Twenty-four St. Joseph County residents will carry the Indiana Bicentennial Torch when it makes its way through the county in the fall.
More than 4,000 Hoosiers were nominated by the public to carry the torch. Local county committees selected the torchbearers from those nominations based on each nominee’s public service record, profession, acts of heroism and volunteer service.
“The 2,000 plus Hoosiers selected as torchbearers embody the Indiana traditions of service, civic pride, community involvement and volunteerism,” Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a statement. “As we reflect on Indiana’s first 200 years, it is only fitting that we celebrate Hoosiers who serve as inspirations in their communities.”
The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay kicks off Sept. 9 in Corydon, the state’s first capital, and will travel 3,200 miles throughout all 92 Indiana counties until it reaches the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, Oct. 15. It will be in St. Joseph County on Oct. 8.
In addition to being carried by torchbearers, the torch will travel by other means of transportation fitting Indiana’s history: watercraft, race cars, antique automobiles, farm equipment and horse and wagon.
The torchbearers for St. Joseph County are:
- Rebecca Bonham
- Gregorio Chavez Jr.
- Luther Crocker
- Beverly Crone
- Douglas Dieterly
- Donna Pfeil
- Tommy Forte
- Dana Groves
- Joshua Harper
- Cecil Kelver
- Tracy Kijewski
- Jerry Knepp
- Paul Kollman
- Tuck Langland
- Judy Lee
- Mike Lehman
- Morgan Ludwig
- Stephen Luecke
- Robert Middlebrook
- Joyce Newton
- Anna Rohrer
- Harold C. Urey (posthumously awarded)
- Clarence White
- Jane Wright
