Kiwanis welcomes new members

Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Kiwanis Club of Greencastle will welcome three new members today.

Edward Kirkpatrick

Edward Kirkpatrick is a U.S. Army civilian. He retired from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program Office, and currently resides in Greencastle.

Kirkpatrick and his wife Kathleen have been married for 38 years. They have a son Scott, 37, who lives in Terre Haute and a daughter Kelly, 33, who lives in Indianapolis.

"When I retired from working as a civilian for the Army's Future Combat Systems, located at the Tank Automotive Command in Warren, Mich., my wife and I decided to move to Greencastle to be near our children and grandchildren," Kirkpatrick said. "We have lived here nearly three years."

Kirkpatrick is a member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the DePauw-Greencastle Songwriters Collective. He belongs to St. Paul Catholic Church, where he is a member of the Pastor-Parish Council, and he serves as a volunteer for the Putnamville Prison Ministry.

"I became a member of Kiwanis to help community youth and to get to know more people in the community," he said.

Kirkpatrick's hobbies include hiking, boating and renewable energy research and development.

Opal Sutherlin

Opal Jane Sutherlin currently serves on the Putnam County Council.

She is a lifetime resident of Putnam County, and resides in Cloverdale Township.

She is married to Dallas Sutherlin and the mother of Todd (Jodi) Sutherlin and Tracy (Denny) Bridges. She is also the grandmother of seven.

In addition to Kiwanis, Sutherlin belongs to the Moose Lodge, American Legion, Republican Women's Club and Greencastle Christian Church.

"For many years I have read and seen all the good things Kiwanis does for many different organizations, the community and especially youth," Sutherlin said. "I decided I wanted to join and be a part of the Kiwanis team and to help make a difference and serve the people of Putnam County."

Sutherlin worked for IBM, and retired from the company after 27 years of service.

"For the past 17 years I have been involved in county government," she said. "I was elected and served two four-year terms as the Putnam County clerk."

In January, Sutherlin will take office as the Putnam County recorder.

Becky Homko

Becky Homko is the owner and editor of the local publication Family Fun Times Indiana. She is also a consultant for Usborne Books and More.

Homko and her husband have been married for 12 years and have two children, ages 6 and 3.

Homko is active in both Kiwanis and Rotary. She also participates in the Toys for Tots program in conjunction with Usborne Books.

"Kiwanis is an organization that my grandfather was involved in when I was a child," Homko said. "I always heard about the great things that they helped the community with. When we moved to the area I wanted to be involved in the community that I lived in. So I searched out Kiwanis and am proud to be one of the newest members of the Greencastle Kiwanis."

Homko is also active with the Greencastle and Owen County chambers of commerce and is a member of Rainmakers.

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