Gazebo built to honor Van Wert resident

VW independent/submitted information

Longtime Habitat for Humanity volunteer Glen Jenkins was recently honored with the building of a gazebo on the grounds of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert. As an unofficial event of the Van Wert Peony Festival, a dedication of the structure was performed this past weekend with family, friends, and associates attending.

From 2000 until his death in 2014, Mr. Jenkins had been secretary-treasurer and handled legal matters for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. During his tenure, 12 homes were erected around the county. In addition to this work, he served on St. Mary’s financial and parish councils intermittently for an even longer period of time.

Habitat for Humanity representatives Brent Jones, Mike Boaz, and Sam Laurent, who designed and served as lead supervisor for the project, were on hand for the dedication services. Jones served as spokesman and offered high praise for Jenkins’ commitment and hard work on behalf of the organization.

“His wisdom, calm demeanor, wit, and business sense, along with his desire to help others, was a most valuable asset, not only to our organization, but to the community as well, and he is still sorely missed,” Jones said.

He also noted that, when Jenkins passed away two years ago, Habitat members wanted, as a group, to do something in his honor, something that would be visible in the community and worthy of honoring not only his commitment to Habitat, but also his commitment and service to the Van Wert community.

“After much discussion and many ideas, we decided, because of Glen’s involvement in Rotary and its work in Fountain Park, to build a gazebo in St. Mary’s Memorial Garden to recognize not only Glen’s service to Habitat and the Van Wert community, but also his service as an active parishioner of St. Mary’s Church,” Jones added.

The Jenkins family was represented by Glen’s wife, Patricia, daughter Mary of Van Wert, and sons Howie, of Okeana, and Patrick, from Bethel, who spoke of Glen’s commitment to Habitat and the community.

Two daughters, Robin (Shephard) and Chris (McCarty), of the Washington, D.C., area, were unable to attend.

Father Stan Szybka of St. Mary’s Church offered the dedication prayers.