Roman Lehman has invested much of his life helping others.

Now it is the lifelong Nappanee resident’s turn to receive the generosity which has hallmarked his life.

In October 2017 Lehman was diagnosed with stage four cancer, the same strain he survived 22 years ago.

The cancer is shutting down his pancreas and liver and he is presently receiving treatments to slow the progression. There is no known cure for his ailment.

Lehman and Deb, his wife of 40 years, are charitable mainstays in the community. They owned Gehl Industries in Nappanee for 12 years before selling the business “to spend more time together,” according to Laurie Schmucker, who is spearheading an upcoming benefit to defray medical expenses for the Lehmans.

“They have always had a strong desire to help individuals and families in need,” said Schmucker.

Deb and Roman Lehman enjoy the company of their grandchildren, Isaac, 2, left, and Griffin, 1. (Photo provided)

The benefit will include a pulled pork dinner with potato salad, baked beans and chips served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Nappanee Church of the Brethren, 301 Mack Drive. The dinner is available for a freewill donation.

An Amish bake sale will commence at 4:30 p.m. and run until the goodies are sold out.

A live auction, consisting of donated household furnishings, Amish handcrafted furniture, bookcases, a bedroom suite, free-standing cabinets, gift baskets, gift certificates and other items, will start at 7 p.m.

Lehman served as a Nappanee firefighter from 1986 to 2001 and his wife helped implement the twice-weekly free community dinners at Nappanee Church of the Brethren in cooperation with Faith Mission of Elkhart. Together the Lehmans put on multiple benefit dinners for others in the community.

Monetary donations may be dropped off at John’s Butcher Shop, 158 N. Main St., Nappanee.

For more information, or to donate items for the auction, call Laurie at (574) 354-0106 or Anita at (574) 596-3911.