Al Rovenstine

WARSAW — Kind, soft-spoken and honest are just some of the words that locals close to Cassius Alan “Al” Rovenstine have used to describe the former longtime sheriff and fire chief.

An Atwood resident, Rovenstine passed away on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the age of 81. Rovenstine served as sheriff with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office from 1979 to 1986 and from 1991 to 1998.

“He mentored me and guided me,” said Kosciusko County Coroner Tony Ciriello. Ciriello worked as a KCSO officer when Rovenstine was sheriff. “I have hundreds of great memories with him.”

Ciriello recalled Rovenstine’s handling of Detective Sergeant Phil Hochstetler’s murder in 1994.

“When that happened, it was his calm demeanor that guided everyone in the department through such an awful tragedy,” said Ciriello. “He really cared about the community and would handle any situation presented to him with compassion. All of his advice was always so invaluable.”

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged Rovenstine’s passing through a Facebook post that said, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of four-term Sheriff Cassius Alan Rovenstine.” The KCSO Facebook page’s profile picture was also changed to Rovenstine when he served as sheriff.

Rovenstine also volunteered for the Atwood Fire Department and served as fire chief from 1964 to 1978.

“He was just a super nice guy to have around in Atwood,” said Mike Harmon, who served with Rovenstine on the Atwood Fire Department. “He was an all-around good person.”

Rovenstine also played several roles in the local Republican party, including treasurer of the Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee and precinct committeeman.

“He was kind, soft-spoken and honest as the day is long,” said Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Ragan. “He was truly a man of character and didn’t deal with things using bitterness and hate.”

Austin Rovenstine, a local attorney and Al’s grandson, described him in a Facebook post as “one of the greatest men I ever knew. I’ve heard so many stories about his many acts of kindness and his many acts of courage. The stories came from friends, former employees, and very often from random strangers on the street, who recognized me as a Rovenstine and wanted me to know how Grandpa affected their lives. His influence on my own life is incalculable.”

Rovenstine’s obituary describes him as a “quiet and humble man” who “will be remembered for his private acts of generosity and compassion toward those he encountered on his life’s journey.”

Rovenstine is survived by three children and seven grandchildren. His wife, Sandra, who served as matron of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office during Rovenstine’s tenure, passed away in July 2009.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Rovenstine’s funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the Atwood Community Center. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

Arrangements are being handled by McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.