2018 Raymon Hall of Fame Pic
Raymon Eikenberry was born in June 1956 to Bryce & Dorothy Eikenberry. He grew up with 3 brothers on a farm northwest of Flora where his family raised corn, hogs and cattle. Farming has been a way of life in his family for generations. His grandfathers, father and 3 older brothers have all farmed in Carroll County. Raymon attended Camden Elementary School and graduated from Delphi Community High School in 1974. In 1977 he completed a short course in agriculture at Purdue University. In 1978, he married Janet Brenneman, who became his partner in the farming operation.
From the time Raymon was 12 years old he helped area farmers such as Jess and Charles Yeager baling straw and cleaning feed lots. In the summer and after school he worked for Maurice Robeson. Upon graduating from high school he continued to work for Maurice until the summer of 1984. Maurice was a good mentor and gave Raymon time to pursue and expand his own farming operation.
In 1977 Raymon crop shared his grandpa’s 30 acre farm and that was the start he needed to help launch his own operation. At the same time, Jesse Endress gave him the opportunity to start finishing feeder pigs. Jesse provided the barn, Raymon supplied the labor and a great friendship and mentoring relationship was formed. Raymon continued adding rented acres to his operation and in 1988 he was able to purchase his first 55 acre farm. As the farming operation grew, Raymon hired Mark Frey to help with farming and to drive a semi hauling slats for Brim Concrete. In 1992, Raymon & Janet started Eikenberry Trucking to haul freight for Indiana Packers under the guidance and management of John Archibald. As the trucking company grew they added Eikenberry Service & Repair to their operation. Scott Hartman was hired to run the repair company and became an integral part of the farming operation as well. Raymon has enjoyed friendships and working relationships with many area farmers and business owners as his operation has grown into a multi-county operation.
Raymon has been active in the Carroll County Ag Association since its inception and has served as a Board member since 2013.
Raymon & Janet are blessed with 3 children. Melissa (Dustin) Hill of Lafayette, Kristina (Chris) Peterson of Cutler and son Derek residing in Flora. They have 10 grandchildren and the oldest grandsons are now helping with the farming operation. Melissa is currently helping with office management. Son-in-law, Chris, is the Vice President and daily operations manager for Eikenberry Trucking. Chris also helps with planting and harvest. Derek is currently the Assistant Chief for the Flora Volunteer Fire Department and also has his own farming operation. He helps with all aspects of the daily operations of both farm organizations.
Raymon & Janet attend Victory in Christ Fellowship in Flora and praise the Lord for the many blessings He has provided.
March 06, 2018 08:33 am |
