Text and Photos By
Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Carson Kintzel and Mike Cox, both members of the Winona Lake Fire Department, received the top awards from the Kosciusko County Fire Association Thursday evening, Sept. 19. The awards were presented at the annual fire association’s fish fry at the Home and Family Arts Building on the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

Cox received the Service Award and Kintzel received the Firemen of the Year Award. Additionally the Winona Lake Fire Department was presented the yearly Attendance Award for the most attendance at monthly fire association meetings.

Chris Fancil, county association vice president, explained the service award and firefighter of the year award is for service, basically to the county. “We’ve had a lot of great nominees for both of these. What sets people apart is the service they have provided for the whole county, not just necessarily their own department. So we look at those things as well as years served and other roles these people play.”

In announcing the firefighter of the year, Fancil read the nomination. “This person has been a member of the department for 13 years, holding offices of lieutenant, captain and most recently assistant chief. He shares his knowledge of the fire service with others and is more than willing to get his hands dirty to demonstrate or assist younger firemen …”

The nomination further stated he has assisted in fire I and II classes for members of the department and county. “He has a lead from the front mentality that is crucial to the fire service,” the nomination stated. Kintzel is currently the Kosciusko County Fire Association treasurer and “does this with the same energy that he put into our own Winona Lake Fire Department.”

Cox’s nomination came from the Winona Lake Volunteer Firefighters Inc. Fancil read parts of the nomination.

“Our candidate is a long-standing firefighter with our fire department, 58 outstanding years of service with our department to be exact. In his incredible career, he has worked very hard to achieve multiple certifications,” read Fancil. Those certifications included second and first class fireman, instructor I, II, III levels, master firefighter with multiple disciplines such as, but not inclusive, incident management, hazmat, blood borne pathogens, CPR/AED.

Cox was noted as having held every office on the department offered to him — treasurer, secretary, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and chief. “He shares his knowledge with our firefighters, training them when he can. He also works with our town, the community and the county.” The nomination further noted Cox has continued to serve the department by writing grants and those skills has produced several approvals for money to buy needed equipment. He currently serves as the department’s public information officer, as the voice of the department.

“Thank you all very much,” said Cox after receiving a standing ovation from all county firefighters present. “I appreciate it. I just want to say that there is nobody here that doesn’t deserve this kind of award, because you all give to your communities. The fact that you’re here tonight shows that you care.”

Auction And Membership Pins

The county association lost a long -time member, “Butch” Warren, Mentone Fire Department, earlier this year. Prior to his death, he made three challenge coin holders from walnut, cherry and oak. His wish was for those holders to be auctioned off at the annual fish fry. All proceeds were to go to the Burn Camp, which cost $1,100 per camper.

The auction started out slow, with the first holder going for $175. But then the auction became lively and a battle. The next holder was sold for $150, but the buyer gave it back. So did the next buyer. Each one bringing $150 to the coffers.

The final bidding was a battle between Plain Township Fire Department and Winona Lake Fire Department. Money was pulled from its membership present. Bids jumped by hundreds of dollars. In the end, Plain Township Fire Department had the winning bid of $600. Winona Lake was allowed to purchase the final holder for its bid of $571.

A total of $1,471 was raised for the burn camp. Kevin McSherry, county association president, noted Warren’s association with various departments, offices in the association, including serving as an association officer with members of the Winona Lake and Plain Township departments. “Our roots run deep in supporting the Mentone guy. We’re very proud of you,” stated McSherry.

Service pins were presented to firefighters having 10, 25 and 50 years of membership with the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association by John Grolich, district 5 chairman.

Receiving 10-year pins, by department, were:

Atwood — Troy Mow and Dylan Woodling.

Burket — Bryce Good, Kaden Good, Kyle Miller, Ryan Shoemaker

Mentone — Brandon Cody, Broderick Cooper, Timothy Croy, Anthony Hill, Justin Hill, Keaton Schopf, Dax Snyder and Charles Tucker.

Milford — Travis Beer, Richard Miotto, Grant Ruch, Chad Veach, Corey Veach and Dexter Wuthrich.

Plain Township — Kyle Anderson, Scott Anderson, Brad Kellar, Joel Shepherd, Anthony Shilling, Joel Shilling and Derek Tenney

Sidney — Scott Daeger and David Penn

Silver Lake — Addison Allen, Terry Baker, Cody Bixler, Austin Cook, Damon Prater and Michael Weller

Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory — Scott Gerke, Andrew Grimm, Tyler Schmucker and Jonna Stamm

Turkey Creek Fire Territory — Erik Cox, Curtis Longenbaugh, Constance McKee-Richcreek, Gregory Scott, Matthew Stanley and Daniel Stoffel

Receiving 25 year pins, by department, were:

Atwood — Scott Shepherd

Burket — Gregory Brazo, Gary McDaniel and Mark Norman

Mentone — Josh Shepherd

Milford — Dan Duncan and Scott Mast

Plain Township — Chad Harter

Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory — Christopher Francis, Trent Nabinger, Matthew Nei and Rickie See.

Turkey Creek Fire Territory — Floyd Murphy, Brian Richcreek and Nicholas Stickel.

Recognized and receiving pins for 50 years, by department were:

Atwood — Michael Harmon and Raymond Truex

Burket — Franklin Swick and John Tucker

Etna Green — Loren Melton

Milford — Max Duncan

Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory — Thomas Reiff

Winona Lake — Mike Cox

It was noted McHatton Sadler Funeral Home, WR Hall Insurance were responsible for picking up the tab for the fish fry, Titus Funeral Home for the ice cream and Culligan Water for the beverages.