The Indiana Publisher

Page 2 May 14, 2015 Madison publisher wanted coverage of 'ordinary folks' Former HSPA member active in service to rural community J ane Wallis Jacobs, owner and publisher of The Madison Courier, died Monday, April 13, 2015, at Hosparus Care Center in Louisville, Ky. Jacobs, 69, had been ill for more than a year. Jacobs grew up in the newspaper business. Her great-great grandfather, Michael C. Garber, moved to Madison from Rising Sun after trading his dry-goods store for the Courier in 1849. Upon his death, his son, Michael Garber Jr., took control of the newspaper. When Michael Garber Jr. retired, his son, Michael E. Garber, took over. In the late 1940s, Garber turned over control of the daily newspaper to his two sons- in-law, Lloyd G. Neal and Donald Wallis. Upon Garber's death in 1962, Donald Wallis became publisher and served in that role until his death in 1989. At that time, Jacobs took over. She became the fifth generation of her family to lead the newspaper. Jacobs' son, Curt, will assume leadership of the newspaper. Her younger son, William, supervises the Courier's production operation. Her daughter, Sally, is an attorney living in Falmouth, Mass. All three children serve on the newspaper's board of directors. Under her watch, The Courier experienced many changes. Jacobs oversaw new technology that provided fundamental changes in how the newspaper was produced. And, most recently, she championed The Courier's efforts to deliver news on a variety of news platforms. What never changed was her conviction of what she thought the role of a community newspaper should be. Jacobs' love of Madison was evident on the pages of The Courier. She encouraged stories and photos about "ordinary folks" who might not otherwise get their names in the newspaper. She never shied away from the tough stories, but Jacobs got the most satisfaction from stories that reflected the good things happening in the community that she loved. She insisted that The Courier's pages reflect her personal sentiment that everyone be treated with respect. Jacobs was a bit uneasy when a headline came close to crossing her poor taste threshold. But she seldom raised her voice in anger. Jacobs was known to roll up her sleeves and help in the mailroom or to get in her car to deliver newspapers when the need arose. She did whatever it took to get the newspaper to its readers, and she expected her employees to follow her lead. Last year, she once again coordinated the Courier's annual 10K race even though she was already dealing with the effects of her illness. The personal and pro fes- sional lives of a community newspaper owner are tightly entwined. Jacobs frequently was seen with her mother, Mary Goode Wallis, as they attended community events. And, quite often, she had a van filled with her grandchildren. There was nothing more important than family, she often would say. Jacobs made a point of knowing the families of her employees. When a new baby joined the Courier family, she celebrated. And, when that child made its inaugural visit to the Courier, Jacobs was the first to say, "Let me hold that baby." Jacobs had three children, but it was a "fourth child" whom many employees got to know quite well. Sam, a black Labrador, was a regular visitor to The Courier offices. A gentle creature, Sam had free roam of the Courier offices. When he wasn't reclined on a sofa in Jacobs' office, he often could be found in the company break room where he received a steady diet of junk food from employees. If Jacobs was in charge, Sam was a close second – at least that's what he thought. Those who knew her best say Jacobs worked tirelessly – often behind the scenes – to improve the community. She wasn't one to seek the spotlight. She served on many public and private boards, was active in the Madison Presbyterian Church – where she was a member since 1952, and co-founded and taught in the church's pre-school – and was an ardent supporter of the arts. She loved music – listening, singing and organizing events. One of her favorite activities was performing in the chorus of the annual presentation of Handel's "Messiah," presented by the Madison-Ohio Valley Community Chorus and Hanover College. She seldom missed a performance by high school and community theater groups. Jacobs served on many boards, including Jefferson County Youth Shelter, United Way of Jefferson County, Englishton Park, Madison Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ruth Haven transitional home, Casa Amiga, Historic Madison Inc., Salvation Army, Jefferson County Historical Society and Friends of the Library. She was a founding board member of the Community Foundation. V erna "Louise" Johnson was born April 17, 1919, to Mary Clarice (Boardman) Miles and Norman M. Miles, both of whom preceded her in death. She was a former co-owner of Warrick Newspaper and member of the Hoosier State Press Association. Johnson was married for 57 years to C. Richard "Dick" Johnson, former owner and publisher of Warrick Newspaper. He and his father had been in the newspaper business for over 100 years. She attended Goad School, Clark Elementary School, Boonville High School and Evansville College. Johnson was a founding member of the C. Richard Johnson and Verna Louise Johnson Foundation. She was honorary secretary of state under Ed Simcox. She also was a charter member of Rolling Hills Country Club, founding committee member of Warrick County Museum and associate member of the Beta Association Chapter of Tri Kappa. Johnson also was a mem- ber of the Petroleum Club, Kennel Club, Captain Jacob Warrick DAR, Garden Club, Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Star and American Legion Auxiliary. She was active in the Warrick County Foundation, where she had served on the scholarship committee. She was on the community relations committee for St. Mary Warrick Hospital and was Warrick County Community Foundation's 2013 Most Valuable Philanthropist. Johnson was a member and elder of the Hemenway Memorial Presbyterian Church and first woman to serve on its board of trustees. She was also a former violinist with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. Also a member of the Kentucky Press Association, she served as a judge for several newspaper contests in Kentucky and was commissioned an Honorable Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Paul E. Patton. Jane Wallis Jacobs Verna "Louise" Johnson HSPA staff Steve Key, executive director and general counsel skey@hspa.com • (317) 624-4427 Karen T. Braeckel, HSPA Foundation director kbraeckel@hspa.com • (317) 624-4426 Pamela Lego, MAP advertising director plego@hspa.com • (812) 350-7711 Milissa Tuley, communications specialist mtuley@hspa.com • (317) 624-4430 Yvonne Yeadon, office manager yyeadon@hspa.com • (317) 624-4433 Shawn Goldsby, advertising coordinator sgoldsby@hspa.com • (317) 803-4772 The Indiana Publisher is published monthly by Hoosier State Press Association, 41 E. Washington St., Suite 301, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, (317) 803-4772. ISSN 0019-6711 USPS 058-730. Periodicals-class postage paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and at additional mailing office. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Indiana Publisher, 41 E. Washington St., Suite 301, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, (317) 803-4772, Fax (317) 624-4428 Website: www.hspa.com Subscriptions $25 per year. Ad rates furnished upon request. HSPA calendar June 5 Advertising Contest deadline June 18 Road Show for Reporters, Indianapolis July 24 Better Newspaper Contest deadline Sept. 17-18 Annual Conference, The Alexander Hotel, Indianapolis + Golf Outing, Indy metro area Dec. 5 Newsroom Seminar, Indianapolis Marriott North HSPA Foundation Board of Directors HSPA Foundation Officers HSPA Foundation Board of Directors HSPA Board of Directors HSPA Officers President: Jon O'Bannon, The Corydon Democrat Treasurer: Brandon Erlacher, The Elkhart Truth HSPA Board Members Robyn McCloskey, Pharos-Tribune (Logansport), Kokomo Tribune Chuck Wells, Home News Enterprises Chris White, The Times Media Co. Kim Wilson, South Bend Tribune Dailies Nondailies John Haley, Pulaski County Journal (Winamac) Don Hurd, Benton Review (Fowler) Greg Morris, IBJ Corp. President: Jack Pate, Evansville Courier & Press Vice President: Nancy Grossman, Leader Publishing Secretary: Michael J. Christman, Fort Wayne Newspapers Treasurer: Jeff Rogers, Home News Enterprises Henry Bird, Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. Curt Jacobs, The Madison Courier Barbara King, North Vernon Plain Dealer & Sun Patrick Lanman, Vevay Media Group Mayer Maloney, Hoosier Times Inc. Mark Miller, The News Banner (Bluffton) William "B.J." Riley, Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. John Rumbach, The Herald (Jasper) Madison Courier

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