Caretaker sowed wheat in Marion County Lake
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
John Waner became superintendent of Marion County Park and Lake in 1956. He succeeded the first superintendent, Jerry Mullikin, who served as caretaker from the time the lake was established in 1939.
Waner came on board following six years of drought. He said the north 60 acres of the lake was dried up and full of 15-foot-tall weeds.
He received permission from county commissioners to sow wheat in the lake bed using his own equipment and seed.
"That was the most beautiful field of wheat I have ever seen," the 89-year-old man recalled.
He looked forward to a bountiful harvest, but three days before it was set to begin, seven inches of rain fell, and the lake once again was full of water.
Although little grain was harvested, Waner said, the wheat was good for the lake. It stabilized the bottom and provided food for fish and ducks.
Waner and his wife, Irma, operated the lake office from April 1956 until September 1964.
Son John Jr. was away from home by then, but younger sons Larry and Gene helped with the work.
"At that time, there were very few lakes in the state," Waner said, "so people came from all over."
Prior to taking the job as caretaker, Waner operated a farm southeast of the lake. He left the caretaker job and engaged in law enforcement for 17 years before retiring in 1981.
The Waners retired to their home at Marion County Lake. Irma died in 2001. John continues to enjoy fishing. He takes care of a large yard and also maintains a small garden.
He has six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was surprised Sept. 25, the day before his 89th birthday, when 35 family members gathered to help him celebrate his birthday and present him with a plaque honoring his more than eight years as lake superintendent.
The bronze plaque was installed on the back of the stone base of the Marion County Lake sign at Upland and Lakeshore Drive.
Waner was overwhelmed by the gesture.
"It was a complete surprise," he said. "I wasn't expecting it."
