Eikenberry Fund Awards First Scholarship

The Nils and Collette Eikenberry Memorial Scholarship was recently awarded to Erin Hartzell, Greenville H.S. graduate and Wright State University student. The scholarship is administered by the HOPE Foundation of Darke County. From left: Tripp Davis, Mark Davis and Gretchen Davis, representing the Eikenberry family; Erin Hartzell; Christy Prakel, president of the HOPE Foundation.

An endowment fund at the HOPE Foundation of Darke County in memory of Nils and Collette Eikenberry recently awarded its first scholarship. The recipient was Erin Hartzell, a senior at Wright State University and graduate of Greenville High School. Erin was recognized for her scholastic achievement and activities, including a volunteer internship at Wayne Healthcare in its physical therapy department. The fund will award a scholarship each year to a GHS graduate serving a volunteer internship.

Established by their three daughters, Gretchen Davis and Elizabeth Bunch of Greenville, and Jenny White of Colorado Springs, the Nils and Collette Eikenberry Memorial Fund is a tribute to extraordinary parents who were devoted to their family and their community.

“We wanted to establish this fund in memory of our parents who gave of their time and resources to others, while showing us the importance of this,” said Gretchen. “They also taught us the value of further education and hard work.”

Known as a humble, loyal and caring person, Nils passed away at age 67 in September 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. Collette Spidel Eikenberry, a generous mother and community volunteer, died of cancer in 1994 at age 50.

“Our father was a quiet and honorable man,” said Jenny. “Our mother was an outgoing woman who was always helping others. Both managed many things and people in their lives yet always made family and friends the center of their lives,” she added.

Nils graduated from Greenville High School in 1961 and attended Manchester College and the University of Cincinnati. Collette graduated from GHS in 1962 and also attended the University of Cincinnati.
Nils spent 45 years managing the family-run grocery business, Eikenberry’s Foodliners, retiring in 2005. He served on many Darke County boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, Family Health Services, Greenville Country Club, Sertoma Club, A Learning Place, Red Cross, Community Improvement Board, Elks, Masonic Lodge, Antioch Shrine of Dayton, and Darke County Shrine Club.

Collette served as a member and president of the Darke County Cancer Association, Wayne Hospital Auxiliary, FISH volunteer and member of Lambda Chi Omega philanthropic sorority.

The HOPE Foundation is pleased to honor this generous couple through this annual award. As the community foundation of Darke County, the HOPE Foundation receives, manages and distributes charitable gifts for the benefit of Darke County residents and non-profit organizations. For information about starting a charitable fund, call 548-HOPE or visit HOPE’s website at www.hopedarkecounty.com.