Henry F. Schricker Award Winner Dies

Posted on Author WKVI
Gene Blastic
Gene Blastic

02-11-13 – Henry F. Schricker Award Winner Dies

By Anita Goodan

 

The newly-named Henry F. Schricker Award winner has died.

 

Gene Blastic suffered through the effects of cancer treatment to attend the Schricker Award dinner on Jan. 17 to accept this prestigious honor. He passed away Friday night.

 

Blastic was honored for his “service before self” attitude and was active in many community programs including the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, Starke United, Starke County Chamber of Commerce, Starke County Right to Life, and countless others.

 

Blastic was president of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation Board for two years, having been a member for more than 10 years, and was nominated volunteer of the year for Starke United in 2003. Blastic was also recognized as the Older Hoosier of the Year in 2009 by the board of Community Services of Starke County in recognition of his lifetime of service to improve the quality of life in the community.

 

In recent years, he spearheaded talks about improving the status of downtown Knox.

 

Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 4 until 8 p.m. at M.C. Smith Funeral Home, with a wake service at 8 p.m.

A rosary service will be Thursday, Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, prior to a 10 a.m. funeral mass at at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

Burial will take place at the Rose Lawn Cemetery on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 12:30 p.m.

 

Dorene Matzat Honored at Henry F. Schricker Dinner

Posted on Author WKVI
Deb Mix, Dorene Matzat and Dorothy Osinski

Dorene Matzat was honored last night as this year’s Henry F. Schricker Award winner at the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce dinner at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association building.

After hearing accolades given by several friends and her daughter before the award ceremony itself, those assembled heard the story of a woman who always put “service before self.” Whether it was taking an ill and lonely veteran to the VA for treatment, making a delicious meal for community events, singing in the Community Choir, or making a scared little girl feel comfortable on the first day of classes at the Lutheran School, Dorene was always there.

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Henry F. Schricker Award Dinner this Thursday

Posted on Author WKVI
Dorene Matzat

The Henry F. Schricker Award dinner is this Thursday at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association building. The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is still accepting reservations for the dinner today. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. with the dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m.

This year’s award winner is Dorene Matzat. She has been a model of Henry F. Schricker’s motto of “service before self”. For the past 65 years, she has driven veterans to medical appointments to veterans hospitals, she has mowed lawns for the elderly in the North Judson area as well as her church and she is active in her church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She won the Aid Association for Lutherans Branch Award, the American Legion Auxiliary Member of the Year Award winner and she was also the recipient of the Patty Hunt Memorial Award.

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Henry F. Schricker Award Winner Selected

Posted on Author WKVI
Henry Schricker

The Henry F. Schricker Award winner has been selected. Debbie Mix, the Executive Director of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce, said the name will not be released at this time, but the choice was difficult this year.

“It was a very difficult choice this year because anyone to has ever been nominated is still a nominee and we had several more this year and it was a difficult choice. I’m very excited for who is going to get this award,” said Mix.

The award dinner will be held January 19th at Bass Lake.

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Henry F. Schricker Award Nominations Accepted until December 15th

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the Henry F. Schricker Award.

You may nominate individuals who have displayed Henry Schricker’s attitude of “service before self”. Submit a resume of the applicant, along with a cover letter, that outlines the qualities and deeds of the candidate which includes significant voluntary contributions and benefits to Starke County.

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Marvin McLaughlin Honored as 2010 Henry F. Schricker Award Winner

Posted on Author WKVI
Marvin's family Front row: Nancy Leonard, Chuck Leonard, Lynette Altman, Barbara McLaughlin (wife), Marvin McLaughlin, Sarah Altman, Evan Altman. Back row: David Altman, Barbara McLaughlin, Alan McLaughlin

The Honorable Judge Marvin McLaughlin was celebrated last night as the 2010 Henry F. Schricker Service Award winner. With family, friends and dignitaries in attendance, the Judge was praised for living a life of “service before self” which was the motto of the former Governor.

In his acceptance speech, the Judge talked about setting aside politics and working for the good of your community, county, and country.

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