{"id":207971,"date":"2026-07-17T20:26:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T01:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=207971"},"modified":"2026-07-17T20:26:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T01:26:43","slug":"dsj-announces-new-hall-of-fame-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2026\/07\/17\/dsj-announces-new-hall-of-fame-class\/","title":{"rendered":"DSJ announces new Hall of Fame class"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VW independent staff\/submitted information<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DELPHOS — The Hall of Fame of St. John the Evangelist Catholic School was created in 2004 to honor and recognize those whose deeds and actions exemplify the spirit of Delphos St. John\u2019s. The honorees are recognized in four categories: Professional Achievement, Arts\/Athletic Achievement, Service to Mankind and Service to St. John\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone is eligible and welcome to submit a nomination into the Delphos St. John\u2019s Hall of Fame. Nominations throughout the year and must be submitted by March 1 in order to be considered for that year\u2019s induction. All nominees must be at least five years post-high school graduation. Nomination forms and requirements for each category, as well as a full list of past inductees and current committee members may be found on the school website at https:\/\/www.delphosstjohns.org\/hall-of-fame<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes: Professional Achievement \u2013 Mark Wellman, Class of 1978; Art\/Athletic Achievement \u2013 Scott M. Elwer. Class of 1992; Service to Mankind \u2013 Mandy (Unterbrink) Weimerskirch, Class of 2002; and Service to St. John\u2019s \u2013 Jeff Rode, Class of 1984. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark Wellman, Professional Achievement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wellman is a 1978 graduate of St. John\u2019s High School. As a student, he was active in the National Honor Society, student council, acted in the senior class play \u201cBrigadoon,\u201d played trumpet in the concert, marching and pep bands, and served as Head Drum Major as a senior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a French Minor from The Ohio State University in 1982. As a Buckeye, he was linked into Sphinx Senior Honorary, the highest honor accorded to an Ohio State student.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mark Wellman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

He was selected as a member of the 1981 OSU Homecoming Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wellman graduated from the DePaul University College of Law in 1986 and joined the leadership staff of Ohio Senate President Paul Gillmor. In 1988, he joined the Gillmor for Congress campaign as Press Coordinator for the primary, then as Campaign Manager for the general election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congressman Gillmor selected him to serve as his Chief of Staff, a position he held from January 2, 1989 until September 2007. Wellman played a key staff role in privatizing and thus saving the National Rifle Matches held annually at Camp Perry, Ohio, and in securing federal funding for the Delphos Reservoir, named for the Congressman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was elected President of the bipartisan U.S. House of Representatives Chiefs of Staff Association, and was selected as a Stennis Fellow. For two years, he coordinated an exchange between US Congressional staff and staff of the German Bundestag. He visited the Village of Riemsloh, the ancestral home of Delphos\u2019 first settlers, and spent time with the German Wellmann family, visited the original family farm and attended mass in Sankt Johannes Catholic Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wellman holds the rank of Colonel (Retired), National Guard of the United States, serving as a Judge Advocate in the Ohio and the District of Columbia Army National Guard over a 27-year career. His unit was the first mobilized by the Army after the attacks on 9\/11. He volunteered for deployment to Baghdad, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Feb 2008 to May 2009. He commanded the National Guard Bureau Legal Support Office from 2011 until 2015. His awards and commendations include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon his retirement from U.S. Congressional staff and from the Army, Wellman joined the faculty at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY as Assistant Professor in the Law and Legal Studies Program. He currently teaches Introduction to Legal Method and Advanced Constitutional Law. He also serves as the Head Department Academic Counselor in the Department of the Law and Philosophy. He is a volunteer photographer for Army athletics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Jeff Rode, Service to St. John\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For 35 years, the most dependable sound heard throughout autumn Friday nights in Delphos was not the high-pitched whine of the cicadas; it was the dedicated voice of Blue Jay football, Jeff Rode. From 1986 through 2021 Jeff selflessly contributed his time and talent in service to St. John\u2019s through his artistic manner of announcing the gridiron exploits of St. John\u2019s. During that time, Jeff painted a colorful mural of the on-field play for Stadium Park crowds and the surrounding neighborhoods.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Jeff Rode<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

During his tenure, Jeff announced for 185 home games, 6 state title teams, and 10 MAC championship teams. However, his greatest memory is introducing Jordan and Josh (he and his wife Julie\u2019s sons) before games, and calling out their names and numbers during their years playing football for the Blue Jays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In retrospect, Jeff is extremely grateful that his service to the school afforded him the ability to keep in touch with so many families and students as their years at St John’s passed. He greatly enjoyed being able to announce multiple generations of athletes through the years. Jeff considers himself honored to announce so many Homecoming Queens and their courts. Being able to be a small part of so many great teams, multiple state championship teams, and the 57 consecutive win era, and countless other memories will forever be reminders of Jeff\u2019s selfless contributions to St. John\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeff grew up in Delphos the son of Ron and Mary Lou Rode, brother of Brenda, Doug, and Chad. His parents were very supportive and influential to Jeff, prioritizing a close-knit family. Jeff grew up loving sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball four years at St. John\u2019s. He also proudly served four years on Student Council. In addition to football announcer, Jeff also served St. John\u2019s through various roles in the Athletic Boosters and was the 300 Club Chairperson for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scott M. Elwer, Arts\/Athletic Achievement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had a great childhood with my parents Denny and Cindy, and my two younger sisters Stacy and Amanda. Sports were always a huge part of my life and my family’s life. I played organized football, completely revolved her life around my sisters and I, and I have always been very grateful for all the sacrifices they made. I was influenced by all of my youth coaches, but overall my dad was definitely my biggest role model. Watching how he treated people and my mom has had a profound impact on the person I am today. We were Blue Jays through and through, as I don’t think I ever missed a St. John’s football or basketball game growing up. I will never forget standing in line for hours waiting for them to open the doors to St. John’s tournament games.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Scott Elwer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I remember my years at St. John’s very fondly. I went to Landeck Elementary until sixth grade and then went to St. John’s from seventh through 12th grade. I remember having a lot of great teachers, but my biggest influences were Coach Arnzen and Coach Whiting. I was very shy and introverted growing up and my experiences in basketball and football gave me so much more confidence. I’ve yet to go to a high school basketball game that compares to the atmosphere in our gym. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest lesson I took from my years at St. John’s is that you have to work for things that matter. If something is easy it is quickly forgotten. The important things in life are challenging and you have to be able to handle the ups and downs to be successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After graduating from St. John\u2019s I went to Hillsdale College. One of the main reasons I ended up there was that Scott Schulte, who was two years older than me, played football at Hillsdale. I played four years of football then I played two years of basketball at Hillsdale. I am grateful that I had so many tremendous teachers, coaches, and teammates at Hillsdale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest blessing Hillsdale gave me was I met my wife, Abbi. We have been married for over 28 years now. We live in New Albany, just outside of Columbus. We have a 25-year-old daughter, Raegen, and a 23-year-old son, Braedon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In basketball at St. John\u2019s, Scott scored 1,205 points and was First Team All MAC his junior and senior years. As a senior in football Scott was MAC Offensive Player of the Year, first team All-MAC as quarterback, defensive back and punter. As a junior, first team defensive back, second team quarterback and honorable mention punter. His sophomore season, honorable mention defensive back. At Hillsdale he was All-American his junior and senior years and set the school record with 24 interceptions. He was first team All-GLIAC in basketball as a senior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mandy (Unterbrink) Weimerskirch, Service to Mankind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a young girl, Mandy Weimerskirch didn\u2019t always know why she was put here, but her faith told her there was a reason. She grew up in Delphos as the daughter of Al and Mary Unterbrink, where her foundation was built at home. Mandy credits her parents as her earliest and most influential mentors, shaping her work ethic, integrity, and the grounded confidence that defines her leadership today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While in high school, Mandy was part of the 2002 girls Division IV state basketball tournament championship team, a group that learned as much about perseverance as it did about winning. Led by the late Dan \u201cBeezy\u201d Grothouse and a dedicated coaching staff, the team grew together over time. What began as a group of strong-willed young athletes ultimately became something greater, coming together when it mattered most to achieve a shared dream. It was a dream built over years, long summer nights in the gym, staying until they were finally told to head home.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mandy Weimerskirch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After graduating from the University of Findlay, Mandy moved to Columbus, where she spent six years developing her professional career. Yet the pull of Delphos, and the desire to raise her children (Morgan, Colton, and Jade) in the same supportive community that raised her, brought her and her husband Bryan back home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After returning, she identified a local need and desire for a health-conscious community gathering, with the emphasis on the local community. From that vision, Run for a Reason, known locally as the Delphos Run Club, was born in 2014. What started as a simple idea has grown into a movement, impacting hundreds of lives across the community. The influence of her service to mankind can be summed up by her quote: \u201cOne of the moments that stands out most to me was when we organized an event for a young boy in our community who had been diagnosed with cancer. In just a few days, we brought people together and raised over $13,000 for his family. That night showed me what\u2019s possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. But the impact goes far beyond the dollars. It\u2019s in the relationships, the support, and the feeling that you\u2019re part of something bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serving as an example for the next generation in the same way her childhood influences did for her, Mandy will continue to make a difference in the lives of many more through her service to mankind. That is living for a reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All are welcome to attend the Hall of Fame Induction dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, September 26, at the Delphos Knights of Columbus Hall where these four individuals will be honored and celebrated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

VW independent staff\/submitted information DELPHOS — The Hall of Fame of St. John the Evangelist Catholic School was created in 2004 to honor and recognize those whose deeds and actions exemplify the spirit of Delphos St. John\u2019s. The honorees are recognized in four categories: Professional Achievement, Arts\/Athletic Achievement, Service to Mankind and Service to St. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-207971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-07-24 23:19:43","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=207971"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207991,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207971\/revisions\/207991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=207971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=207971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=207971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}