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MICHIANA NEWS

Hoosier-Buell Chapter

Michigan/Indiana

June 2023

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Hoosier-Buell Chapter members are warmly welcomed to attend this joint chapter gathering with our Chambers Chapter neighbors. We meet on Tuesday Sept. 5 at the Genoa Rayz Café at noon near the beautiful Maumee Bay State Park Lodge at the base of Lake Erie. 

Following lunch we will be free to explore the outstanding variety of activities and sights at the State Park (Nature Preserve/Boardwalk and golf--- email

Dan Sager if you plan to play). The next day we will tour the National Museum of the Great Lakes and the USS James Shoemaker, Laker Museum Ship & Tug Ohio. Tour Fort Meigs in Toledo on Thursday morning. 

Please register with John Mack by August 15.  See registration form for payment to the Chambers Chapter. Reserve your stay at the Maumee Bay State Park Lodge for two nights. Click to registration form below.

Noon        Lunch at Rayz Café in Genoa, OH - A quaint country Cafe

1:30         Choice of: Golf at Maumee Bay State Park Golf Course (on your own)

                       Or games and fellowship in the lodge (free)

                       Or walking on Nature Preserve boardwalk or waterfront (free)

6:00         Dinner at Oregon Inn

                       Annual Chapter Business Meeting and Speaker—Brad Toft, Toledo YMCA CEO

7:30-?       Social following dinner (drinks on your own) with games and fellowship at the Lodge

Wednesday Sept 6                                                                  

8:00         Breakfast at lodge restaurant (on your own)

9:15         Leave for Toledo (carpool about 25 min.)

10:00       National Museum of the Great Lakes (admission included)                         

12:30       Lunch at Tony Packo’s (on your own)

2:00         Tour of the USS James M. “Schoonmaker” Museum Ship & tug “Ohio”

Optional: River Walk (located just upriver)

6:00         Dinner Banquet and Awards Ceremony Maumee Bay State Park (catered)

Thursday Sept 7

8:00        Breakfast at lodge restaurant (on your own)

9:00         Leave for Fort Meigs (30 min. drive)                                        

9:30        Tour Fort Meigs Historic Site & Museum

1:00         Lunch ”Inside the Five Brewery” (on your own)

2:00        Head home

DON’T DELAY—REGISTER BY Aug. 15

Photo by George Painter

A total of $780,000 in donations and pledges have been made toward our goal of $850,000. Tiny homes are being built by 90-plus volunteers signed up for construction waves this year. (Photo: Nearly complete Tiny Home exterior)

Dan Wheeler, Susan Wakefield, and Kirby Falkenberg, (he went to Camp Marrowbone as a volunteer with the Allen-Stone Chapter service project). All attended this spring. Deborah Winter plans to attend Wave 5 on Sept. 26. Danny Maier and Winnie have 7 friends joining them for the Sept. 26 and Oct. 3 waves. You can learn more about our National Service Project by clicking HERE.

Donald E. Rowe, 84, of South Bend passed away Tuesday May 23, 2023 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Donald was born in South Bend Nov.10, 1938 to the late Devon D. and Bessie Caroline (Brown) Rowe. 

He attended Lincoln School and graduated from John Adams High School. He then graduated from Manchester College with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Health and Recreation. He worked for 23 years in the YMCA Movement as well as a Senior Consultant for 17 years for the American City Bureau.

Donald found the love of his life in Barbara Bussey and, on August 20, 1960, the two were married in Dayton, Ohio. They shared 62 years of marriage together.

He loved his community and was very involved in local organizations. 

He was a member of the South Bend Rotary Club and a past president of the Racine, Wisconsin Rotary Club. Donald was also an active participant in Memorial Health and Lifestyle, AARP and, in 1966, was chosen as one of the “Outstanding Young Men of America.”

Donald leaves behind his wife Barbara along with their daughters Michele Kocsis of Fort Wayne and Sherri (Johnny) Rowe-Lopez of South Bend. Also surviving are two grandchildren: Douglas Kocsis and Jonnathan Lopez and two great-grandchildren: Ember and Henry.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Devon and Bessie Rowe and his brother, Duane D. Rowe.

Services were held Saturday June 3 at the Nappanee Missionary Church. 

Memorial Contributions in Donald’s name may be made to the YMCA of Greater Michiana, 905 N. Front St. Niles, MI 49120.