Centerville remembers retired fire chief

Centerville residents have cried tears of sadness and of joy in recent days.

Many mourned the Nov. 16 death of Dennis Spears, who served as Centerville Fire/Rescue chief for 24 years before health issues prompted his retirement earlier this year.  

In July, Spears attended council’s work session when Fire Station #2 on U.S. 40 was named for him. 

Chief Andy Aughe said Spears was known around Wayne County and Indiana for his 45 years of fire service. 

“There were several community members who came to the calling that did not know Chief Spears, but they wanted to pay their respects to him for all he’s done for our community,” Aughe said. “You’ll be hard pressed to find another fire chief that cared the way Chief Spears did.”

Despite their grief, CF/R and Centerville police carried on with an activity that Spears had helped lead in recent years  — delivery of Thanksgiving food boxes to nearly 80 families in need. 

Aughe said everyone they met was very grateful. Council President Dan Wandersee said one recipient began crying because she didn’t know what her family would have done for Thanksgiving meals. 

Volunteers will deliver more food boxes before Christmas.

Donations for food or in memory of Spears to help train future first responders can be sent to CF/R Auxiliary, P.O. Box 364, Centerville, IN 47330. 

In other business

• Town Manager Kevin Slick said employees’ health insurance costs will increase by about 8% in 2025. Council supported the insurance committee’s recommendation to renew the town’s present plan. Slick said last year’s increase was well below state/national averages and the latest still falls under the 10% average. Council President Dan Wandersee asked Slick to lead next year’s committee.
• Wandersee formed a committee including Police Chief Ed Buchholz, Assistant Fire Chief Jimmy Lawrence, councilor Gary Holbert, Slick and himself to determine what technology is needed to livestream council meetings by July 1 per new state requirements. Wandersee said equipment should be mobile if meetings must take place in larger venues such as the fire station.   
• Council’s December meeting will be delayed a day because Wandersee is meeting with Indiana’s incoming governor and lieutenant governor on Dec. 10. The public can join the 7 p.m. Dec. 11 meeting in town hall, 220 E. Main St. December’s work session to pay bills and resolve 2024 issues will be a day earlier, 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, to avoid New Year’s Eve.  
• Aughe has been researching new fire engines. He wants to order one in February so it will be ready in about 28 months, approximately when a current engine will be paid off. He’ll have an official price soon for council’s consideration.