During the Optimist Club’s monthly meeting with a special location at the Greensburg Fire Station. The Optimist Club came together for laughter, comradery, and to honor local Firefighters.
The Optimist Club has been honoring a Decatur County Firefighter for the past 29 years. Retired Assistant Chief Brian Wenning stated, “We have honored a firefighter posthumously, and we’ve also honored a husband and wife. This year we’re going for the trifecta, and honestly, we couldn’t give this award to just one, without fairly giving it to the other two.” Brian spoke of the respect that he has for the award recipients and spoke about the work that they have done for their communities as well as serving as firefighters. The Firefighter of the Year went to Steve, Ken, and Dave Stone.
All three gentlemen were recruited by their father, Bill Stone, who was one of the founding members of the Marion Twp. Fire Department. Steve started in 1973. Ken and Dave started in 1975.
The crowd was filled with several family members and friends in attendance to celebrate this award.
Brian Wenning added, “With Steve’s engineering background, and Ken and Dave’s mechanical and electrical skills, these brothers tackled many projects at the firehouse, projects at the local church, prepping and pouring grave markers at the cemetery, and building dugouts at the ball field are just a few of their projects.”
Fire Chief Nathan Stoermer spoke about Fire Prevention Week and all of the hard work that the Greensburg Fire Department has put into visiting local schools and hosting daycare tours at the fire station this week. This year’s theme is Charge into Fire Safety.” This focuses on Lithium-Ion Batteries in your home. Chief Stoermer reminded all in attendance about their departments Chili Supper on Friday October 10, 2025.
