Seven honored in Cincinnatus ceremony

A lifetime of service to the community doesn’t go unrecognized.

Cincinnatus League of Jay County inducted seven individuals into its Hall of Fame Wednesday at the Jay County Fair.

This year’s group included Kathy and Rock Fuqua, Bill Hinkle, Ron Laux, Becky Matchett, Kip Robinette and Jane Ann Spencer. 

“The reason we’re here today is to honor these nominees, who have given up themselves throughout their lifetimes to provide service for our community, and so we’d like to thank them, and honor them, and recognize them,” said Cincinnatus League of Jay County president Drew Houck. 

Cincinnatus League’s Jay County Hall of Fame honors those 65 or older who have made a significant impact volunteering in the local community.

Rock Fuqua, who was a member of the first class to graduate from Jay County High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University. He and wife Kathy owned and operated Fuqua Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Dunkirk for 47 years. The Fuquas have purchased and renovated various downtown Dunkirk buildings with a goal of finding entrepreneurs to fill the space.

The Fuquas are the first couple to be inducted into the Hall of Fame together, noted Houck.

Rock Fuqua talked about how he and others in the community started Dunkirk Investment Group (DIG) in 2008 with a goal of fixing up buildings. After it disbanded, the Fuquas took on the project themselves.

“It just became an obsession,” he said. “We’ve done a bunch of buildings, but the thing we enjoy the most is to get new, young entrepreneurs into town and see them live the American dream, you know, of being in business and just making it in this world.”

“It’s just, all these old buildings, especially in our small towns, communities, need some lovin’, and I think that’s what Rock and I wanted to do, is bring life to these buildings, and bring … people into a business where they can thrive and maybe their dreams can come true,” added Kathy Fuqua.

Hinkle, a 1964 Portland High School graduate, received a bachelor’s degree in history and his law degree from Indiana University before returning to practice law with his father in Jay County. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he served at Andrews Air Force Base from 1971 to 1972. He’s been involved in various community organizations over the years, having served in leadership roles for several groups, including Jay County United Way, Jay Community Center (then known as Jay County Boys Club), The Portland Foundation, Jay County Hospital and Jay County Public Library.

He talked about his time on the library’s board of trustees in the 1990s, recalling the former Carnegie Library and work that went into constructing the current building on Ship Street in Portland.

Hinkle also discussed his involvement with the hospital as it transitioned to IU Health Jay in 2017.

“You’ll find we have a very high quality facility that provides a lot of services to the community,” he said.

    Bill Hinkle laughs Wednesday during the Jay County Hall of Fame ceremony. A longtime attorney in Jay County, Hinkle also served on Jay County Public Library and Jay County Hospital boards. (The Commercial Review/Bailey Cline)

Spencer, a lifelong Jay County resident, has written eight history books, including “When There Were Eight,” a book about the eight former high schools in Jay County. She has co-authored the monthly Jay County Journal for the last 20 years. Known by some in the community as  “Mrs. History,” according to Houck, her dedication to historical preservation includes her work with Jay County Historical Society and Indiana State Historical Society, as well as her time teaching fourth and fifth grade at Jay schools.

“They didn’t have a book on Jay County history,” she recalled of her time in education, explaining how she and fourth grade teacher Jan Arnold wrote a local history book and orchestrated an elementary history tour.

She retired from teaching after 18 years to assist her husband, Don Spencer, at Williamson-Spencer Funeral Home.

Spencer is currently working on securing a historical marker for Jay County, pointing out Jay is the only county in Indiana without one.

Matchett moved to Indiana in 1954 with her parents and attended Trinity Parochial School. She became a licensed hairdresser in 1966 and later opened her shop, Beck’s Hair’em. She retired after 47 years in the business. Matchett served on the Planned Parenthood Board. She actively supported the Jay County 4-H auction. After her battle with cancer nearly 10 years ago, Matchett joined Jay County Cancer Society as a board member and volunteer. She recalled her experience as a cancer patient seeking help from the local organization and encouraged participation.

“We work very hard to be able to be able to give money to patients,” she said. “Please don’t be too proud or feel like you don’t deserve (it), that’s why we work so hard, so we have the money to give to cancer patients.”

Laux retired from Jay County REMC after 36 years. His workplace led him to dedicate his time to local service.

“That became my life,” he said. “That’s how I became so involved in community, different community boards, because my workplace encouraged strong community involvement. Because what did REMC do? Serve the entire community.”

 He has served as a Jay School Board member and currently serves as its president. He’s also been involved in the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, Jay County Leadership Academy Board, The Portland Foundation, Jay County Development Corporation and the Portland Christmas decorating committee. 

Robinette, a Pennville High School graduate, earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Ball State University. A United States Army and National Guard veteran, he served as Jay County Sheriff for eight years. Robinette described one of his major accomplishments to be implementing Jay County’s new 911 address system. He’s also been involved in Pennville and Portland Lions Clubs, Pennville Fire Department and Youth Service Bureau. He is also a former Portland City Council member. Robinette is currently serving as financial officer and honor guard member of Portland American Legion Post 211.

Cincinnatus League has recognized 196 senior citizens with the Hall of Fame award since 1993.

Houck noted the group started with the intent to give opportunities to men and women to serve. Its noon meetings also gave an alternative to other clubs that met in the evenings.

“We’re still delighted to be serving the community,” he said.