CHAPTER VI
LEVELS OF TIME
1937-1974


The new lodge hall gave impetus to a greater interest and more spirited activity of the Masonic Lodge work at Providence. The Lodge membership grew rapidly. Each year an average of ten or more new members were initiated, and that is a high average for a small rural community. Each time of lodge inspection the lodge was complimented on its proficiency in presenting the three degrees. Many new improvements have been made to the building and equipment. A new oil furnace, air conditioning, new kitchen equipment, tables, chairs, lodge hall equipment, room decoration, beautification of the yard, and enlargement of the parking area were a few of the changes that have added to better service in this lodge community. In August, 1973 new carpeting was purchased for the entire second floor. In April of 1953 Brother William S. LaFollette, Worthy Grand Patron of the Indiana Grand Chapter of Eastern Star, came to Providence to inspect the lodge room and basement rooms of the Masonic Hall. He was welcomed by an interested group of officers and members of Union Village Lodge No. 545 and Eastern Star members who were desirous of organizing a chapter. Fifty petitioners signed a petition to organize the new chapter. Many others wished to sign the petition but the number could not exceed fifty. On July 10, 1953, Brother LaFollette granted a dispensation to Union Village Chapter under Dispensation: 
The petitions recommended--
	Dorothy Hamilton ........................................Worthy Matron
	Joseph Byers ............................................Worthy Patron
	Lillian Parmerlee ....................................Associate Matron
	Marion Parmerlee .....................................Associate Patron
These officers were approved by the Worthy Grand Patron for the new Union Village Chapter No. 584.
The other officers were--
	Rachael Simpson .............................................Secretary
	Mary T. Utterback ...........................................Treasurer
	Eva Mae Hamilton ..........................................Conductress
	Josephine Byers .................................Associate Conductress
	Mary Hendricks ...............................................Chaplain
	Phyllis Kelso .................................................Marshal
	Wreatha Thompson .............................................Organist
	Pauline Clem .....................................................Adah
	Norma Deer .......................................................Ruth
	Alice Mason ....................................................Esther
	Rosalynn McClain ...............................................Martha
	Liddie Ashley ..................................................Electa
	Rosemary Deer ..................................................Warder
	Robert Kelso .................................................Sentinel
	Jean Utterback ...............................................Prompter
	Marie Burkhart ................................................Soloist
The Eastern Star Charter was presented to the Chapter on May 10, 1954, by the Worthy Grand Patron, Brother Justin F. Graves, assisted by Daisy M. Crist, Grand Secretary. The membership had grown in the first ten months to ninety-nine. The Masonic brothers realized there would have to be added equipment and furnishings for the chapter. Through their contributions a bank account was established in the name of the chapter to take care bf all necessary expenses.


A KEY TO OUR SUCCESS--
SECRETARY G. MARVIN MERRIMAN

The secretary of any organization, and more particularly of a Masonic Lodge, is the most important key to success or failure in its development and orderly growth. His proficiency in his duties of recording and reporting lodge activities to the Grand Secretary, etc., must stand at the top of all Masonic endeavors. Union Village Lodge is blessed with such a devoted Mason and Past Master.

G. Marvin Merriman has been secretary of Union Village Lodge since January, 1942. He has been outstanding in the performance of his duties. He was well trained for this job by serving in all the offices of the lodge leading up to this position. He served in the top position of Worshipful Master in the year 1937. A review of his work as Secretary shows that the minutes of every meeting are complete in detail, neat in appearance and composed in a way that gives the reader a clear picture of what transpired. He has a natural gift of transcribing clearly, concisely and accurately the business transacted.

In 1967 on the 25th consecutive year of his service as secretary the Past Masters who served with him during the preceding years planned a special meeting and a special program to honor him. This meeting was held in the lodge hall and Most Worshipful Grand Master, Joseph L. Bridwell of Franklin, Indiana, gave an inspiring tribute and presented Brother Merriman an award on behalf of the Past Masters and the present Lodge officers for his meritorious service.

This writer, in a conversation with Grand Lodge Secretary, the Honorable Dwight L. Smith, in June of 1972 was told that our Brother G. Marvin Merriman was rated as one of the best lodge secretaries in the State of Indiana. Thus it is most fitting that we pay him just honors and recognition in this brief history of our Lodge.

HONOR ROLL OF WORLD WAR II


Many of our Masons of Union Village Lodge served their country with honor in World War II. The following list of names may be incomplete due to the inability of the committee to find the facts.

Lydle Taylor Barnett
Ralph Emory Barnett
William Layton Barnett
Richard Brown Blackwell
Charles Gregory Dickerson
Ray Willie Dunn
Nelson Eugene Flake
James Addison Foxworthy
Kenneth Glidden
Conrad F. Hamilton
Delbert Henderson
Paul Shaley Mellish
William Earl Mericle
Joseph Richard McClung
Benjamin G. Paris
Lawrence B. Paris
Chester Pierce
Harold L. Rivers
Ralph Rund
Otto Junior Sloop
Russell Raymond Straley
Maurice R. Utterback
Robert Allen Vaughn
Many other brethren who joined the Lodge after World War II also have served their country with honor in other conflicts in the Korean and Vietnam theatres. In fact, from the beginning of our nation and starting with General George Washington, a Mason and our first president, Masons have played a big part in fighting for their country to help preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today. With unity and loyalty of purpose, thousands of our Masonic brethren lost their lives on many battlefields around the world. We reverently salute those Masons who made the supreme sacrifice and in this brief tribute thank God for the loyalty and service of all.

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Last update November 9, 1999.