Ness, Lloyd Family Fund

Donor Fund Story:

Lloyd William Ness was born in Whitley County in 1929 when our nation was on the brink of the Great Depression. His farming family lived off the land and he learned early in life to get along with what he had. When chores were done, he enjoyed all the outdoors activities afforded to a boy living on a farm.

School came easy for Lloyd and he found book learning was not hard. His teacher from fourth thru sixth grade seemed to understand the problems of rural children, and he developed the deepest kind of respect and admiration for her. Her example inspired him to want to become a teacher, to work with children and understand them so he could make them feel good and proud, just as she had made him feel. In high school he played basketball all four years at Washington Center and graduated in 1947 with the nickname “Slim”. During his senior year, his vocational agriculture teacher provided more inspiration. Lloyd appreciated the way the instructor gave dignity to the profession and was impressed by the way he handled students. His tremendous respect for the land and his love of agriculture naturally moved him to be an active member of 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Junior Leaders. In his adult years, he served as sponsor and advisor for many chapters.

After high school, he worked on a farm in Arcola and fell in love with the farmer’s daughter. Lloyd married Patricia Wessels in 1951, the same year he was discharged from the U.S. Army. Graduating from Purdue University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, he became a lifelong supporter of the Boilermakers. After many night and summer classes, he eventually received a Master of Science in Education (also from Purdue University) in 1961. During all of this Lloyd and Pat raised seven children, moved from Whitley County to Noble County, and settled in a house Lloyd built on a farm outside of Cromwell.

In an educational career that spanned from 1952 to 1975, Lloyd worked at Cromwell High School, Larwill High School, Ligonier High School, West Noble High School and Cromwell Elementary. He taught vocational agriculture, science, biology, was principal and a guidance counselor. Lloyd and Pat were also active members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ligonier, the Elks and Lions Club and American Legion Post 243. And through- out all of this, he remained a farmer at heart in love with the change of seasons. Lloyd was the kind of guy who never met a stranger. His easy smile and great sense of humor welcomed one and all to any conversation. He enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing, making maple syrup, playing cards and eating good pie. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children, always making time for a family camping trip during the summer. His children have created this fund in his honor with the intent to continue his passion for learning and willingness to help others.