Donald Kenipe, 75, Pierceton, is the new Washington Township trustee.

Kenipe will finish the remainder of Claud Stahl Jr.'s term, which expires Jan. 1. Kenipe also will be the Democrat on the general election ballot in November. Stahl, 74, died Tuesday.

Kenipe was chosen by the Democrats Thursday to serve as the trustee. There was one other candidate.

According to Kosciusko County Democrat Party chairman Steve Haines, Kenipe is a "nice guy" and "we looked for the right person who we thought people would feel comfortable with and we feel we chose the best candidate." He said Kenipe has a history in business and can deal well with people, which were also other factors why the Democrats chose him.

Kenipe, who is retired, said he worked for Petro Brothers for 21 years and Singer Sewing Machine Co. for 20 years.

Asked why he wanted to serve as trustee, Kenipe said, "I guess, to be quite frank with you, I wanted something to do and to give back to the community."

While he said he has no experience as a trustee, he has dealt with people his entire life. He said his goal for the next three months is to acquaint himself with the office and do what has to be done. For the future, if he wins the general election, he said he will "do the best job a person can do in that office."

Kenipe and his wife, Marilyn, have three children and one grandchild. He said what he wants the people in Washington Township to know is that he is "going to be able to serve the people."

Haines said they didn't like to have to choose a new candidate before Stahl's funeral services, but had to in order to get the new candidate on the absentee ballots which go out next week. Stahl's services were scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Pierceton United Methodist Church, with burial in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton. [[In-content Ad]]