Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Ken Locke and Louise Lowe, both of Warsaw, were named 2004 Man and Woman of the Year during the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce 93nd annual membership and dinner meeting Wednesday.
Locke, the Kosciusko County Salvation Army director of community ministries, was a lead organizer for the World War II recognition ceremony in May, where more than 300 local veterans of the Last Great War were honored. He and his beloved Boy Scouts marked the length of 75-year-old Lincoln Highway this summer and dedicated a monument to the route. He also raised funds for and commemorated a monument to the county's namesake, Revolutionary War patriot Thaddeus Kosciuszko.
A longtime member of Rotary Club, he helped raise a record-breaking $53,000 for the Salvation Army this year. He is in charge of the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program and helps raise funds for Gift of Warmth.
An Iowa native and U.S. Army veteran, Locke said he has dedicated his life to the memory of his best friend who died during the fall of Saigon 30 years ago.
"I've always felt I've had to live for two people," Locke said, when accepting his award. He called Warsaw the best kept secret in Indiana and added that he is the person he is today because of Jesus Christ.
Lowe founded Kosciusko County Right to Life in 1973. She remains a board member of that organization. She was unable to attend, and her son, Tom Lowe, and daughters, Mary Pat Wallen and Susan Scheuer, accepted the award in her honor.
"Mom would have been uncomfortable with the recognition," Tom Lowe said. He then described the three principals, gifts to the community, his parents lived by: anonymous donations to the community, love of strangers and the power of prayer.
Tom Lowe said his mother had 12 children "and that should have been enough for any woman," but the family table was always set to receive a host of others throughout the years. Louise Lowe always supported the Cardinal Center, Combined Community Services, Teen Mothers Succeeding, Meals on Wheels, Mary's House and Our Father's House and provided transportation to area hospitals for people who needed treatments.
The Man and Woman of the Year Award has been sponsored by the Times-Union and WRSW Radio since 1959. Pat Brown of WRSW presented the awards Wednesday.
During the evening, Chamber representatives recapped events of the last year, named a new board of directors and recognized community and business members.
Dimensions of Excellence Awards included the Entrepreneur Special Recognition Category Award, presented to Reub Williams and Sons Co., publishers of the Times-Union for 150 years. Accepting the award on behalf of the Williams family were General Manager Norman Hagg and Managing Editor Gary Gerard. The newspaper has been in the Williams family for five generations and is the oldest business in Kosciusko County. Jim Tinkey presented the award.
Rick Kerlin, his sister, Valerie, and father, Ted, accepted the Business Award for Kerlin Motors of Silver Lake. The Kerlins have owned the business for three generations. The 78-year-old company has earned more service awards than any other company in the United States. The award was presented by Mike Kubacki, president of Lake City Bank.
The Industry Award was given to Hand Industries. The company was established in 1956. John G. Hand. president, accepted the award from Patty Wheeler.
Warsaw Community Public Library director Ann Zydek received the Government Excellence Award from Jean Northenor.
The ATHENA Award was given to Warsaw Community High School vocational administrative assistant Diana Yarian by Barbara Dombkowski.
Kip Tom of Tom Farms Inc. was the recipient of the Entrepreneur Award, presented by Roger Moynahan. Tom Farms is the largest producer of Pioneer hybrid seed corn. The company has more than 12,000 acres under production in the United States and another 4,000 acres in Argentina.
Tom said his father and mother started farming and today his sister and two sons are involved in the company's agricultural pursuits.
Kurt Carlson received the Service Business Award for the Bowen Center. Established in 1961, the nonprofit organization has a presence in eight counties. Its 400 employees served more than 9,000 individuals last year. The award was presented by Doug Hanes.
Jim Mannan of Classique Blinds was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year by Susan Derr.
In Chamber business, Max Courtney was renamed the chairman of the 2005 Chamber board of directors. Lowell Owens is treasurer and Pamela Hester is chairman-elect.
Garth Conrad, Doug Hanes, Rick Van Puffelen and Ernie Wiggins were named to the board, and Kurt Carlson's, David Findlay's and Darryl Smith's memberships were renewed.
Retiring board members were: Bruce Green, Andy Lewis, Ray Monteith and John Warren.
Directors in 2004 were: Kurt Carlson, David Findlay, Jeff Garr, Andy Garrett, Bruce Green, Jane Greene, Kevin Harney, Dave Higgins, Andy Lewis, Ray Monteith, Roger Moynahan, Mike Mullins, Kevin Scott, Bruce Shaffner, Darryl Smith, Julia Van De Water, John Warren and Sterling Watkins.
