The Independent-News, Volume 105, Number 13, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 6 September 1979 — Page 2

SEPTEMBER 6, 1979 — THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS

EDITORIALS \ ‘ 'J”' - ..

FEW SEEM TO CARE A lack of interest in some key issues concerning everyone is given areas was again pointed out in the past couple of weeks. Two things that have effect on taxpayers directly have basically come and gone without much ado. Hearings for the various governmental agencies for IQKO budgets and tax levies had their usual attendance in most cases . . . none. Add to this the announcing of the various party caucuses to select the candidates for town boards and clerk-treasurers, also attracted very few people, so few in some cases that business simply could not be conducted. Several positions on the ballots had to be filled in following the caucuses because interest was so small and potential candidates just were not to be found without some intensive searching. In fact an article in a metropolitan newpaper in the area stated that at one partycaucus they had to go next door to a little league park to get some of the parents watching to have enough for a quorum. Many people have little or no interest in the operation of towns, cities, townships, counties, schools, etc., until they become aware that seme particular item is of great interest that may have a direct effect on them either through a tax increase or the direct effect on a member or members of their family. Then they become excited, but at the annual hearings on taxes, or such as the party caucuses where they could be a helper at least an interested party in the planning, they could care less. This is possibly more the w ay of life in recent years, people seem to care less about things other than their direct associations. The tax hearings on a local basis are over. The state hearings are yet to be held at which time often small changes in the budgets are made. Also over is the caucuses for the coming tow n elections and even though their were vacancies at that time, they will be filled with appointed candidates to face each other in the November elections. What it all boils down to with the lack of public interest is simply that once again a few people are doing the work that concerns an awful lot of people. Only when the dissatisfaction comes do the bulk of the people then express their views, often simply a matter after the fact as they failed to be interested until it realh strikes home.

UNITED IN MARRIAGE mF jV. |K I fl ■L -* r >fl Iflb ^M/ ,-M f r W B '-’ I * M R I i fl

Mary Elizabeth Egger became the bride of David Scott Matthew on Saturday, August 25, during a seven o'clock candlelight ceremony at the First Baptist Church. Walkerton. with Rev. Edwin Shelly officiating. A reception followed in the Church Social Room. Mrs. Dale Schlarb was the organist and Gwen Smith, soloist. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Judith Egger. Koontz Lake and the late Robert W. Egger. Ihe groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lavern Matthew, Grovertown. The bride was given in marriage by her brother, Robert Timothy Egger. Maid of honor was Larna Joseph, of Syracuse and bridesmaids were Lori Hummer, of North Liberty and Gwen Smith, of Syracuse. Melissa and Eric Barden were the flower girl and ring bearer. cousins of the bride Mark Matthew, brother of the groom, of Grovertown. served as best man Ushers were Rod Barbknecht, of Mishawaka and Kevin Anderson, of Koontz Lake. The couple will reside at 815 West Douglas Road. Mishawaka, upon return from their honeymoon to Cedar Point, Ohio. Manx bargains in the classifieds.

THANKS I would like to thank everyone for the prayers, cards and visits while 1 was in the hospital. Also thanks to the North Liberty E.M.T.'s. Tom W. Carr We would like to thank everyone that testified in behalf of our son and thank those that sent letters in his behalf. To those that were asked and refused, may God help you for you may need it someday. Bob and Zella Schafer We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our neighbors, relatives and friends for the sympathy. prayers, flowers and food shown to us on our recent loss. Also a thank you to the North Liberty E.M.T.'s and Rev. Gaylord Salt/gaber. Mr. Joni W. Carr Mr and Mrs. Jack ( arr and familv Mr and Mrs. Charles Baker and family Mr. and Mrs. Patrick ( arr and familv Mr and Mrs. Bill ( arr and family Mr. Michael ( arr

J Obituaries EVERETT W. SHINN Everett W. Shinn. 64. of Koontz Lake, died at 11:00 a.m. on Mondav . September 3, in Parkview Hospital. Plymouth. He had been ill the past four years. He was born on December 14. 1914. in Elkhart. He lived at Koontz Lake for 20 years coming from North Liberty. He retired from Bendix Corp.. South Bend, in 1975. He married Verva B. McDaniel on December 19. 1940. at Fort Knox. Kentucky, who survives. He was an instructor in the Armed Forces School at Fort Knox, Kentucky from 1940-45. He was a member of the Walkerton Masonic Lodge 619; Scottish Rite. South Bend; North Liberty American Legion 365; and the Koontz Lake Com pany. Koontz Lake. He is survived by his wife; a daughter. Mrs. Nelson (Vericc) Walz, of Walkerton; two brothers. Donald, of Dayton. Ohio, and Melvin, of Hanna; and a sister. Mrs. Carl (Margaret) Davis, of St. James City, Florida. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on 1 hursday at the Rannells Funeral Home. Koontz Lake Chapel, with Rev. Robert C. Bowman, officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Walkerton. Viewing will be after 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Graveside services will be conducted by the Walkerton Masonic Lodge. COURT L. WEBB Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. August 31. at the Van Gilder Funeral Home. Plvmouth. with Rev. Robert Ahrendt, pastor of the First United Church of Christ, Plymouth, officiating, for Court L. Webb. 82. Mesa. Arizona, w ho was found dead at his home on August 23. Burial was at the Tyner Cemetery. He formerly was a barber in the Walkerton and Marshall County area. He was a World War I veteran and a 32nd degree Mason. He was born on February 1, 189’, at Plvmouth. to Orville and Nancy Webb. EMILY A. SWANSON Mrs. Emily Agatha Swanson, 60. Route 7. Plymouth, died at her home at 10:50 p.m. on Mondav. August 27. after an illness of oneyear. She was born on April 26. 1919 at LaSalle. Illinois, to Stephen and Angelena Waclaw. On August 24, 1940. she married Roy Edwain Swanson, who survives. Surviving along wjth her husband are two daughters. Lynette L. Swanson. Route 7. Plvmouth. and Mrs. Mark (Felicia) Batman, of Kokomo; and a son. Roger W. Swanson. Plvmouth; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister. Services were at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. August 30. at the Sunrise Chapel, Plymouth, with Rev. Hugh Campbell, pastor, officiating. Burial was in New Oak Hill Cemetery. Plvmouth. JESSE HOWARD MOON Jesse Howard Moon, 86, of 24600 State Road 4. North Liberty, passed away on Friday, August 31, at the Plymouth Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home after a lengthy illness. He was born on November 20. 1892. in Lakeville, and lived in the area all his life. On April 19, 1919. he married Iva M. Bates, in North Liberty, who survives. He was a school teacher for 50 years in Liberty and Penn Townships. He was a veteran of World War I. serving in the Army. Surviving along with his wife are four daughters. Mrs Opal Sum mers, North Liberty. Mrs. Maxine Bjoraas. South Bend. Mrs. Marcella Morris, Indianapolis, and Mrs. Myrna Wells, Hershey. Penn-

THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS Publication Number 261460 Robert E. Urbin, Editor Susan R. Urbin, Assistant Editor INDEPENDENT NEWS CO., INC., Publisher 601-03 Roosevelt Road. Walkerton. Indiana 46574 Telephone (219) 586 3139 PUBLICATION TIME: Thursday of Each Week Second Gass Postage Paid At Walkerton, Indiana 46574 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 15c Per Copy; 54 00 Per Year (50c Extra If Mailer! Out Os State)

sylvania; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister. Mrs. Helen Strope. North Vernon. Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday. September 4. at the North Liberty Church of the Brethren, of which he was a member. with Rev. William Burgess, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Eastlawn Cemetery. MRS. HARRIET B. JACKSON Mrs. Harriet B. Jackson. 82, formerly of Mishawaka, died at 5:48 p.m. on Mondav. August 27, at the Ridgedale Nursing Home after an extended illness. She was born on September 30. 1896, in Plvmouth and lived in the South Bend area for 69 years coming from Plvmouth. She married Robert M. Jackson. Sr., on November I. 1916. who preceded her in death on January I’. 1976. She retired as personnel director of the S. S. Kresge store in 1969. Surviving arc two daughters. Mrs. George Ek. of Niles, and Mrs. Ester Hough, of Mishawaka: three sons. Robert M.. Jr., and Neal, both of North libertv. and Joseph H.. of Mishawaka: nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchild-ren. Services were at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. August 30, at the chapel at Riverview Mausoleum with Rev. LaVerne R Ervin, pastor of the First Christian Church. Mishawaka, officiating. Burial was in Riverview Cemetery. MRS. MABEL V. BURNETT Mrs. Mabel V. Burnett. 77. of 610 West Pine Street. North Libertv . died Monday. September 3. at 2:00 p.m. at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Melvena Whitaker, in South Bend, after an extended illness. She was born on January 3. 1902. in Avoca. Indiana, and had lived in this area most of her life. She married Raymond Burnett, who preceded her in death in 1972. Surviving along with her daughter Mrs. Whitaker, are three more children. Mrs. Helen Hensley, of North Liberty; Ray mond Burnett and William Burnett, both of South Bend; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two brothers. Leslie Robinson, of Bed ford, Indiana, and Gordon Robinson. of Forest Park. Georgia. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday. September 6. in the North Liberty Church of Christ, of which she was a member, with Rev. Charles Richmond, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Westlawn Cemetery. North Liberty. Friends may call from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at the A. M. Manuel Funeral Home. North Liberty. Mrs. Burnett was also a member of the Jolly Eight Bunco Club of North Liberty. Memorial contributions may be made to the North Liberty Church of Christ. JOHN LEWIS KEPCHA John Lewis Kepcha. 84. 121 South Porter. Michigan City, formerly of Walkerton, died at 8:26 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4. at St. Anthony s Hospital, Michigan City after an extended illness. He was a retired farmer He was born on October 4, 1894, in Pekin, Illinois. He moved to Michigan City in May of this year from Route 3, Walker-

ton. He married Jane Trueax on October 29. 1919, in Knox, who survives. He is survived by four daughters. Mrs. John (Barbara) Kelley, of LaPorte. Mrs. Robert (Mildred) Oberlin, of LaCrosse; Mrs. Doris Voss, of Michigan Citv. and Mrs. Clem (Kathryn) Wozniak, of Michigan City; two sons. John Lee Kepcha. of Plymouth, and Darwin Kepcha. of LaPorte; 24 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two sisters. Mrs. Rebecca Lundquist. of Walkerton, and Mrs. Frank (Clara) Goss, of LaPorte. He was preceded in death by two sons and a daughter. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the Nusbaum-Elkin Funeral Home, with Rev. Robert Gearheart, pastor of the Walkerton United Methodist ( hurch. officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Walkerton. Friends may call from 2:00 to 4:00 and ’:(X) to 9:00 p.m. on Ihursdav at the funeral home. He was a veteran of World War I, a Johnson township Sportsman Club member and a member of the American legion Post 189, Walkerton. PLJ Enrollment Is Down 1.8% I he Polk-Lincoln-Johnson School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, September 4. Superintendent Harold R. Muncie reported a decrease in enrollment of 23 students or 1.8 per cent from the same period last year. Enrollment by grades as of August 30 was: kindergarten 90; first 84; second 86; third 76; fourth 66; fifth 104; sixth 90; seventh 8’; eighth 108; ninth 115; tenth 99; eleventh 101; twelfth 98; and special education 40. Total schixil enrollment is 1.244. I he board hired Ann ( amblin as fifth grade teacher. She is a grad uate of Indiana University, received her Masters Degree from Pur due University and has taught three years in the Mishawaka sch<x>l svstem. Ihe board also made the following coaching assignments. Gerry Brown, freshman boys basketball; lorn Hall, eighth grade boys basketball; Donald Byrd, seventh grade bovs basketball. and Marlene Edison, eighth grade girls basketball. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the administration building.

CHURCH NEWS

First Presbyterian Church 512 Georgia Street David K. Barnett. Pastor FRIDAY. SATURDAY. SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 7-8-9 "Christian Togetherness Weekend'' at Potato Creek State Park. SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 9 9:30 a.m.. Church Service. 10:30 a.m.. Sunday School. MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 10 7:30 p.m., Christian Education committee meeting at Church. TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 11 1 1:00 a.m., Presbyterian women visit Walkerton's Miller's Merry Manor. Happy Ads Only SI.OO