The Market - December 18, 2024 by The Papers Inc.

Newly elected officials attend training

Commissioner-Elect Mike VanDeMark, Treasurer-Elect Kelly Graham and Surveyor-Elect Gwen Rentz attended the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) Newly Elected Officials training last week in Plainfield, IN.

The three-day conference was held for Indiana’s newly elected county officials from 92 counties. Training included but was not limited to Open Door Law, Purchasing Contracts, Human Resource, Appropriations and Funds.

Representatives from the State Board of Accounts, Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, and the Office of Public Access Counselor’s Office held discussions.

Newly elected officials in attendance were provided with other networking opportunities during breakout sessions.

Also, in attendance was Mandy Thomason our current Starke County Recorder. She attended the NEO training as the President of the Indiana Recorder’s Association to teach the new Recorders and as an AIC board member to attend the December board meeting. She talked about budgeting, internal controls, notary requirements, title searchers, indexing, and many other important topics that Recorders may handle their office.

Kyla!

ELLEN A. DODGE

CULVER, IN - FORMERLY OF KNOX, IN - Ellen A. Dodge, 78, died Friday, December 6, 2024. She was born August 14, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, to Carl and Anna (Simetz) Reinhard. Ellen had a Biology Degree from Purdue University and a Masters of Library Science from IUPUI. She had worked as a lab tech in research and hospital laboratories before raising her children. She then worked 17 years at the Starke County Public Library as a Reference Librarian, Technology Librarian and later the Library Director, before retiring in 2011. She enjoyed volunteering, being active in church, reading, sewing, knitting, gardening, cooking technology, weather, coloring and biology. She loved her time living at the Maria Center in Donaldson, Indiana.

She is survived by three children: Briony (William) Yocum, Timothy (Jackie) Dodge and Matthew Dodge, three grandchildren and three sisters: Jan Ledford, Lois Travis and Fay Hett. A memorial service may be held at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to the Starke County Public Library System Endowment Fund.

Arrangements were made by M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox.

BARBARA JEAN PARCEL

STAR CITY, IN - Barbara Jean “Barb” Parcel, 90, died Monday, December 9, 2024 at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac, Indiana. She was born July 28, 1934, to the late Harold G. and Mary E. (Artrip) Watson. On December 12, 1954, in Logansport, Indiana, she married Darwin W. “Doc” Parcel. He died November 11, 2013. Barb was a graduate of Logansport High School. She was a former member of the Star City United Methodist Church and a former Den Mother for Cub Scouts. She had worked for Weight Watchers and was a babysitter as well as a bookkeeper. She loved being a wife, mother and grandmother. She was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed crocheting, collecting various knick knacks and loved to go over the top when decorating for the holidays.

She is survived by three sons: Mick (Kathy) Parcel and David (Weez) Parcel, both of Winamac and Doug (Michelle) Parcel of DeMotte, Indiana, seven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her step mother, Irene V. Watson.

Services were held Saturday, December 14, at Frain Mortuary with Aaron Parcel officiating. Burial was in the Star City West Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center.

Arrangements were made by Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.