Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 120, Number 1, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 1 January 1997 — Page 4

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Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, January 1,1996

Obituaries Lula M. Warren Sept. 25, 1910-Dec. 19, 1996 Lula M. Warren, 86, LuAnn Nursing Home, Nappanee, died Thursday, December 19, at LuAnn, after an illness of one year. Bom September 25, 1910, in Tippecanoe, she was thtf daughter of Jacob Franklin and Laura (Hartman) Rhodes, and a lifetime area resident. She married Russell Warren March 10, 1928, in Plymouth, and he died July 30, 1991. She was a housewife and member of First Church of God. Surviving are a son, Jim Warren, Granger; a daughter, Mrs. Elmer (Virginia) Krou, Nappanee; six grandchildren and six great-grand-children. She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Jane and Margaret Warren and a greatgrandson. The Rev. Robert Fields, assisted by the Rev. Bad Kendall, conducted services Monday, December 23, at First Church of God, with burial at Union Center Cemetery. Arrangements were with Thompson & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee. Memorials may be made to Gideons. $ Rev. Abe H. Peters Sept. 22, 1916-Dec. 22, 1996 The Rev. Abe H. Peters, 80, 517 E. Spring Street, LaGrange, died Sunday, December 22, at Millers Merry Manor, LaGrange, where he had resided since September 1995. Bom September 22, 1916, in Henderson, Nebraska, he was the son of Peter and Marie (Peters) Peters. He had resided in LaGrange since 1993, coming from Hudson Lake, where he had lived for 15 years. He married Mahha Schmidt in 1940, and she preceded him in death in July 1977. He married Emma Miller (Schmucker Madden), November 23, 1978, in LaGrange, and she survives. Also surviving are two daughters: Mrs. James (Lois) Loflin, Halstead, Kansas, and Mrs. Harold (Janice) Gingerich, Topeka; two sons: Edwin, Wichita, Kansas, and Galen, Howe; five step-sons: Lamar and Irvin Miller, both of Sturgis, Michigan; Vernon, Angola; Delbert, Shipshewana, and Clifford, Ligonier; eight grandchildren; 13 step-grandchil-dren; nine step-great-grandchil-dren; two sisters: Elsie Friday, Peabody, Kansas, and Vema Funk, Hillsboro, Kansas, and three brothers: Gerhard, Heston, Kansas; Harvey, Hillsboro, and Ralph, Goessel, Kansas. A sister, Edna Marek, died in 1980. The Rev. Berry Schmell, of Pleasant Oaks Mennonite Church, where he was a member, conducted services Thursday, December 26, at Pleasant Oaks, with burial at Shore Cemetery, Shipshewana. Arrangements were with Miller Funeral Home, Middlebury. The Rev. Peters was ordained in 1946 as a Mennonite minister, and had preached at several different churches. He was a full-time prison minister from 1979-1985, as Indiana State Prison Chaplin. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Oaks Mennonite Church, or to Colson Prison Ministries. Harvey DeFrees, Sr. Apr. 12, 1910-Dec. 26, 1996 Harvey DeFrees, Sr., 86, LuAnn Nursing Home, Nappanee, died Thursday, December 26, at the nursing home, ♦here he had resided for two years. He had been ill for the past 18 months. Bom April 12, 1910, in Milford, he was the son of Stoffel and Frances (Stump) DeFrees, and a lifetime Nappanee area resident. He married Laura Catherine “Babe” Stump, June 6, 1931, and she survives. Mr. DeFrees had worked at Coppes Kitchens, Heckaman Homes and Vitreous Steel. He was a member of First Brethren Church, Naopanee, Surviving with Mrs. DeFrees are a son, Harvey DeFrees, Jr., Syracuse; a daughter, Carol Burris, Olney, Texas; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Andrew and Carl, and four sisters: Hazel Stump, Ruth Stouder, Pearl Fox and Edith Roosc The Rev. Ken Hunn conducted services Tuesday morning, December 31, at Thompson & Yoder Funeral Home, with burial at Milford Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Nappanee First Brethren Church.

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JUNE—NorthWood High School seniors gathered at the west end of Stauffer Park in early June to plant a tree in memory of three classmates, Jason McCuen, Jesse Sheets and Christine Vanover, who died during the 1995-96 school year. (Ron Keiser photo)

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Furniture building, the annual NWHS Soundsations concert featured Winter Guard, DG, Jazz Band and soloists, and the JV baseball team shut out LaSalle, 100, with Andy Yoder pitching. Arbor Day was observed with tree plantings, Jennifer Anghn was named by the park department as Camp Explore Director, and local pastor, Mike Fowler, bowled a 300 game. MAY May is traditionally a busy month, and this was no exception, as Nappanee Civic Theatre presented a melodrama, combined with a spaghetti dinner, Woodvicw Elementary staff members presented a play of fractured fairy tales for students, and the city kicked off master plan discussions. State business awards were presented to Coppes, Inc.- and the Nappanee Advance-News, for over 10(3 years in business, and to Christian Light, over 50, by the Indiana Department of Commerce. Mary Eby and Jessica Gunn were named delegates to the annual Girls State, math league winners were named, the Lulu Zcntz family gathered for a five generation photo, Legion Poppy Days were held, and Megan Newcomer earned a state plaque for basketball shootout accomplishments. Kellie Mellinger announced plans to attend Bethel College on a softball scholarship, IHSAA continued discussion of classes for high school sports, the Habitat Hike netted $5,500 in pledges, and Eby Auto Sales earned a customer excellence award. The Rotary Club continued its tradition of naming top students of the month from NWHS, selecting Tami Persing and Shelly Eby, while Debra McNally was recognized for her work with the WaNee Drug Awareness Committee, and Denise Cunningham earned a tennis trophy at the DeKalb Invitational. Coach Lou Holtz of Notre Dame greeted members of the local Boy Scout Troop, Psi lota Xi donated a painting to Woodview, as well as a check for computer equipment, 50-year American Legion members were honored, Dennis Lewis announced his resignation as NWHS wrestling coach, and Matt Schwartz earned a school board seat in the primary, edging out incumbent Dr. Robert Abel. Brenda Metz earned a state gymnastics honor, A.J. Whitehead was selected for the junior All-Star basketball team, Ace Hardware celebrated its 10th anniversary, and yet another local high school student, Chris Berkey, 17, was fatally injured in a one-car crash. The Nappanee Chamber of Commerce selected Dave Widmoyer as Citizen of the Year, with Donna Persing earning the Harold Hoffer Memorial Award, Carol Wyman the Jim Andrews Educator of the Year honors, and Newmar selected as Business of the Year. Awards were made at the annual chamber dinner. The Advance-News kicked off a new Reader’s Comer column, with Dorothy the first reader featured. Heavy rains flooded the local golf course, basements throughout the community, and Mikel’s Mobile Home Park. The North Main Nursery School celebrated its 15th graduation, 280

persons attended the United Methodist Mother-Daughter banquet featuring weddings, and NWHS named 10 athletes to NLC boys’ and girls’ track teams. Sou Bounmythavong was named NWHS valedictorian, and Christianne Beron, salutatorian, for the Class of ‘96, while Nick Collins and Val Weldy served as commencement speakers. Phil Lehman, Roger Troyer, Eldon Yoder, Dr. Robert Abel and Suzanna Lloyd were honored on their respective retirements from various aspects of the Wa-Nee educational program. Cory Mote was selected for the People to People Student Ambassador program, Eloise Ogle was honored at an open house celebrating her 90th birthday, and Matt Pctdrson was selected AllNLC for golf. JUNE “Oklahoma” opened for a successful run at the Round Barn Theatre in June, while the city council continued work on the salary ordinance, Pastor Steve Clindaniel was named head of the local ministerial association, and senior class members planted a tree in the park, in memory of three classmates. A total of 12 track athletes competed at state boys’ and girls’ meets, NWHS baseball lost to Jimtown in sectional tournament finals, Gary Schmucker was named to accompany Team Indiana to Hawaii for wrestling competition, and Reflections of the Heart opened at 251 E. Market St., offering a variety of gifts in the Victorian style. After 46 years of service to the community, the Nappanee Lions Club was disbanded, due to lack of membership and interest. Elementary, eighth grade and senior students held separate honors sessions, the Nappanee Raceway announced its summer season, and heavy rains caused flood damage at North Wood Middle School and throughout the NappaneeAVakarusa communities. Nappanee Public Library announced plans for a summer Club READ, the pool opener, Ron and Connie Fields were injured in a motorcycle accident in Ohio, the annual kids’ bike rodeo was held, and Congressman Tim Roemer was in Nappanee to discuss the possibility of a weather radar station location in the area. The Park and Recreation Department announced that carp would be added to the golf course ponds, to reduce the algae; Hank Richards announced the publication of a book of his poetry, new officers were installed for American Legion, SAL and the Auxiliary, and summer recreational programs kicked off. Mosquitoes were already terrible in June, with city officials working to implement a successful control program. Local police initiated anew Neighborhood Watch Program, the school board paid special tribute to former member Dr. Robert Abel, who had served since 1962, and McDonald’s sponsored one of its popular cruise-ins. Closing out the month were the annual Radio Club 24-hour Field Day, the Early Bird charity golf event at Maxwelton, to benefit Riley Hospital, and announcement that Randy Hock, former Nappaneean, was performing in a

The Last Word... Reducing them to the sandbox

By Laurie Lechlitner I have a game I pffiy with most of the people who intimidate me. I reduce them to the sandbox. When I understand them, they are less intimidating. You may thing that is a strange sounding venture, but this is how it works: The woman who works at the bank downtown makes me nervous. “You didn’t fill out your deposit slip correctly, honey,” she tells me in a condescending voice. I look at the slip and shake my head. “Your figures are not in straight columns, and you didn’t sign your name below the date.” This woman is a hopeless neurotic, I think to myself. Yet, when I put her in the sandbox, the environment she would have occupied' when she was five or six years of age, I realize that she has had to be super-responsible since childhood. She is the type who believes details are of utmost importance, a life-and-death matter. She is the child who always plays like she’s the mother. Chances are, she had to take care of responsibilities and details at home that a mother or father was unwilling or unable to tend to. Let’s try another example. This individual I call Obnoxious Otis. V Continued from page three play in Pennsylvania—his acting career “underway.” JULY Matt Tice and Joe Kimple completed their police academy training in July, and Brooke German retired after serving four years as a local EMT, joining the police department full time. Gretchen Hess finished as third runner-up in the Miss Indiana/Miss America Pageant, Mike Strang and Travis Heston scored holesfin-one on the Nappanee golf course, just two days apart, McCormick Motors donated quality trees for planting on the course, Nappanee Civic Theatre’s young people offered “Pinocchio” and the Round Bam Theatre opened “Fiddler on the Roof,” with Nappaneean Jessica Hickman among the cast members. Tom Bradway was named to serve another year as school board president, while Rick Persing serves as secretary, and Malt Schwartz was sworn into service, Jeff and Angie Stillson announced plans to expand services offered by Stillson Studio in advertising and business design. The annual sidewalk days sale was held, Judy O’Bannon spoke at the dedication of the Family Christian Development Center, Dana Fisher was among the National Guard members pressed into duty at the Atlanta Olympics, and Anna Counts celebrated her 102nd birthday, at LuAnn Nursing Home. Local 4-H fair exhibitors brought back all sorts of ribbons and awards, Jeff Gordon’s Monte Carlo NASCAR entry was on exhibit at McCormick Motors, the old Central school building became home to LCM van conversions, following extensive remodeling and sprucihg up. pyramid Productions brought its annual summer cast to North Wood High School for one performance, Grand Army Highway brought its music to PJ’s Sports Bar, Amish Acres brought the popular arts and crafts festival back for patrons, and serviceman Joseph Stouder assisted with TWA Flight 800 crash cleanup operations in New York. Schools announced opening procedures, Julia Wamken earned a state swim trophy, the NWHS Class of 1971 celebrated its silver anniversary at South Shore in Syracuse, and Camp Explore kids enjoyed learning pioneer skills such as weaving, tin punch, can-dle-making and butter-churning. AUGUST Gardeners began actively harvesting the fruits of their labors, sharing produce abundance with those in need through the Family Christian Development Center. Richard and Rosie Cain showed off their giant tomato plants. The council approved the ‘97 city budget, Jennifer Stutzman became a hew stylist at Hair Dimensions, Dennis Lewis returned as NWHS wrestling coach, and Raymond Martin built a Scale model oil rig in his shop. It was announced that Amtrak would return its service to Nappanee, Nicole Nunemaker announced plans to share her therapeutic massage specialist skills at Hair Dimensions, junior golf winners Were announced at Please turn to page five

Otis is always one better than his companion or acquaintance. He is very competitive. He says hurtful things and seems to purposely would those who come across his path. He destroys those who love him most —bites the very hand that feeds him. He sounds like a horrible individual, until you puhhim in, the sandbox. You see, Otis was dumped into the sandbox by a world that didn’t care whether he lived or died. He hjd to make his way with children he really didn’t fit with, and then watch them go home to doting parents while he stood out in the rain. Otis believes it’s a dog-eat-dog world, and the only way you get anywhere is to watch out for number one. When he was a child, if he did not watch out for himself, nobody would. He pushes others away so he can grab for all the gusto he can get. Love? He’s never seen it modeled in a healthy way. To him, love and control are always synonymous. He learned from the sandbox that whey you feel small, you reduce others to your own size, and that includes all authority figures. *-~*V How about Fat Freddy? Everyone loves him in the sandbox now, but that was not always the case. You see, when Freddy was a toddler, the kids threw him out of the sandbox. “Freddy’s a fatso. Freddy’s a fatso,” they called. Freddy took his blanky and hightailed it home for a chocolate chip cookie and fudge brownie. But he learned how to fit in. Freddy made food part of his identity. He got attention for being fat and jolly—even made jokes about it. The kids laughed. Freddy fit in. Let us not forget Bubble-headed Betty. She wasn’t very smart. The kids made fun of her because she lacked common sense. However, one day, she saw her reflection in the shovel she was digging with. What a knockout! She learned how to use her looks to her own advantage. She’d get back at those male chauvinist for thinking she wasn’t very smart. She’d dangle their hearts like carrots on a string. I hear Betty’s on marriage number five today. I think you’re starting to get the picture. So many of us are acting out the skills we learned in the formative years of our lives right in our back yard or in kindergarten class. Is your boss an authoritarian? Reduce him in your mind to the sandbox. Perhaps he had an irresponsible little brother who tagged along with him. He may have felt pretty inadequate making grownup decisions for both of them. Yet he found that when he was not in control, catastrophe often happened. He still seeks that control, and feels the same fear of catastrophe if he fails to exercise it properly. I believe trained psychologists call this “the adult child within,” or something like that. I always wondered why a counselor asked personal questions about a client’s past. Now I know. The counselor was reducing that person to the sandbox. However, we must make sure when we reduce a person to the sandbox that we do not foster their dependence on us. That’s what

V ICTORY=CENTE R Former Union Center School At the comer of CR 48 & CR 11 Mike Yutzy, Pastor 69954 CR 11 • Nappanee IN 46550 (219)773-2611 Service Times • Sun. 9:30 AM • Wed. 7:00 PM All Are Welcome

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happened to Sonya. Her shrink reduced her to the sandbox, and left her there, vulnerable and childlike. But he did make sure she was mature enough to pay him the SBO an hour counseling fee every week. Who were you in the sandbox? It’s ironic to realize. Often it’s only when we are willing to look at who we were in our formative years that we can break unhealthy cycles in our adult lrtfes. It’s something to think about. (Note —Laurie Lechlitner is a minister and writer who resides in Elkhart. Those wishing to make comments regarding her column may address them to the Nappanee Advance-News, P.O. Box 230, Nappanee, IN. 46550) Kids can dial to hear Bible stories Boys and girls are invited to dial a Bible story free, 831-2220, in a program sponsored by Child Evangelism Ministries of Elkhart and Lagrange Counties. The story changes on a regular basis. Times change for Sunday programs The Sunday schedule for the Nappanee Church of the Brethren, Mack Drive, will change January 1, with times to be in effect for the entire year. Sunday school classes for persons of all ages will begin at 9a.m., followed by the morning worship service at 10a.m. Nursery and crib room care are provided. The Bread and Cup Communion will be observed during the January 12 worship service, with interim pastor, John Tomlonson, bringing the message. An all-church potluck for the Tomlonsons will take place Sunday, January 19, with the installation service for the new pastor, Lisa Hufford taking place January 26, and led by District Pastor Herman Kauffman, who will also bring the message. You are welcome. f&Zzr New Facilities Two Worship Opportunities 8:15 & 10:45 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Nappanee Missionary Church Slate Road 19 at County Road 50 First Presbyterian Church Heritage at Main Street Nappanee (219) 773-3773 Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 a.m.