Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 113, Number 9, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 1 March 1995 — Page 2

Page 2

Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, March 1, 1995

Building a better community.:.

, t By Metric Chapman Reporter ■ , Organist Evelyn Bechtel has contributing the gift of music to,the people of Nappanee for 70 years. Her dedication to the con

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Gift of music lasts a lifetime

gregation at the Presbyterian Church has yielded many years of entertaining music. This talented musician began her career at age five when her older brother did not want to con-

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tinue his piano lessons. Evelyn's mother sent her in place of young Harry Lamar Wehrly who would grow to be a well known trumpeter. He was even asked to perform at the Chicago World’s Fair. Later he settled into a job with Dowe Chemicals where he was on the ground floor of the invention of Saran Wrap. Evelyn played her first wedding at age nine and went on to accompany at least 200 more that are remembered by her friends. She continued her piano lessons, and at age 14 she accompanied a close friend, Esther Metzler, to Sunday services at the Nappanee Presbyterian Church. She began attending regularly and was asked to play before the congregation during a service when no musician could be found. Afterward. Bechtel continued to play for the congregation and was even asked to perform for the elite men’s devotional class held in the basement. It was then that she was asked to do organ pieces and she realized that the reed organs she played at the home of her grandparents were no match for the newer pipe organs. The young musician turned from her study of the piano to take organ lessons from Marion Brevier, at the Methodist Church. The instrument used was a Mohlar pipe organ. Evelyn had found her calling. She admits that it was time to move on from the piano lessons because she was tired of the classical music pieces required in the study. Bechtel said, “I wanted a piece of music that sang!” After graduating from Nappanee High School, 17-ycar-old Evelyn went to work at the Exchange Bank. Wakarusa, where she met her husband Robert NOW LEASING SELF STORAGE Fenced, lighted. You keep the keys. Lowest Prices Size sxlo, 10x10, 10x15, 10x20, 10x30 Also fenced in area for outside winter storeage for motor homes, cars, boats, trailers, etc. NAPPANEE SELF STORAGE Highway 6 West Nappanee, IN 46550 Office located in brick house next to Storage Sheds 773-5561

Bechtel. His parents owned the bank. Robert was both an artist and a musician. He played the piano, saxophone and trumpet. The couple married October 20, 1934, and had two daughters, Mrs. Stan (Peg) Scherer and Mrs. David (Jane) Mattingly. Her training on the pipe organ led Evelyn in many directions as different groups and individuals requested command performances. She admits to having limited her activities while she raised her children. Together she and her girls would sponsor puppet shows at local churches. Each year they would make a trip to Chicago to purchase new marionettes for the unique shows. When her youngest girl reached age 14, Evelyn began tp travel to neighboring communities with her organ. Robert would drive her to her appointments and then set on the outskirts of the activity to sketch and paint during Bechtel’s performances. Following his death in 1962, Evelyn branched out and began traveling more to occupy her time. She performed at the Jimtown High School commencement services, lawn parties throughout Elkhart, and was even featured in the front window of the “House Across The Street” after they installed an organ for that purpose. Through affiliations with the Indiana Farm Bureau and the 4-H Home Economics Extension groups, Evelyn was requested to play her organ at the state fair each year. She was even known to play during the horse races. While at an annual convention for her home economics group, Evelyn met A 1 Stuart, famous director of the Purdue University Glee Club. The two worked closely together for many years to come as they conspired on new pieces of music and how to blend them with older harmonies for a perfect concert. Her friendship with Stuart led to her travels with the Glee Club on two trips to Hawaii and one to Europe. As her fame spread throughout the state. Evelyn still found time to entertain the people back home. She accompanied the Nappanee Civic Theatre during performances of “The Sound of Music.” “A Man Called Peter,” “Plain and Fancy,” and “The King and I.” She also performed during the bicentennial celebration held in Nappanee, and was active in the efforts to build the first libraries in both Nappanee and Wakarusa. WCMR requested Evelyn’s tal-

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ORGANISTS HONORED—EveIyn Bechtel (right) was honored during a dinner, February 25, announcing her retirement as the organist at the Nappanee Presbyterian Church. Bechtel has been an accompanist there for 70 years. Pictured to the left of of Evelyn is Dorothy Zimmerman. The reception was held at the Nappanee Missionary Church so that alt members of the Presbyterian congregation could have the opportunity to attend. Evelyn's friends took turns recalling fond memories of her and her organ music. See related article for more details. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

ents for its radio program. Her taped performances were aired each Sunday and three times a day during the Christmas season. She was also a member of the American Camping Association where she served on boards and committees to select, leam and teach songs to campers. She was also a founding member of the Hoosier Recreational Workshop and dedicated 30 years to the group. Through the years Evelyn has always remained close to her childhood friends. She shared that of the original eight that were seen everywhere together, five are still living—Bechtel, Helen Snoke, Evelyn Culp. Dorothy Arch, Esther Metzler. All of them keep in close contact. Bechtel, Snoke and Metzler still attend the Presbyterian Church together. Now, after a lifetime of talented performances, Evelyn has retired from playing the organ every Sunday before the congregation. A retirement party was held for her, February 25, and friends gathered around to share fond memories”of Evelyn and her music. For those who have never heard her play there may still be hope. Evelyn came out of retirement once before at the request of her church family. The silver tray bestowed on her to recognize the sharing of her music was given

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back to the church at the time she received it. The piece now rests as a permanent addition to the silver service available in the facility’s kitchen. If you are waiting for her to play again, you may have to visit Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa, where she still volunteers to lead choruses with her organ music. Or perhaps she will treat her congregation on rare moments with musical specials. But for now, Bechtel is content to be retired and shares no plans to give up the much lighter schedule it brings. Thank you Evelyn for sharing your spirit through the cords of a most beautiful instrument. Courtnews... The following cases have been handled through the Nappanee City Court. David Widmoyer is the judge. Robb O. Burks, charged with having expired license plates, paid total fine and costs of $59,50. Chedric D. Wright, charged with disorderly conduct, paid total fine and costs of $213.50. Jay Andrew Denlinger, charged with speeding 47mph in a 35mph zone, paid total fine and costs of $66.50. David Casey Ickes, charged with speeding 47mph in a 35mph zone, paid total fine and costs of $66.50. Daric E. Gessinger, charged with driving while license is suspended, paid total fine and costs of $254.70. Melinda A. Hyde, charged with deception, paid total fine and costs of $213.50. James M. Graffa, charged with having no proof of financial responsibility, paid total fine and costs of $263.50. Thomas D. Rensberger, charged with having no proof of financial responsibility, paid total fine and costs of $213.50. Debra K. Schmucker, charged with having false and fictitious registration, paid total fine and costs of $59.50. Stephen Holmes, charged with having a dog running loose, paid total fine and costs of $75. Deborah A. Grillo, charged with speeding 58mph in a 40mph zone, paid total fine and costs of. $72.50. Rebekah J. Smith, charged with speeding 62mph in a 45mph zone, paid total fine and costs of $71.50. BIRTHS Frank and Donna Dean, son, February 23, Michiana Community Hospital.

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