Fund Est. 1997
Earl and Alta May Caston served this community well for many years. They were active in their church as officers and active participants in the church's organizations. They gave much of their time, talent, and treasury, even while raising a large family of eight children all born in Decatur. Both Earl and Alta May truly served others with no thought of personal gain or reward.
Earl M. Caston was born May 13, 1911, in Arcola, IN. At the age of nine, Earl began working in the tile mill in Arcola and helped his father in farming. He graduated from Arcola High School in 1929, he started working as a messenger for Old National Bank in Fort Wayne. He began working for the First State Bank in Decatur as a general bookkeeper on March 6, 1934. In 1935 he advanced to teller and over the years became the assistant cashier, vice president, a member of the Board of Directors, secretary of the board, trust officer, and executive vice president. After nearly 55 years in banking, he retired December 31, 1983, but continued to attend board meetings as a director emeritus. Earl was involved in various civic and charitable organizations through the years. He was Adams County's War Bond Chairman during WWII. He served as treasurer of the Salvation Army Emergency Aid Fund in Decatur from its inception until 1983 when he retired. He was also treasurer of the local Vietnamese Resettlement Committee. He and his family were active members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Decatur.
On September 24, 1938, he married Alta May Ruhl of Hoagland, IN. Alta May graduated from Ossian High School and Warner's Beauty college. Earl and Alta May resided in Decatur until 1954 when they moved to rural Decatur.
In Earl's many years working at the First State Bank of Decatur, he assisted many community groups with his expertise, and he always helped individuals when he could obtain financial assistance and support. Alta May was a homemaker. At the bank, Earl hired and trained many students from North Adams and Adams Central. That is why there are scholarships awarded to these two schools. Earl and Alta May Caston Memorial Scholarship was established in 1997.
This fund is endowed in the Adams County Community Foundation; therefore, these scholarships will be awarded forever. These scholarships are Earl and Alta's 'thank you' to the community they served and loved.
Students should be proud to receive this award as it recognizes hard work and perseverance.