Miller, Bibler Named Man And Woman Of The YearTwo people, known for their selfless and - more importantly - anonymous service won the Man and Woman of the Year at the 98th Annual Membership Dinner Meeting of the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce Thursday night.
Around 300 Chamber members and guests were on hand for the dinner at the 2517 Restaurant.
Mary Louise Miller was honored as the Woman of the Year while William B. Bibler was named Man of the Year.During his introduction of Miller, Times-Union General Manager Gary Gerard said she was somebody who never wanted recognition for her service.
"She is always willing to lend a helping hand, whether financially or with her special talents, asking only one thing in return: that she remain anonymous," said Gerard.
Miller has been involved with the Just Peachy cookbook committee, the Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation, the board of Women in Motorsports, Combined Community Services steering committee, Healthcare Foundation Festival of Trees Committee, Riley Hospital Foundation fundraising committee, MasterWorks fundraising committee and Tri Kappa.
"This is so surprising and overwhelming. All I can say is thank you very much," said Miller as she received her award.
Bibler was lauded for his work ethic along with his philanthropy.
Bibler, who got his first job when he was just 9 years old, has had a trust in his name since 1994 with money from his own pocket that has awarded more than $350,000 to organizations that serve Kosciusko County, including Baker Youth Club, Special Olympics, Town of Pierceton Senior Citizens Center, Intercomm Inc., Presby Preschool, United Way of Kosciusko County, Cardinal Center Foundation, Mentone Day of Caring, Boy Scouts Troop 315, Breast Cancer Walkathon, Union Township Volunteer Fire Department, American Red Cross for hurricane relief, Kailey Zehr Scholarship, Pierceton Food Pantry, Cub Scout Pack 3715, Warsaw Community High School's Non-traditional opportunities for women seminar, Kosciusko County law enforcement officers, and a playground in the Southtown addition of Winona Lake.
Bibler, like Miller, was taken aback by hearing his name called by Gerard.
"This is certainly a surprise and all I can say is thank you all very much," said Bibler.
Before the Man and Woman Of The Year were announced, several other awards were given out.
Elaine Call, Warsaw's clerk-Treasurer, received the Government Excellence Award from Jean Northenor for her service to the community.
"The service to the community has been a labor of love for me," said Call.
Da-Lite received the Special Recognition Award while Symmetry Medical received the Industry Award for meeting the health care needs of its employees while keeping the cost down.
Nelson Beverage won the Entrepreneur Award. Nelson has been in business since 1984 and was noted for its support for such program as 4-H, United Way, youth and high school sports.
Polk Equipment won the Business Award while Grace College and Theological Seminary won the Service Business Award.
Wildman Business Group won the Business Leadership Network Employer of The Year for their leadership in hiring people with disabilites.
Wildman currently employs nine special needs workers full-time with all of them receiving benefits.
Becky Plummer was honored as the Ambassador of the Year.
During her speech for Plummer, Pam Hester said that Plummer is "always willing to help and a pleasure to work with."
In one of the more emotional moments of the evening, former Warsaw Police Department Sgt. Terry Polston and Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jeff Shaw were posthumously honored with the Meritorious Service Award.
Polston, who was involved with the DARE program since 1992, lost his battle with cancer in 2008 while Shaw was killed in an auto accident in 2009.
Both men were recognized for not only their service but for their roles as leaders and family men.
Polston's wife Mary and Shaw's wife Anige accepted the awards on behalf of their husbands.
"Terry loved the community and he loved the children," said Mary.
"Jeff was so proud of the community he served," said Angie who thanked the community for their support in the days and months after her husband's death.
Before his wife was honored, Dr. Dane Miller gave a presentation about Remnant Trust.
The educational foundation will be moving to Winona Lake in the Billy Sunday Museum.
Citing the collection as "some New York City would love to have" Miller said the company deals with first edition works of liberty dating back to the middle ages.
