Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita paid homage to Jean Northenor, Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller.

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By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER – The 50th Kosciusko County Republican Party Hall of Fame Dinner provided an opportunity to honor the memories of Dr. Dane Miller, his wife, Mary Louise Miller, and former county chairwoman Jean Northenor.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita was invited to give remarks about the three leaders, but they were also remembered by keynote speaker former Gov. Mitch Daniels and Ashley McGinnis, president of the Kosciusko County Republican Women’s Club.

Daniels noted he had stayed clear of political affiliations for the past six months, but when county party chairman Mike Ragan contacted him, Daniels said he was honored to recognize Dane and Mary Louise Miller — and noted he was calling because Jean Northenor had asked him to. “Actually, Jean Northenor didn’t used to ask you to,” he joked.

Former Gov. Mitch Daniels paid tribute to Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller and Jean Northenor.

Daniels said many people had encouraged him to consider running for public office over the years, including Northenor, but the evening’s honorees were “giants.”

“Dane Miller stands in the long tradition of entrepreneurs, the tinkerers — the bold men and women who built the greatest economy the world has ever seen,” Daniels said. “He created opportunity and jobs for others through the free enterprise system we are so blessed to have.”

He described Mary Louise Miller as a “fantastic citizen in her own right,” whose generosity extended well beyond the community. “Her heart was big enough for the whole world,” he said.

“And Jean,” he continued, “was dynamite. When we think about great citizens … it’s those qualities of enterprise, the impulse to build and create and generate opportunity for other people, and making time and effort for the difficult work of public life. These three people — you could not choose finer people to honor.”

Before Rokita spoke, he was introduced by county party secretary Austin Rovenstine, who noted Northenor had introduced Rokita “many times from this podium” and had been one of his strongest supporters.

“They recognized in each other a certain feistiness — a willingness to throw punches when necessary,” Rovenstine said. “But it’s a good thing they were allies. … As much of a fighter as he may be, I’d put my money on Jean.”

Rokita said he had been asked to focus his remarks on Northenor while also honoring the Millers.

“I do remember Mary Louise and Dane,” he said. “They were among my very first financial supporters, and I will never forget them. Dane was every bit the Hoosier entrepreneur, and I wish these young people could have known them both. And I also wish they could have known Jean Northenor.”

A portrait of Jean Northenor was displayed.

He recalled Northenor’s long list of roles — county auditor, bank executive, county Republican chair — and her “quiet strength,” which, he said, “wasn’t always so quiet.”

Rokita shared memories from his first statewide race in 2000, when the party believed the secretary of state contest was the key to proving Indiana was winnable for Republicans again. Northenor, he said, played a critical role.

“To appreciate how Jean led, you have to appreciate the situation at the time,” he said. “We were a minority party living in a backward state on every measurement known. We were tired of losing.”

He said Sue Ann Gilroy, whom he served as attorney and chief deputy, first introduced him to Northenor. “I was told, ‘you need to go to Kosciusko County and meet Jean Northenor,” he recalled noting being Polish he correctly pronounced the county’s name. I told Jean that when I first met her.

“If she were here tonight, she’d be in the back of the room, and she’d wait until everyone was done talking with me … she’d put her arm around me, saying, ‘Todd, that was a very interesting set of remarks you had. Don’t ever do that again,’” he said. “That was how Jean and I got to know and love one another and we did. .. She had a discernment to know what kind of attitude was needed on any given occasion…”

Northenor’s fierce dedication he continued, “built so much of the community we cherish today,” and she always put Kosciusko County first.

She served on the Warsaw Community Development Corporation, Grace College’s Westminster steering committee, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, the Hoosier Lottery Commission, Daniels’ Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commission, and the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission.

A portrait of Mary Louise Miller was displayed.

Rokita said she was especially proud of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy, which she helped create after seeing the need for new civic leaders. The academy now has more than 1,000 graduates in nearly 40 years.

“That was classic Jean,” he said. “She turned obstacles into opportunities — especially for women — and never sought the spotlight for herself.”

He noted any time you sat down with her, you knew where she came from, what she believed in and what needed to be done. He recalled occasions, of which there were several, when he was summoned to her porch to talk about all things, which they did.

He noted she received four Sagamore of the Wabash awards, was named one of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 100 most influential leaders, and earned multiple honors locally, including the Warsaw Chamber’s 1983 Woman of the Year.

Rokita concluded that the best way to honor the Millers and Northenor is to follow their example of community leadership.

McGinnis also spoke about the work of the county women’s club and honored the Millers and Northenor..

Dr. Dane Miller’s portrait was displayed.

“I want to take a moment to honor a couple of remarkable women whose legacies have shaped our communities,” McGinnis said. “Jean Northenor was a remarkable woman whose leadership shaped our community. Jean was bold, compassionate, unwavering in her commitment to public service. She showed us what it means to lead with both strength and heart, and her legacy continues to inspire the work we do.”

She also recognized Mary Louise Miller.

“We remember Mary Louise Miller, whose vision and generosity left a lasting mark on this community,” she said. “The Millers invested deeply in Kosciusko County — in our people, our spaces and our future. Their legacy thrives in ways both seen and unseen, and we are grateful for the countless ways they lifted our community up.”