Vice President of the County Council, Penny Lukenbill opened the final meeting of the new year in the absence of President Judith Stone who resigned her position on December 1st.
Lukenbill was surprised with a crowd of people entered the meeting room during the meeting. Commissioner President, Kevin Overmyer asked to interrupt the meeting and then asked John Oliver from US Granules to make a few comments on this being Lukenbill’s last meeting.
Mr. Oliver then read a letter sent to Governor Holcomb that said, “Penny A. Lukenbill has served the citizens of Marshall County in elected office for over two decades. Having been selected by caucus to fill the balance of an unexpired term as Marshall County Treasurer in 1999, Penny won a full term as Treasurer, serving until 2005. She was then elected as Marshall County Auditor, serving from 2006 until 2013, after which she again served as Treasurer from 2014-2016. Since 2017, Penny has served as a member of the Marshall County Council, where she has continued to apply her expertise in local government and local government finance for the benefit of local citizens.
Throughout her time in elected office, Penny has been active in the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC), serving on the Board from 2005 until 2015, as President for the 2013-14 term, and on its Legislative Committee. Penny was also twice President of the Indiana County Treasurers’ Association.
Penny was honored as Outstanding County Auditor in 2012 and was the 2020 recipient of the AIC’s Arthur R. Himsel Service Award. She was also recognized in the Congressional Record on December 2, 2014, at the request of US Representative Jackie Walorski.
Aside from public service, Penny has served on the Plymouth Public Library Board, the Plymouth Park Board, the Session of the First Presbyterian Church in Plymouth, and the Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation Board. Penny has also been active in the Plymouth Lions Club, helping to administer its KidSight program in area schools and also participating in missions in rural Mexico.
Penny’s dedication to good governance and to service to her community, both local and in the broader sense, reflect her character. She would be an excellent candidate for the award of a Sagamore of the Wabash.
Commissioner Overmyer then spoke and said he read the Sagamore of the Wabash to County Surveyor Larry Fisher received his 4 years ago. He also noted other from Marshall County who have been honored including Bill and Betty Laramore, Glen Overmyer, Bob Osborn, Bill Gee and John Zentz. Overmyer then read the Sagamore to Penny at one point his voice cracking saying, “those who have exhibited such qualities and had endeared herself to the citizens of Indiana. Distinguished by her humanity in living her loyalty to friendship, her wisdom in council and her inspiration in leadership.”
Overmyer then presented Penny Lukenbill with a copy of the Sagamore of the Wabash.
After a standing ovation Overmyer said, “We came together Penny and it was always my hope we’d go out together. We’ve been through a lot, through good times and bad times. I remember when the legislators delayed out tax billing and we were getting to the end of our rope and we had to borrow money from the Highway Department and other sources to make it through the year. You’ve always done it with class and dignity. You’ve become a part of the Overmyer family through vacations to Alaska, Mexico and Michigan and it’s always been a joy to be with you.”
A representative from U.S. Senator Mike Braun’s Office was in attendance and presented Lukenbill with a flag that flew over the Capital. She said Senator Braun requested the flag to be flown in honor of Lukenbill’s service and dedication to the county.
