City Recognizes Golden Hoosiers
October 6, 2020 at 4:27 a.m.
City Recognizes Golden Hoosiers
By David [email protected]
Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch virtually presented the awards on Sept. 23. Monday night, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and the City Council recognized the two Warsaw and one Winona Lake honorees.
The Golden Hoosier Award is the highest honor to be bestowed upon senior citizens by the state.
“There were 24 Golden Hoosier Award winners in the state and we had three of them right here in Kosciusko County. And I was just gratified. It didn’t surprise me, but I wanted them to come tonight and be honored,” Thallemer said.
The three local recipients are Tim Meyer and Linda Ozier, both of Warsaw, and Robert Wulliman, Winona Lake.
Nominated by Michelle Goble, information on Meyer states his financial expertise and business prowess enabled the Warsaw community to grow and prosper. In his 15-year service to the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, he served as treasurer on the board of directors, providing sound financial advice. As a lead mentor for Kosciusko chapter of SCORE, he works with business owners to provide them with business counseling at no charge. Meyer was instrumental in the development of the Ivy Tech Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. He has benefited other organizations, including Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, Kosciusko County YMCA, United Way of Kosciusko County, Warsaw Redevelopment Commission and Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation. He is also deeply involved in Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Meyer and his wife, Marsha, co-founded Heartline Pregnancy Center over 40 years ago.
Nominated by Alisha Oliver, Ozier’s information states she is the founder of Isaiah 11 Ministry, which takes a fresh approach to counseling by offering therapy sessions on a farm. Although Ozier is trained in equine-assisted psychotherapy, she also engages a variety of farm animals as co-therapists. This active Christian counseling center has benefited many, particularly with the Tuesday night barn group, where all ages gather for life skills training, prayer, animal care and sharing a meal together. She is an advocate for her clients and generously provides donated food and clothing and referrals to other community resources. Payment is not an issue with Ozier — no one is turned away, although some have offered to perform work on the farm in return for the counseling.
Finally, Deborah Wright nominated Robert Wulliman. His information states Wulliman has dedicated over 50 years as a volunteer firefighter for the Winona Lake Fire Department. At a time when he couldn’t be as active on the front lines, he managed the station during calls and assisted with the phones to coordinate relief for firefighters and victims. Even now at 83 years old, he still attends meetings and assists whenever possible. For over a decade, Wulliman has also continued to serve at his church’s “community closet” to distribute personal and household supplies to those in need. As a 27-year member of the Warsaw Community High School athletic booster club, he served a variety of roles and volunteered over a decade as a youth softball coach.
Given the opportunity to say something, Wulliman said, “I’m happy to get the award.”
Ozier said, “I’m greatly appreciative and I’m hoping that the ministry that I founded and run will get some more publicity through this, and there will be more people who will turn to us for counseling or animal rescue.”
Meyer said, “First of all, it’s a great honor to be recognized in this way. We obviously don’t volunteer our services for awards or recognition, but it’s nice to be complimented this way. I appreciate it very much. Thank you very much.
“I want to thank the Chamber for nominating me, unlike my golf buddies who thought I was the only one nominated. Quote me,” he joked. “It’s very nice and it’s very much appreciated.”
Thallemer thanked the recipients and their families for coming out.
“This was such an honor to have three of you from our county, representing our county and the great things we do up here,” he stated.
Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch virtually presented the awards on Sept. 23. Monday night, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and the City Council recognized the two Warsaw and one Winona Lake honorees.
The Golden Hoosier Award is the highest honor to be bestowed upon senior citizens by the state.
“There were 24 Golden Hoosier Award winners in the state and we had three of them right here in Kosciusko County. And I was just gratified. It didn’t surprise me, but I wanted them to come tonight and be honored,” Thallemer said.
The three local recipients are Tim Meyer and Linda Ozier, both of Warsaw, and Robert Wulliman, Winona Lake.
Nominated by Michelle Goble, information on Meyer states his financial expertise and business prowess enabled the Warsaw community to grow and prosper. In his 15-year service to the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, he served as treasurer on the board of directors, providing sound financial advice. As a lead mentor for Kosciusko chapter of SCORE, he works with business owners to provide them with business counseling at no charge. Meyer was instrumental in the development of the Ivy Tech Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. He has benefited other organizations, including Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, Kosciusko County YMCA, United Way of Kosciusko County, Warsaw Redevelopment Commission and Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation. He is also deeply involved in Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Meyer and his wife, Marsha, co-founded Heartline Pregnancy Center over 40 years ago.
Nominated by Alisha Oliver, Ozier’s information states she is the founder of Isaiah 11 Ministry, which takes a fresh approach to counseling by offering therapy sessions on a farm. Although Ozier is trained in equine-assisted psychotherapy, she also engages a variety of farm animals as co-therapists. This active Christian counseling center has benefited many, particularly with the Tuesday night barn group, where all ages gather for life skills training, prayer, animal care and sharing a meal together. She is an advocate for her clients and generously provides donated food and clothing and referrals to other community resources. Payment is not an issue with Ozier — no one is turned away, although some have offered to perform work on the farm in return for the counseling.
Finally, Deborah Wright nominated Robert Wulliman. His information states Wulliman has dedicated over 50 years as a volunteer firefighter for the Winona Lake Fire Department. At a time when he couldn’t be as active on the front lines, he managed the station during calls and assisted with the phones to coordinate relief for firefighters and victims. Even now at 83 years old, he still attends meetings and assists whenever possible. For over a decade, Wulliman has also continued to serve at his church’s “community closet” to distribute personal and household supplies to those in need. As a 27-year member of the Warsaw Community High School athletic booster club, he served a variety of roles and volunteered over a decade as a youth softball coach.
Given the opportunity to say something, Wulliman said, “I’m happy to get the award.”
Ozier said, “I’m greatly appreciative and I’m hoping that the ministry that I founded and run will get some more publicity through this, and there will be more people who will turn to us for counseling or animal rescue.”
Meyer said, “First of all, it’s a great honor to be recognized in this way. We obviously don’t volunteer our services for awards or recognition, but it’s nice to be complimented this way. I appreciate it very much. Thank you very much.
“I want to thank the Chamber for nominating me, unlike my golf buddies who thought I was the only one nominated. Quote me,” he joked. “It’s very nice and it’s very much appreciated.”
Thallemer thanked the recipients and their families for coming out.
“This was such an honor to have three of you from our county, representing our county and the great things we do up here,” he stated.
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