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Kevin Overmyer honored with Sagamore of the Wabash

Monday, April 7, 2025 at 3:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

In front of more than 100 family members, friends, and colleagues, recently retired Kevin Overmyer was awarded Indiana’s highest honor.  Saturday’s celebration honored Overmyer’s 25 years and 5 months of service to the citizens of Marshall County as County Commissioner.

Master of Ceremonies for the event was former commissioner Mike Burroughs.  He recognized several in attendance, including former Congressman, U.S. Senator, and Ambassador to the Vatican Joe Donnelly, David Bottorff Executive Director of the Association of Indiana Counties, Berry Ritter the former Executive Director of the State of Indiana 911 Board, Tom Murtaugh Tippecanoe County Commissioner, Plymouth Mayor Robert Listenberger, former Indiana State Representative Bill Friend, James Turnwald Executive Director of MACOG, and Wayne County Commissioner Ken Paust.

Long-time friend and confidant John Oliver from U.S. Granules spent several minutes highlighting several of Overmyer’s significant contributions.  He said there had been no collective effort to develop and grow the economy in Marshall County until Overmyer and several others got together and created the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, which has saved and added more jobs and economic development than any other generation.

Commissioner Overmyer was a member of the U.S. 31 Coalition and led the charge to get additional entrances to Plymouth and overpasses to the other side of the county for emergency services.    

Overmyer was instrumental in bringing the Metronet to Marshall County by traveling to Washington, D.C., and Indianapolis.  He helped put together a joint public-private venture to make sure the businesses and citizens in Marshall County had access to fiber.

In 2018, a team from Marshall County decided to apply for a Stellar Designation, and once again, Commissioner Kevin Overmyer was on the team.  While they weren’t successful at their first attempt, it was Overmyer who encouraged the committee to grow and apply the following year.  This time they were successful and collectively the county received over $14 million for about 30 projects across the county to improve the quality of life.   

Overmyer was also on a team during 2019 and 2020 when the COVID pandemic was in full force.  A team of business and non-profit leaders raised about $545,000 for the Fund The Essentials in a 5 to 6-week period. Those funds were used to supply food and housing assistance to those impacted by COVID. 

Mr. Oliver’s nickname for Overmyer is “The Great Unifier,” and he said that Kevin worked with everyone regardless of the politics or their community in the county to make Marshall County a great place to live, work, and play. 

Former County Treasurer and Auditor Penny Lukenbill stepped to the podium and read the “Sagamore of the Wabash” presented to Kevin Overmyer by Governor Eric Holcomb on December 31, 2024. The "Sagamore of the Wabash" is Indiana's highest honor, a personal tribute bestowed by the governor to individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the state, recognizing their wisdom, public commitment, and concern for the well-being of others. 

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