News & Notes

Food and Agriculture Law Conducts Survey on Farm and Ranch Estate Plans From Cari Rincker, Esq. - Rincker Law, PLLC

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – Cari Rincker, the Principal Attorney at Rincker Law, PLLC, is conducting a survey for farmers and ranchers on their estate, succession and business plans. She is collecting data for a video series on the topic and plans on providing the information to the industry.

“One of the biggest threats to multi-generational farm families is a lack of planning on how the operation will be passed down to future generations,” said Rincker, who has offices both in Illinois and New York. “This is more than just a Last Will and Testament. A proper succession plan should also incorporate a business plan and a road map on how managerial knowledge will be passed down to the heir.”

Rincker is conducting a survey using Survey Monkey that is 30 questions long and takes approximately five minutes to complete. The survey is located at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/farmestateplanning. The survey questions range from estate planning documents that are in place, type of business entity, prenuptial agreements, and life insurance. The survey even touches on family communication about the topic.

“So far, exactly 50% of the surveys taken stated that their family had not had the ability to discuss this topic openly and honestly,” notes Rincker, who grew up on a cattle farm near Shelbyville, Illinois. “This is a major problem in the agriculture industry. We have to figure out a way to make conversation starters more natural. This should be an ongoing conversation among the family members.”

The more information collected from farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners, the more accurate and useful the data will be to the industry. “I hope this information can better serve the agriculture community,” says Rincker.

Fore more information about the survey or her survey results, Rincker can be contacted at cari@rinckerlaw.com. =

Farewells

F O RT V I L L E – Jimmie Ray

Shoufler, age 81, of Fortville, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Suburban Hospice of Hancock Regional Hospital after a short battle with Leukemia. He was born in Worthington, IN on November 2, 1938 to Ernest and Alice (Bays) Shoufler. He graduated from Charlottesville High School in 1956 and received his Bachelors in Science from Indiana Central College, now University of Indianapolis in 1973. Jimmie married Barbara (Hudson) on January 5, 1958 in Charlottesville.

He worked for Eli Lilly for 39 years before retiring in 1993. He was a highly active volunteer with the Hancock County 4-H for 40 plus years and served as a 4-H leader, beef superintendent, president of the fair board and fair manager. At the Indiana State Fair, he helped with the beef shows for over 10 years. Jimmie was a member of the Hancock County Shorthorn Association, Indiana Shorthorn Association and American Shorthorn Association. While he was a member of the Indiana Shorthorn Association. He served as secretary/treasurer. He helped with three Shorthorn Junior Nationals that were hosted by Indiana. Jimmie was the scholarship chairman for the Hancock County Showdown for 16 years. Among his other activities were serving on the Hancock County Planning Commission and being a member of the Indianapolis Hiking Club, leading numerous hikes. He enjoyed playing on the REMC Slow Pitch Softball Team in his younger years and working in his greenhouse.

Jimmie is survived by his wife, Barbara Shoufler of Fortville; children, Debbie (Duane) Vansickle of Greenfield, Dennis (Kathy) Shoufler of Fortville, and Dan (Diane) Shoufler of Fortville; grandchildren, Justin Shoufler of Fortville, Kyle Shoufler of Modoc, Zach Shoufler of Fort Collins, CO, Jacob Shoufler of Fortville, and Maggie Shoufler of Fort- ville; brother, Ted (Rita) Shoufler of Bloomington; sister, Sharon Sexton of Columbus; brother and sister-in-laws, Phillip and Charlotte Slaughter of Greenfield and Don and Sylvia Hudson of Greenfield; and several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Alice Shoufler.

A scholarship fund is being estab- lished by his grandchildren in his honor. Contributions can be made to “The Jim and Barbara Shoufler Youth Scholarship Fund”, c/o Greenfield Banking Co., 1920 N. State Street, Greenfield, IN 46140. Envelopes will be available at the mortuary. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com. =

Kerry Ann Fa

lor, 63, of Ithaca, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at her home. She was born in Alma, on Jan. 28, 1957, the daughter of Richard & Glenda Braman.

She is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Dani Falor-Kearney (Jason), Kelsey Falor-Nelson, J.J. Falor (Megan)

Richard Allen “Dick” Braman,

age 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at his home in Ashley. Dick was born on August 22, 1933, in Crystal, Michigan, the son of Marvin and Edith (Clark) Braman. He graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1952. In his own words, on June 14, 1952, he celebrated the greatest accomplishment of his life when he married his bride Glenda Monk, “the most beautiful girl” he had ever seen. The were blessed with 68 years of marriage and four children.

In 1959 Dick and Glenda received their first Shorthorn cows as payment on a debt. They fell in love with the breed and decided to get a few for their children. Those few quickly became nearly 300 head. Dick and Glenda accomplished many “firsts” for the cattle industry. They were the first in the state of Michigan to performance test cattle and were the first to combine purebred milking Shorthorn and beef Shorthorn genetics. In 1968 the Braman family was presented with the Builder of the Breed award from the National Shorthorn As- sociation. In 1972 they purchased an outstanding bull in Thornwood Major. This bull helped put Just-A-Few Farms on the map and quickly established their herd as a national force. Shorthorn cattle bred by Just-A-Few Farms were sought after throughout the U.S. and Canada. Welcome!

Cooper Ryder McCall was born July 22 to proud parents David and Fran McCall and big brother Lane McCall of Shelbyville, Kentucky. Cooper weighed 8 and three grandchildren, Lexy & Lincoln Sigafoose, Eliza Falor; her mother and father; mother-in-law, Juanita Falor; brothers, Kipp Braman and David Johnston (Maria); brother-in-law, Raymond Bongard; sister-in-law, Carol Falor; brothers-in-law, Eric and Tim (Barb) Falor; and several loving nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by sister, Linda Braman Bongard; and father-inlaw, Carl Falor.

Dick served as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Shorthorn Association for several years and breeders throughout the country will tell you how he was the one that got them started in the cattle industry, sold them their first Shorthorn cow, or convinced them that the red, white and roan was the way to go.

At the same time Dick started working for the Zephyr Oil company of Muskegon. In 1966 Dick and Glenda bought into the business and the Braman Oil Company was established. Dick and Glenda grew their business while raising their family. At one time the business employed seven full time employees. In 1995 when Dick retired the company was sold.

Dick always believed that a person should give back to the community from which he made a living. Dick was a member of and served as Ad Council Chair for the Pompeii United Methodist Church for 41 years. Dick and Glenda delivered for Meals on Wheels for 22 years. He was the secretary/treasurer of the Michigan Shorthorn Breeders Asso- ciation for 35 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Gratiot Agri- cultural Society for 28 years and was a driving force in establishing the G.A.S. Scramble Committee. Dick Served on Michigan State University’s Michigan Livestock Industry Scholarship Foun- dation selection committee for 20 years and was named an MSU Block and Bridle Honoree in 1986. The National Shorthorn Show was dedicated in his honor in 1995, Dick and Glenda were presented with the Michigan Cattlefamily farm. She always looked forward to garage sales, talking to her family, and enjoyed reading most nights.

Those desiring to make memorial contributions can do so to the Pompeii Baby Pantry.

Family Memorial will be held at a later date.

Kerry will be greatly missed and never forgotten. =

men’s Association Purebred Breeders of the Year award in 2002, and they were named the Gratiot County Rural Urban Days Farm Family of the Year in 2008.

Dick was known to have a tough exterior. Even being described as “crusty” on at least one occasion. But during one particular interview he told the author that his grandchildren had given him the most joy in the last year. That the last time he cried was a month ago in church when the Pastor told about starting people in the world. And he was quick to point out how amazing his bride was. Saying Glenda was always the strong one in the family. When asked what was the greatest thing he ever did for another person he replied, “I never done anything great. I’m no hero. I’m no hero to anybody.” There are some that would respectfully disagree.

Dick is survived by his wife Glenda of Ashley, sister Suzy Pritchard of Titusville, Florida, son Kipp Braman of Ithaca, son David (Maria) Johnson of Panama City Beach, Florida, son-in-laws Jim Falor of Ithaca and Skip Bongard of Ashley.

Also surviving him are his grandchil- dren Boa Bongard of Ashley, Josh Bra- man of Lansing, Jennifer (Steven) Taylor of Ashley, Jacob (Lacie) Braman of Itha- ca, JJ (Megan) Falor of Sumner, Kelsey Nelson of Alma, Menda (Ryan) Ziem of Florida, Melissa (Brandon) Stewart of Hawaii, nine great grand children and many nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his par- ents, sisters Wanda Sherman and Eliza- beth Eichorn, daughters Linda Bongard and Kerry Falor, and daughter-in-law Patricia Braman. =

She loved to cook and take care of the pounds 6 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. He is the grandson of Maurice and Faye Korthaus, Smithfield, KY and Mike and Cheryl McCall of Crestwood, KY. =