Officials pay tribute to Lasater with dedication of fairgrounds grandstand in her name

David Penticuff, Muncie Star Press
Updated ·2 min read

MUNCIE, Ind. − Amid occasional tears and occasional summer showers, scores of current and past public officials went to the Delaware County Fairgrounds Saturday to dedicate the grandstand to the late Jane Lasater.

"She cared about everybody and you know it," said County Commissioner James King, one of several public officials who spoke at the ceremonies before a green and white sign was unveiled at the west end of the grandstand, which lies on the north end of the fairgrounds.

Commissioners had voted earlier this year to name the grandstand in Lasater's honor.

The 2023 Delaware County Fair began last week and several colleagues recalled Lasater's many hours working at the fairgrounds.

On Saturday the grandstand at the Delaware County Fairgrounds was named in honor of the late Jane Lasater, who spent decades in local elected office and also on the Fair Board of directors prior to her death in April.
On Saturday the grandstand at the Delaware County Fairgrounds was named in honor of the late Jane Lasater, who spent decades in local elected office and also on the Fair Board of directors prior to her death in April.

Officials said she loved the fair, the 4-H participants and the county. When she died in April, Lasater was in her ninth year serving on the Delaware County Council. Prior to her service with the council, she had served eight years as county recorder, eight years as county auditor and six years as county treasurer.

A rural Albany resident, Lasater also served as a voting member of the Delaware County Fair Board for many years.

Melanie Marshall, former Delaware County treasurer and daughter of Lasater, spoke of her mother's "lipstick kisses" that will be missed.

Melanie Marshal, former Delaware County Treasurer and daughter of the late Jane Lasater, right, comforter County Council President Jessica Piper at the dedication of the grandstands at the county fairgrounds in honor of Lasater, a longtime public official in the county. Shannon Henry, president of the county commissioners, looks on.
Melanie Marshal, former Delaware County Treasurer and daughter of the late Jane Lasater, right, comforter County Council President Jessica Piper at the dedication of the grandstands at the county fairgrounds in honor of Lasater, a longtime public official in the county. Shannon Henry, president of the county commissioners, looks on.

County Council President Jessica Piper spoke of her affection for Lasater and was overcome with emotion.

The sign bearing her name was unveiled to applause from the crowd, which included city officials in addition to those from the county.

And state government had a representative as well.

State Rep. Scott Alexander, R-Muncie, who had worked with with Lasater when the two served on county council together, told the crowd they could memorialize the public servant by following her example.

"Be a little nicer," he said. "Be a little more helpful. Be a little more like Jane."

David Penticuff is a reporter with The Star Press. He can be contacted at dpenticuff@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Fairgrounds grandstand officially named in honor of Lasater