring following the season.

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Frame

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A child of German immigrants, Nelson Bechstein was born into the grocery business.
His father opened the namesake downtown market in 1900, and Nelson became owner in 1937 after his father’s death. Nelson ran the Bechstein’s for 55 years, providing quality goods including a full-service meat department and a deli featuring barrels of its signature sauerkraut from a recipe the family brought with them when they immigrated from Germany in 1883.
Customer loyalty allowed the small, family-owned grocery to survive through an era when large supermarkets were running out the neighborhood stores. The Bechsteins never turned away anyone who was in need. They always made sure customers had milk, eggs, cereal or diapers, even after regular store hours.
Nelson was active in the community and was named Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe in 1976. When he died in 1992, his son Steven took over the store. The family celebrated 100 years of the grocery in 2000, but the store closed later that year.
The Bechstein’s building continues to provide food to those in need as a food pantry run by Love, INC.

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Bechstein

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The transformative bond between Orville and Ruth Merillat and Huntington University was forged through a common purpose, based on a shared faith.
After World War II, the Merillats, both Ohio natives, settled down in Adrian, Mich., and opened Merillat Woodworking, Inc. Orville provided the design and craftsmanship while Ruth ran the business operations.
Over the next four decades, Merillat Industries grew into the nation’s largest manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, produced by more than 3,000 employees at 10 facilities. The Merillats, both dedicated members of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, dedicated themselves to return much of what they made to faith-based and community causes.
In the late 1960s, the Merillats’ son Richard was a student at Huntington College, supported by the United Brethren denomination. That association evolved into a philanthropic relationship that transformed the appearance of the 160-acre campus and continues to this day. Both Merillats served on the college’s board of trustees and were awarded honorary doctor of humanities degrees in 1978.

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Merillat

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Doug Ware has spent his life in agriculture, and he understands the importance of having deep roots.
Even through his own travels across the country, and a worldwide reach from the products and methods he has created, Ware credits the foundational strength of his hometown Huntington for the successes in his life.
Ware was a top athlete and student at Huntington High School, playing on the legendary state runnerup 1964 Viking basketball team, and earning a football scholarship to Purdue.
He went on to earn a Ph.D. in animal nutrition and became an innovator in the industry, earning 33 patents for his natural products and methods that have enhanced efficiency in animal production, food safety and animal health.
Ware and his wife, Virginia, have shared their success by giving back to their hometown through donations for a science building at Huntington University and scholarships to help develop a new generation of leaders. He takes a personal mentoring approach, often meeting one-on-one with scholarship recipients.

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Ware

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Like so many others of his age, E.J. Tackett grew up idolizing Tiger Woods. He played golf and found early success. At the same time, he was also becoming a top bowler, following a family tradition in the sport.
Tackett won a state high school bowling title, and earned All-State honors in golf, including a fifth-place finish in the state finals and a pair of Huntington County Amateur championships. He followed the golf path into college at IPFW, but soon decided his future might be in bowling.
The change of course quickly paid dividends. In 2013, Tackett was named Rookie of the Year on the Professional Bowlers Association tour. In 2016 at age 24, Tackett won four events on the tour, including his first major in the PBA World Championship. He earned the Chris Schenkel Player of the Year award, named after the legendary sports broadcaster, also a Huntington County native. With 13 wins over a four-year span, Tackett established himself as the top bowler of his generation.

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Tackett

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Kil-so-quah was a member of the Myaamia nation and granddaughter of Chief Little Turtle. She was born in 1810 at the Forks of the Wabash.
When she was a little girl, Kil-so-quah moved with her family from the Miami Village at the Forks to the junction of Rock Creek and the Wabash River, near the present town of Markle. She was married twice, first at the age of 16. She had six children, four of which died in infancy. Her surviving daughter left with the Miami who were relocated to Kansas and Oklahoma in the late 1840’s. Kil-so-quah and her surviving son were allowed to remain on their land.
Kil-so-quah remained loyal to her Native American heritage, retaining the Miami language and adhering to their customs. In her older age, she delighted in telling visitors about her childhood and helping to preserve Miami history.
On July 4, 1910 the citizens of Roanoke honored Kil-so-quah with a massive celebration. As many as 10,000 visitors filled the streets. She died September 4, 1915, and was mourned as the “last of the royal Miamis.”

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Kil-so-quah

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On November 18, 2017, more than 60,000 people filled Detroit’s Ford Field to witness a special ceremony honoring a simple, humble man of God who had spent his life among the poor and the infirm.
The beatification of Father Solanus Casey bestowed upon him the title of “Blessed,” the final step before sainthood, which would make Father Solanus the first American-born Catholic male saint.
Bernard Francis Casey was born in Wisconsin in 1870. Known as Barney, he was the sixth of 16 children in a devout Catholic family. As a young man, he worked a series of odd jobs before a life-changing incident led him to pursue a call to the priesthood.
Taking the religious name “Solanus,” the new priest soon became known for his inspirational words and healing hand that followed him through his mission assignments. From 1946-56, he lived at the St. Felix Friary in Huntington, where he never turned away visitors who made pilgrimages to see him.
Fr. Solanus died in 1957. There is a statue and shrine to him at St. Felix.

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Casey

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John Albert Crago was with the United States Army’s 17th Ordnance Company in the Philippines when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Crago soon found himself in combat.
In the early months of 1942 and with supplies running out, American and Filipino soldiers were captured and force-marched to a prisoner of war camp, an event known as the Bataan Death March. Crago survived the brutal three-day march, but more than a thousand of his fellow American prisoners did not.
Crago spent four years in the horrendous conditions of Japanese prison camps, during which his weight fell from 140 to 95 pounds. Allied forces liberated Crago and the American POWs in September, 1945, ending 40 months of captivity. He returned to Huntington and married Florence Walters in 1947 and they had four daughters. He later served as National Commander of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor from 1983-84. Crago died in 2005.

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Crago

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During his life, Clare Hobart William Bangs earned many titles. He was known as a college president, city mayor, newsman, attorney, pilot, major land owner, and social advocate. But he made his mark on a national scale with another moniker — jail inmate.
Bangs was just 25 years old when he was named president of Central College in 1919, becoming the youngest college president in the country. The school’s name was changed to Huntington College and Bangs oversaw its rapid expansion.
He left the college in 1919, earned a law degree, and started his own law practice in Huntington. He was a fierce advocate for the poor and underprivileged until his death in 1973. He also owned the Huntington News and ran the newspaper for 37 years.
Bangs was elected mayor in 1934, and became a national figure when he was jailed for ignoring a court order to desist from providing city utilities to citizens struggling to pay for commercial services during the Depression. He spent 633 days and a bulk of his mayoral term behind bars in defiance of the order.

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Bangs

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Francis Anthony “Bill” Fink’s lasting legacy to Huntington County was overseeing the expansion of Our Sunday Visitor, including the construction of its current building at the eastern edge of Huntington.
After his graduation from the University of Notre Dame in 1930, Fink joined OSV with his uncle, Bishop John Francis Noll, who founded the printing business in Huntington while pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Fink held the title of managing editor, and worked closely with Bishop Noll in the original building located in downtown Huntington. With the expansion of the company, it became clear that the OSV building at Park Drive and Warren Street was inadequate. The new building was completed in 1961, by which time the circulation of the publication had reached one million copies per week.
As executive vice president, Fink guided the continued growth of the company. He served as a national leader with two terms as president of the Catholic Press Association. He died on Dec. 4, 1971.

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Fink

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Dale Francis was a passionate man.
He certainly was passionate in his Christian faith. His lasting imprint was his passion for communicating; for telling stories, whether it was as a 14-year-old writing sports for a small Ohio daily newspaper, or as a columnist reaching out to a million American Catholics through his commentary as executive editor of Our Sunday Visitor.
Francis served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, during which he converted to Catholicism. He started diocesan publications in North Carolina and Texas, and was the founder of the University of Notre Dame Press.
He wrote a syndicated column that ran in 23 newspapers across the country and provided one of the most prolific and influential voices on issues of importance to the Catholic Church. He joined OSV as executive editor in 1964.
Francis showed his passion for the Huntington community in the last 10 years of his life through his “Our Town” columns for the Huntington Herald-Press, with his local vignettes painting a vivid tapestry of his adopted hometown.

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Francis

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Though nearly 60 years have passed since wiry Roanoke native Gene Hartley qualified a car for the Indianapolis 500, his family’s business and sporting roots still nourish pride and memories in his hometown of Roanoke.
Leslie Eugene “Gene” Hartley was born Jan. 28, 1926, to Paul T. and Sarah Rupert Hartley. His father, who went by Ted, was a mechanic in the family business – the Hartley Garage.
Gene Hartley graduated from Roanoke High School in 1944. After stints in the Army Air Corps and at Purdue University, he returned to Roanoke and began racing in earnest.
His success in smaller race cars soon brought him to the attention of car owners in the highest levels of American racing. He qualified for the first Indianapolis 500 he entered, in 1950, and finished 16th. Over the next 12 years, Hartley qualified for nine more Indianapolis 500s.
Hartley competed in the top ranks of U.S. racing in midgets, sprint cars, stock cars, and Indianapolis-style “championship” cars for 16 years.

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Hartley

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By the time she was a senior at Huntington North, Lisa Winter had become the top girls basketball player in Indiana, leading one of the top prep programs in the country.
Winter grew up with a number of strong role models in Huntington. She saw Jenny Eckert become Huntington’s first Indiana All-Star, and watched the Lady Vikings reach the state finals two straight years, including a state title in 1990.
She joined coach Fred Fields’ team at HNHS, establishing herself as a leader of a talented squad. Winter was relentless as a defender, and flashed a multifaceted game on offense. She led the Lady Vikings to the state title in 1995, and was named the tournament MVP.
In Winter’s final two seasons, Huntington North compiled a 53-2 record. As a senior, she averaged nearly 20 points a game and was named Indiana Miss Basketball.
Winter went on to play collegiately at Ball State and Valparaiso. She followed with a career in coaching, first at Ben Davis High School and then at Indianapolis Cathedral.

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Winter Finn

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“If Eric Clapton played jazz, he’d be Denny Jiosa.”
The comparison from a leading music magazine puts into clear context the quality of Denny Jiosa’s music and the level of regard the guitarist has earned over his career.
While still a student at Crestview Junior High, Jiosa was writing and performing music. It wasn’t long after graduating from Huntington North High School that he was producing and on tour opening for major acts such as Bo Diddley and BB King.
He is a Grammy-nominated producer and sought-after session guitarist, playing everything from polka to gospel, rock to country, to blues and his signature jazz. All those influences plus his natural gifts have fed into a diverse solo style, giving him a sound that defies classification and draws respect as an innovator.
Jiosa made his way to the American music mecca of Nashville, where he has been a fixture for more than three decades. In addition to working on more than 200 albums as producer, engineer or musician, he has put out nine solo albums. He recently has shared his love of wine, creating events to pair tastings with his music.

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Jiosa

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First Federal Savings Bank can trace its corporate lineage back more than a century. But the First Federal we know today began 62 years ago, when a Huntington businessman, William Zahn, joined the board of directors of People’s Savings and Loan. That board appointment led to Zahn becoming a bank employee. He rose quickly to become a vice president and, in 1963, was named its president. Three years later, the institution’s name was changed to First Federal Savings and Loan, now First Federal Savings Bank. William Zahn retired from First Federal in 1990, but his legacy of family leadership continues at the institution. His son, Stephen E. Zahn, joined the bank in 1966 and became its president and chief operating officer in 1980. The third generation of Zahn family leadership at First Federal arrived when Stephen Zahn’s son Michael joined the business in 1996. He succeeded his father as president and in 2011 became the bank’s CEO.

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Zahn Family

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Walter Rusk had a profound influence on Huntington County still evident today. As county agricultural agent for more than 20 years, he helped local farmers to modernize methods. He advocated for young people and developed one of the top 4-H programs in Indiana. Serving as county agent from 1941-63, Rusk was an important liaison between the rural community and the Huntington business community. He established the annual Achievement Night that was the social highlight of the year for both the rural population and city folk. His lasting influence was on the young people of the county. He created the Rural Youth program, an organization with activities for young people after high school that was eventually adopted all over the state. Rusk bolstered the Huntington County 4-H program, building one of the largest enrollments in the state. He had the vision for the local 4-H Fair, making the focus on the youth and their projects instead of adding a carnival midway — a model that continues to this day.

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Rusk

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While being held in a Japanese prison camp in the Philippines in 1945, Roxy Lefforge was just moments away from being killed by her captors when American forces stormed the camp, rescuing her and 2,000 other prisoners. A Methodist minister, Lefforge had been a missionary in China and the Philippines since 1918. Despite her harrowing experience, she was determined to remain in the Far East to continue her work after the war. She helped create the Philippine Wesleyan University and served as president and executive dean of the Philippine Christian Colleges. Lefforge returned to the United States in 1954 and settled in Huntington, where she was a professor at Huntington College from 1954-64. She was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church until her death in 1977. Her presence remains in the Philippines with the Roxy Lefforge Methodist Church and the Roxy Lefforge Foundation Colleges.

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Lefforge

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In looking for an All-American hero to represent Huntington, or any other community for that matter, the search needs only reach the name of Harold Dean Shultz. A top student, star athlete, war hero, dedicated teacher and devoted husband and father, Hal Shultz filled every one of those roles throughout his remarkable life with uncommon humility and dignity. A standout athlete and valedictorian at Huntington High School, Shultz earned an appointment to West Point. He was a standout football player and earned the Army Athletic Association trophy as the school’s top student athlete, graduating 11th in his class. Shultz became a fighter pilot in the Air Force, serving in Korea and Vietnam. Among his many honors were a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Distinguished Flying Cross awards for his actions and service. He also served as an instructor, and earned three master’s degrees. Upon retirement from the military, he began a teaching career. He died in 1978 at the age of 48.

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Shultz

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John Niederman and Pathfinder Services have been on an extraordinary journey, together, for nearly 35 years. Pathfinder, the Huntington-based social services agency, has earned state and national accolades for the breadth and quality of its human and community development services. Niederman has led the organization to that recognition, and in the process has himself been recognized as an imaginative, inspiring voice in social services policy. In 1978, Niederman, a Notre Dame graduate, and his wife Judy moved to Fort Wayne, where John took a position as director of special services and vocational education for the Anthony Wayne Rehabilitation Center. Niederman joined Pathfinder in March 1985 as its president and chief executive officer. Under his leadership, Pathfinder has become a statewide leader in comprehensive human and community development efforts and has established offices in several northern Indiana locations.

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Niederman

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For more than 90 years, the Johnson family has provided the daily fuel to keep the residents of Huntington County moving. Initially, that meant the actual gasoline that filled the cars and trucks. Later, the business expanded to offer a different kind of fuel — the coffee, donuts and snacks from their Johnson Junction convenience stores with a variety of offerings for people on the go. Edward Johnson started Johnson Petroleum while working for Standard Oil in 1928. He sold the business to his son, Ralph, in 1971. Ralph continued to build the business by adding volume, trucks, and opening it first convenience store in 1975. When Ralph retired in 1999, he sold the wholesale division to his son Ryan, and the retail business to his daughter Darlene. Through the years, all of the Johnsons have given back to the community. They have been on numerous boards, volunteered in service and church organizations and contributed philanthropically.

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Johnson Family

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Eugene B. Habecker was born in the house he grew up in – one of six siblings on a dairy farm in Lancaster County, near Hershey, Pa. As a student with “big dreams” of a life beyond bucolic Pennsylvania, he yearned for an education at a Christian college. He found that at Taylor University, where he also found a fellow student, Marylou Napolitano, who would become his wife. Habecker came to Huntington in the summer of 1978 as the eventual successor to President E. DeWitt Baker. He spent his first year on the job assembling the college’s long-range development plan, which has served as the blueprint for the ongoing physical transformation of the campus. At age 35, Habecker became one of the youngest college presidents in America. For the next decade, Eugene Habecker worked to carry out the plan he had designed. He left Huntington in 1991 to head the American Bible Society, then returned to Taylor as its president in 2005. He retired from Taylor in 2016.

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Habecker

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George Haines began his swimming career in the legendary Huntington YMCA program under coach Glen Hummer. Haines followed Hummer into coaching, and in 2001 was named Coach of the Century by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He swam on Huntington’s national championship teams in 1940 and 1946. After serving in World War II, Haines went west, coaching at Santa Clara High School and starting the Santa Clara Swim Club. His high school team won 215 consecutive dual meets and 11 unofficial national titles. From 1968 to 1970, his swimmers held national high school records in all strokes at every distance. The club team won 43 national titles and broke more than 200 world records. Haines produced 53 Olympians, including Mark Spitz, amassing 44 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals. Haines was head U.S. Olympic coach three times. Haines died in 2006. A statue of Haines stands over the Santa Clara pool where he coached, now called the George F. Haines International Swim Center.

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Haines

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Growing up in the basketball hotbed of Muncie, it was inevitable that the game would make an impact on the life of Fred Fields. A Muncie Southside High School alum, Fields became friends with several Muncie legends who would become lifelong influences. He began a teaching and coaching career at Huntington North High School, initially coaching in the boys program before taking over as girls head coach in 1987. Fields led the Lady Vikings to their first state finals appearance in 1989, losing in the semifinals. The next season, Huntington North won its final 21 games en route to the school’s first state championship. The Lady Vikings added a second title in 1995, finishing with a 28-1 record. In a two-year run through 1996, the Lady Vikes won 44 straight games, reaching No. 3 in one national poll. In his 10 seasons at HNHS, Fields compiled a 206-49 record. He coached three Indiana All-Stars, and in 1996, he was named coach of the Indiana All-Star team. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.

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Fields

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With his record of service, David Brewer has heard a lot of knocks on the door looking for his help. Since arriving in Huntington in 1963, Brewer has been involved in the launching of several organizations and sat in leadership of many others. He has volunteered his time to projects as varied as coaching PAL Basketball to helping restore the LaFontaine Center. The Cleveland native came to town after earning his undergraduate and law degrees from Indiana University and joined the firm of Bowers, Feightner & Palmer. He has held leadership positions in the Huntington County Bar Association, and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court, the U.S. District Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Brewer’s lengthy resume of volunteering earned him the first-ever Charles Burgess Award from Huntington Kiwanis and the Herbert LaMont Award from Pathfinder Services. He was named the 1982 Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe.

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Brewer

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Thais Wilhelm stepped away from her duties as office manager for the Huntington County Sheriff’s Department in 1985 and made history a year later as Indiana’s first popularly elected female county sheriff. The 1947 Huntington High School graduate entered pubic service in 1958 and became well-known in the community for her clerical work at a succession of government agencies. After joining the Sheriff’s Department, she rose to the rank of office deputy – a uniformed position managing the administration of both the sheriff’s department and the Huntington County Jail. In 1985, she was named interim sheriff by Sheriff Ray Williams when he resigned the post, then was elected sheriff from a field of six candidates in a Democrat special election to fill Williams’ unexpired term. A year later, she made Indiana history when she was elected to a four-year term in her own right. That was followed by a second full term in 1990. Sheriffs are limited to two terms, and she retired in 1994. As sheriff, she instituted the inmate trusty system at the jail, and in retirement, she stayed active in community affairs and in the congregation of Central Christian Church.

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Wilhelm

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Frederick Samuel Cooper Grayston was set up for a successful future in his native England when he and his new bride decided they would make a new life for themselves in America. They settled in Huntington, where Dr. FSC Grayston became one of the state’s top physicians and left a legacy in his adopted hometown that has lasted to the current day. Arriving in 1850 in Huntington, Grayston set up his medical practice. He continued his studies in Chicago, graduating in 1860. In 1864 he was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as examining surgeon for invalid pensioners, an office he filled for twenty years. Dr. Grayston was committed to lifelong learning, and earned a master of arts degree from Butler in 1880 at the age of 57. He contributed numerous articles to the medical community that were widely published, and held memberships in several medical associations. He was active in many Huntington organizations. He was a voracious reader, and built one of the most extensive libraries in northern Indiana. All three of his sons and a grandson followed him into local medical practice.

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Grayston

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Eshelman

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For all that she packed into her life, May Kay LaMont needed every one of the 102 years she spent on this earth. Above all, her dedication to the children of Huntington County will be her legacy. That passion led to Kay LaMont spearheading the raising of funds for the creation of Kids Kampus, the child-care arm of Huntington’s Pathfinder Services. She was a trailblazer, as the first woman to serve on the Huntington College Board of Trustees, and in 1981 was the first woman to be named Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe for her service to the community. While on the Pathfinder Foundation Board of Directors, she was integral in creating the Herbert LaMont Award in honor of her late husband in 1986. The LaMont Award honors a member of the Huntington community who has gone above and beyond in the service to those with developmental disabilities.

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LaMont

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Fred Loew was a Michigan native who was among the earliest graduates of Huntington College. He returned to his alma mater just two years later — in 1904 — to teach botany and biology. Those pursuits led him into the broader study of agriculture, inspiring him to establish a degree program and an agricultural experiment station on campus. During World War I, Loew was tapped to organize 60 acres of community “victory gardens,” and that effort led to his being appointed in 1918 as the county’s first Agricultural Agent. He served just four years in that capacity, but is credited with championing the cold pack method of canning and introducing soybeans to northeast Indiana as a cash crop. Loew taught at Huntington College for more than 30 years, and during that time was instrumental in creating the school’s botanical garden/arboretum and its herbarium. The herbarium contains more than 12,000 plant species from Huntington County and survives to this day. Loew also championed development of local 4-H program and, as an influential fair board member, was a driving force in imparting a 4-H focus to the annual Huntington County Fair.

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Loew

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At the start of the 20th century, dentistry had yet to enter the modern age. Methods and tools were primitive, and there was little in the way of national organization for dentists to communicate or collaborate. Otto King was born in Huntington, and following his graduation from dental school, he returned to his hometown to begin his practice. Dr. King quickly became involved with dental organizations on a state and national level, rising to president of the Indiana State Dental Association. More importantly, as first General Secretary of the National Dental Association (now executive director of the American Dental Association), he founded the Official Bulletin of the National Dental Association. His publication, printed by Huntington’s Whitelock Press, united fellow dentists with a journal free of bias or special interests. Dr. King’s work was instrumental in ushering in the era of modern dentistry. Professional collaboration, innovation in the industry, and the implementation of dental ethics all advanced during his era.

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King

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Appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Memorial Home for the Aged in 1937, Dewey and Julia Souder moved to Warren, Indiana, from pastoring a Methodist Church in Roanoke to be Administrator of the Home in Warren. Dr. Souder served as Administrator for 28 years followed by his son, Philip E. Souder, who took over full leadership responsibilities in 1965. The current United Methodist Memorial Home CEO is David P. Souder (Philip’s son) who has served in that capacity since 1993. The United Methodist Memorial Home was founded on the philosophy of helping senior citizens fully enjoy their retirement years, a philosophy of fostering friendship, belonging, security, and dignity, by respecting individual privacy and independence while offering professional and thoughtful medical care and guidance. United Methodist Memorial Home owns and operates Heritage Pointe of Warren, Heritage Pointe of Huntington, and Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne with 750 employees, over $85 million in assets and serves more than 900 residents at the three locations.

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Souder

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From a horseshoe pit in the backyard of their Grayston Avenue home, the Seibolds became the most famous family name in the sport. Curly and Bonnie Seibold made horseshoe pitching a family event for their children Bonita, Mark and Paris. All three became champions. Mark won world men’s titles in 1976 and 1979 to go along with a state-record 22 Indiana titles. Bonita was junior girls state and world champion in 1967, and Paris added junior boys titles in 1969 and 1971. Bonnie won 17 state championships, while Curly earned senior titles. Both have held leadership positions at the state and national level. Bonnie was national vice president for 28 years. Curly, Bonnie and Mark are all in the national and state halls of fame, and Bonita and Paris are both in the Indiana junior hall. Lee Seibold, son of Paris, is the third-generation champion in the sport, winning four straight Indiana junior championships.

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Seibold

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Homer Hiner, born into a Huntington County farm family, was president of his high school senior class and played on a county champion basketball team. After a hitch in the Navy he returned home to open a diesel engine repair shop on Huntington’s south side. Before long he was driving his own truck and his company began securing hauling contracts. Hiner Transport quickly grew into a major regional carrier. His original complement of three trucks grew to a fleet of 132 tractors, 360 trailers, and 152 employees, and the trucks were a familiar sight on highways and byways for more than three decades. At home, Hiner was a key figure in civic projects from bicycle tracks to shooting ranges to all manner of assistance to community festivals. For decades he and his wife, Marj, supported, in ways large and small, advancement at Huntington and Ball State universities, Parkview Health, the Boys and Girls Club and the Historic Forks of the Wabash.

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Hiner

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John Kissinger was looking for a life in the military when he marched into the annals of history. He was serving with the Army in Cuba following the Spanish-American War when he volunteered for an experiment into the cause of the deadly yellow fever. Kissinger allowed himself to be bitten by mosquitoes carrying the disease, and he contracted yellow fever. Kissinger survived, and experiments allowed doctors to develop a serum, saving millions of lives. After his service, Kissinger returned to the United States, suffering several health problems, including the loss of the use of his legs. Kissinger and his wife moved to Huntington, but he was denied a pension and they became nearly destitute. Kissinger eventually regained the use of his legs, and funds were raised to build the couple a house in Huntington. Hailed as a hero when his story became known nationally, Kissinger was awarded a special gold medal by Congress in 1929.

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Kissinger

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It was the golden age of college football, and Huntington native Harry Mehre experienced the game in just about every way possible. He went to the University of Notre Dame to play basketball, but was noticed by Irish football coach Knute Rockne, who convinced Mehre to join the football team as well, where he was the center on Rockne’s “Seven Mules” offensive line blocking for legendary George Gipp. Mehre and Rockne maintained a friendship after Mehre became football coach at the University of Georgia. Mehre put the Bulldog program on the map with an upset of national power Yale in 1929. He coached at Georgia for 10 years, then followed with a seven-year run coaching at the University of Mississippi, finishing with a career record of 98-60-7. Mehre joined the media side, writing for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. For more than 20 years he offered analysis and memories with his unique combination of insight and humor.

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Mehre

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The man who would write the definitive history of early Huntington County got his start as the area’s original music man. Born in 1859 in Roanoke, Frank Sumner Bash was a farmer and had a piano and organ business. He was a singer and choirmaster, and taught and promoted music throughout the county. He headed many musical societies and performed across the country. Bash entered the world of journalism, eventually became editor of the Daily and Weekly Herald, where he remained for 17 years. In 1914, he compiled a book, “The History of Huntington County,” a two-volume, 850-page tome written with the help of U.S. Lesh, Monroe Wiley and Frank A. Miner. Bash continued to write about the history of Huntington County, interviewing county residents for a series of newspaper columns from 1922 to 1931. Many of the subjects were the county’s oldest residents who recalled their memories of the earliest days of Huntington County.

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Bash

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Jerry Yeoman was one of those rare people who not only comes up with ideas but takes a leadership role in helping put the ideas into action. He started Yeoman Engineering in the garage at his home on North Lafontaine Street in 1959. Yeoman built his company into a successful and well-respected business producing high-quality precision industrial molds. He was active in the United Way and served on the Huntington County Medical Memorial Foundation for many years. His passion for building Huntington’s infrastruture led him to a co-found the Lime City Economic Development Commission and he was instrumental in the development of River Forks Industrial Park. His care for the people of Huntington County showed with his involvement in establishing Pathfinder Services, PAL and Little League (Gemmer Field) baseball, and the LaFontaine Center.

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Yeoman

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With products distributed to more than 90 countries, Van Buren-based Weaver Popcorn is one of the leading brands in the business. Welcome Weaver brought the company to prominence after he came on board in 1945 to join his father, who started the business in 1928. Welcome Weaver was also active in the Huntington County community in leadership with the Methodist Church, the local YMCA and on the school board, where he assisted Huntington County through consolidation in the 1960s.

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Weaver

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Bob Straight’s coaching excellence on the basketball court was highlighted by leading Huntington High School to a runner-up finish in the 1964 state basketball tournament. He demonstrated his leadership off the court as well. Following a coaching career that saw him win 71 percent of his games, Straight took over as principal at Huntington and helped lead the community through consolidation. He later assumed leadership roles with the IHSAA and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, guiding construction of the hall’s building in New Castle.

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Straight

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Gene Snowden has never been shy about expressing his love for Huntington County, and he has spent his life in service to its residents. He has served the community in a number of elected offices. He first served on Huntington County Council, then followed with election to the Indiana House of Representatives and eventually the Senate. He later retuned to Huntington to serve as auditor, and finally won election as mayor, where he oversaw expansion of business and technology.

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Snowden

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Warren’s Pulse Opera House was a center of entertainment more than a century ago, but it took Cynthia Smyth-Wartzok to rescue the theater and revive it as a home of the arts. Since she restored the building in 1986, Smyth-Wartzok has directed more than 130 productions. She has exposed the local population, including more than 10,000 young people, to live theater, many for the first time. She has been honored numerous times from the local to international level, and continues to give her time as a volunteer in addition to her work with the Pulse Opera House.

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Smyth-Wartzok

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The writing career of humorist H. Allen Smith, who delighted readers worldwide in the middle of the 20th century, began as teenage cub reporter for the Huntington Press. Smith was born in 1907 in McLeansboro, Ill. His family moved to Huntington shortly after World War I. He left school after the 8th grade and joined the Press at age 15. By 1929 he had worked his way to New York City, where he honed his unique style. During World War II, Smith became one of the most popular authors in America. It was a time when people desperately needed a laugh, and he delivered. He burst into the literary scene in 1941 with the autobiographical “Low Man On a Totem Pole,” which included chapters detailing his exploits in Huntington. The last of his 37 books was published in 1970, six years before his death

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Smith

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Jim Shuttleworth was an engineering visionary and entrepreneur who took materials-handling innovation from Huntington County to a worldwide market. Shuttleworth, Inc. – founded in 1962 in Warren and later moved to Huntington – became a leader in conveyor systems for custom manufacturing and shipping needs. Jim Shuttleworth was the guiding force in the company’s global expansion. At home, he supported a variety of civic causes as well as his alma mater Purdue University, and Huntington University. He was a pilot who restored and flew World War II-vintage military aircraft. He lost his life at the controls of one of those planes in 2003.

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Shuttleworth

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Among the greatest sportscasters of all time, Chris Schenkel broadcast sports on television and radio from all corners of the world. With his recognizable baritone, the Bippus native was the voice of New York Giants football, boxing, Triple Crown horse racing, the Masters golf tournament and the Olympics, among many others. Later in his career he became the most recognizable broadcaster in the history of professional bowling. Schenkel was National Sportscaster of the year four times. He was inducted into 16 halls of fame and earned a lifetime achievement Emmy award.

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Schenkel

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One of Huntington’s longest-lasting and most successful businesses had humble beginnings. Alvin and Clara Schenkel’s dairy started with just two cows, but grew to not only be know for their business acumen, but for the quality of their products, which have been honored nationally on multiple occasions. Schenkel Dairy remained in the family through four generations, and over the years the dairy and those family members have been active in helping to create better communities in Huntington County.

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Schenkel

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In 1904, Luke Scheer was born in Huntington County, and from an early age he was immersed in the rich native history of the area,. His mother Elizabeth was raised in St. Marys, Kansas, which had been a Jesuit Mission for the Pottawatomi. As a child, Scheer attended Miami-center events, such as the 100th birthday of Kilsoquah, the granddaughter of Little Turtle. As an adult, Scheer followed his interest in the Miami people. In 1943, he purchased the historical home of Miami (Myaamia) leader Jean Baptiste Richardville located at the Forks of the Wabash, near Huntington. He spent years researching and preserving the Miami culture. Through his work, he gained a reputation for being knowledgeable in Miami history and genealogy. He was a champion for the Miami’s rights and was dedicated to the goal of federal recognition of the Miami Indians of Indiana. He helped lay the groundwork for Huntington’s Historic Forks of the Wabash.

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Scheer

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Arthur Sapp put Huntington, Indiana, on the international map when he was elected as the president of Rotary International in June of 1927. Originally a teacher, Sapp earned his law degree and started a practice in Huntington in 1912. He was prosecuting attorney for three terms. In addition to his involvement in Rotary, Sapp was involved locally with the YCMA and was a founding member of the Huntington County Red Cross among numerous other local and state organizations.

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Sapp

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One of Huntington’s most dedicated public servants, Ed Roush served the Huntington community as a member of the military, as a local attorney and prosecutor, and as a legislator at the state level then as a member of the U.S House of Representatives. He is known as the father of the 911 emergency telephone system, and for his environmental work that culminated with the Huntington dam and lake being renamed for him in 1997. Following his political career, Roush later served as interim president of Huntington College.

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Roush

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In 1963, Mel Ring left a career in radio to open a Sherwin-Williams Paint store in downtown Huntington. He was a member of City Council in the early 1970s when Huntington developed its downtown pedestrian shopping mall, and his vision for the future of the community helped organizations like River Forks Industrial Park, Lime City Economic Development Corporation, the Historic Forks, the Dan Quayle Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Club become established. For nearly 60 years, the lessons of progress, cooperation and goodwill taught by Mel Ring have improved countless lives in the community he has served.

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Ring

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For more than 30 years, Fr. Ron Rieder has been a spiritual leader in the Huntington community as priest of the SS. Peter and Paul parish. In addition to leading his own parish, Fr. Ron has been active throughout Huntington, serving on boards of numerous organizations. He serves as chaplain to the police and fire departments and ministers to inmates at the Huntington jail. Fr. Ron was instrumental in the renovation of the St. Felix Monastery when he had once studied as a young novitiate in the 1950s.

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Rieder

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Despite a lineage of tribal leadership, Jean Baptiste de Richardville still had to prove himself worthy of leading the Miami Indian nation. He was half-white, half-Miami, his mother Tah-kum-wah the sister of the great Miami Chief Little Turtle. Richardville’s bravery on behalf of the tribe earned him the respect that eventually elevated him to Chief on Little Turtle’s death. Richardville oversaw and protected the affairs of the Miami, securing land and building a trading post at the Forks of the Wabash.

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Richardville

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Helen Purviance, was the original Salvation Army “Doughnut Girl.” She figured out how to make the deep-fried treats from the scant supplies available in the front-line trenches of France during World War I. Born in 1889, Helen was enrolled as a soldier at the Huntington Corps in 1906. A year later she entered the Salvation Army’s officer training college in New York, N.Y. In 1908, she was sent to the front in France during World War I where she came up with the idea of making doughnuts to help comfort the soldiers. Working in the trenches at a short pot-bellied stove fueled by a wood fire, Lt. Colonel Helen said, “I was literally on my knees when those first doughnuts were fried, seven at a time, in a small pan. There was a prayer in my heart that somehow this home touch would do more for those who ate the doughnuts than satisfy a physical hunger.”

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Purviance

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Native New Yorker Emmaline “Emmy” Purviance Henn left her adopted hometown of Huntington twin legacies -- a place for adults to live in dignity and comfort, and a place that helps children fulfill their potential. Emmy’s family moved to Huntington in 1943 and she married businessman Don Purviance in 1946. As a homemaker, she became involved in local civic and church boards and eventually stepped into leadership roles, first with the LaFontaine Center Restoration, then with the Boys and Girls Club of Huntington County. The LaFontaine Hotel held wonderful memories for Emmy. When the decaying hotel was at a crossroads in 1981, she helped lead a not-for-profit effort to restore the building as housing for older adults. Don Purviance died in 1999. Emmy married Robert Henn in 2004 and she remained one of the city’s most influential and esteemed citizens until her death in 2014.

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Purviance

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A record-setting basketball player at Huntington College, Steve Platt returned to his alma mater as coach and turned the Foresters into a national power during his tenure. Platt was first a high school star at Union High School. At Huntington College he scored 3,700 points which is still tops among Indiana college players. In 14 years as a coach, Platt led the Foresters to 329 wins and a spot in the NAIA national tournament seven times, culminating with an appearance in the 2006 championship game.

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Platt

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Eiffel Plasterer was a teacher-turned-showman who used the humble soap bubble to both instruct and entertain. He became intrigued by bubbles as a physics student at DePauw University in the 1920s, and after a 40-year career teaching physics at Huntington High School, took his “Bubbles Concerto” to audiences across America. He created bubbles in unusual colors and geometric shapes, while some would perform “tricks” at his bidding. Along the way, Plasterer used his fragile tools to impart lessons in chemistry, physics … or everyday aspirations: “Life,” he once observed, “is like blowing bubbles – our hopes and our dreams. And they don’t all have to break.”

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Plasterer

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Perhaps the best-known Catholic communicator of his time, the works of Archbishop John F. Noll and his Huntington-based Our Sunday Visitor publication reached nearly every Catholic household in the country, with a circulation of 1 million at its peak. He was an outspoken advocate for numerous causes and worked against anti-Catholic efforts. He was instrumental in the building of churches, schools and orphanages, and was a best-selling author of numerous books.

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Noll

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A Huntington lawyer, Milligan opposed President Abraham Lincoln’s conduct of the Civil War, and he was arrested, tried and sentenced by a military tribunal. Milligan challenged the case, claiming his prosecution by a military court was unconstitutional while civilian courts were still operating. The case eventually reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in Milligan’s favor and he was released after two years in prison. The case, Ex Parte Milligan, became a landmark case in U.S. history.

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Milligan (Ex Parte Milligan)

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Also known as Topeah, or “frost on leaves”, Francis LaFontaine was the last principal chief of the unified Miami tribe. He became chief of his Miami village in 1828 at the age of 18. He worked with his father-in-law, Chief Jean Baptiste de Richardville, on a treaty in 1840 that would eventually move half the Miami nation west of the Mississippi. LaFontaine became chief in 1841 after the death of Richardville and moved into Richardville’s tribal headquarters house at the Forks of the Wabash.

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LaFontaine

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Most well known for her role in building the Indiana Room at the Huntington City-Township Public Library well before it was moved to its present location, Joan Keefer has dedicated over 40 years to the library, the city, and the county of Huntington. Her knowledge and memory of people and places surpasses anyone’s expectations. From teaching genealogy and local history to classes of school children, to assisting in finding long-lost grandparents to patrons who walked in the library or contacted her as County Historian and County Genealogist, Keefer has helped thousands of people. The complilation of materials has been a valuable resource in preserving the history of Huntington County and its people.

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Keefer

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One of Huntington’s early sports stars, Ralph “Boag” Johnson excelled in basketball at the high school level at Union Center and then at Huntington College, where he was among the top scorers in the state. Johnson then was a pioneer player in the early days of NBA with the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. After his playing career, Johnson became a coach, teacher and administrator at Columbia City and Warsaw high schools.

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Johnson

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Among the greatest swimming coaches in U.S. history, Glen Hummer is known as the pioneer of Open Water Swimming. He coached the Huntington YMCA teams for more than 40 years and made them one of the top teams in the country. He was a coach for the U.S. Olympic team and numerous national teams and his Huntington swimming program produced a pair of Olympic medal winners. Huntington YMCA teams won 12 national championships under Hummer and produced 35 All-Americans.

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Hummer

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During an adult lifetime of service to her adopted home community, Marj Hiner has taken leadership positions with scores of boards, committees, and community projects. She was instrumental in establishing the current local chapter of the American Business Women’s Association, which has raised thousands of dollars in scholarship assistance for Huntington County students. Her long political association with Dan Quayle was highlighted when she spearheaded local preparations for his historic visit to Huntington with Republican presidential nominee George H. W. Bush in August, 1988, that launched the Bush-Quayle ticket’s successful campaign for the White House.

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Hiner

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One of the country's most decorated sportswriters and sports authors, Hammel was named Indiana sportswriter of the year 16 times and has been honored by numerous halls of fame. A graduate of Huntington High School, the longtime sports editor of the Bloomington Herald-Times has covered NCAA basketball championships and multiple Olympic Games, among many other top events. He is the author of several books, including numerous publications on the Indiana University men's basketball team and coach Bob Knight.

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Hammel

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Dr. R.M. “Doc” Hafner was a civic force of nature who devoted the last half of a remarkable career to helping people and businesses in Huntington County prosper and grow. Reared on a family farm in Allen County, Hafner was an Army Air Corps pilot in World War II. He was a large-animal veterinarian who gravitated to banking and became chairman of the board and president of Community State Bank in 1971. In a remarkably influential 15 years of leadership in the financial sector, Hafner provided guidance, counsel, and financial support for an array of local businesses, from large corporations to individual entrepreneurs. Honors that came his way included a Sagamore of the Wabash from the state of Indiana and Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe from the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce.

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Hafner

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Much of the preservation of Huntington County’s historic sites and the embrace of its rich heritage through festivals and educational programs can be traced directly to the life’s work of Jean Gernand. Reviving the Junior Historical Society in 1975 led directly to the popular Forks of the Wabash Pioneer Festival and the restoration of the Chief Richardville House. Her efforts have targeted numerous sites for preservation, and her research and expertise have carried the county’s heritage and culture into current day for education and celebration.

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Gernand

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Elizebeth Smith Friedman was a pioneer of cryptanalysis who made national strides in breaking codes and protecting American lives with her work. The youngest of nine children, she was born in Huntington with a “God-given talent” to figure out things. She attended Hillsdale College in Michigan and graduated with a degree in English Literature while also studying numerous languages. She loved Shakespeare and spent much of her early post college years trying to decipher the Bard’s work. In 1917, Elizebeth married William F. Friedman, and the two worked together for the War Department in Washington D.C. Mrs. Friedman worked during the Prohibition Era to stop rum-runners and drug smugglers by deciphering their encoded messages and testifying against them in court. During WWII, she worked for the Navy solving German Naval Intelligence using Enigma machine codes. Her work is still being used today to combat organized crime and terrorism.

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Friedman

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An all-around standout athlete at Huntington High School in the first decade of the 20th century, Mark “Mickey” Ererhart continued as a sports star at Indiana University where he lettered in three sports. As a three-year letterwinner and captain of the Hoosiers’ football team, Erehart put his name in the Big Ten record book with a 98-yard run from scrimmage in 1912, a record that remains today. Erehart went on to earn a medical degree, and as a doctor in Huntington, he served the community with his practice for 40 years

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Erehart

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In just seven years, Gary Dilley went from learning to swim in Huntington’s Lake Clare to standing on a podium in Tokyo in 1964, wearing an Olympic Silver Medal around his neck. After winning 10 national YMCA titles under legendary Huntington coach Glen Hummer, Dilley won the 200 backstroke at the 1964 U.S. Olympic Trials. At the 1964 Tokyo Games, the 19-year-old Dilley placed second in the 200 backstroke, edged at the finish by teammate Jed Graef. Dilley continued his swimming career at Michigan State University, where he was a 12-time All-American, amassed eight Big Ten Titles and two World University Games gold medals. Following his time in the pool, Dilley became a pediatric dentist, teaching and running a private practice in North Carolina.

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Dilley

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In 1907, two men from North Manchester decided to open a company in Huntington and make the city “Home of the Cedar Chest.” Winfred Runyan and J. Wallace Caswell knew of no other company at the time that commercially produced cedar chests. The Caswell-Runyan company started as a 15,000-square-foot factory at 1025 E. Franklin Street, with seven employees. Ten years later the factory was expanded to include a line of floor lamps and telephone stands. In 1925 they added again to their products, developing the first commercially produced radio cabinets, and later juke boxes. Runyan died in December 1942, and Caswell one month later in January of 1943. The company continued and created a metal division to aid the war effort. It grew to multiple buildings and thousands of employees. One of the most devastating fires in city history destroyed the factory in 1962. Caswell-Runyan cedar chests are still sought after for their quality and value.

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Caswell

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