Editor, Times-Union: Yes, Warsaw has lost one of the “good old boys.” Dewey Lawshe lost his battle with cancer Sunday. Up to the very end Dewey was Dewey. He had the kindest heart and would go out of his way to help anyone in need.
Dewey was outspoken but, in my opinion, was one of the best city councilmen I had the opportunity to work with. He would spend his day off either riding around with the mayor or visiting various city departments. Dewey and I usually agreed upon the issues of the city because we were frugal and concerned about the taxpayers.
During Dewey’s first year on the city council he was appointed the streetlight commissioner. He always took his job seriously. He would go out in the middle of the night and drive around looking for lights that were out so he could get them replaced.
On the lighter side, Dewey would spend two weeks each year in Canada with our group bluegill fishing. Every year something would always happen to him. He was famous for losing anchors in the lake and you could count on several of them being left in Canada each year. One year he was traveling at a high rate of speed and hit a huge rock that sent his passengers flying.
Dewey was always willing to lend a helping hand. He would go out early to catch and then clean his fish. When the rest of the group came in he would always be there to help clean fish. One day Duck Downing and Fred Miller brought in 614 fish. Dewey stayed with then until after midnight helping them clean their fish. That was Dewey. If any of us were out too long, he would get in his boat and look for us. We could always spot his boat. It was bright canary yellow and when he fished he had a big umbrella out.
The stories about Dewey Lawshe are never ending. He was a great guy and will be missed by his many friends.
Jerry Patterson Warsaw City Council 1991-2011 Warsaw, via e-mail
