Legacy of Culver Service Continues

Trone Family Fund

When it comes to knowing Culver history, Pete Trone’s reputation is legendary. His family connection to the area began over a century ago. And Pete and his wife Bev, like their predecessors, have been deeply involved in the community.

Those Who Came Before

Around the turn of the century the Peter B. Trone family of Indianapolis arrived at the Vandalia station in Culver for a vacation on Lake Makinkuckee. Going by boat to the southeast side of the lake, they felt isolated without any convenient transportation. The next summer they decided they would have their own horse and buggy. It was ten year old Donaldson G. Trone that drove the buggy the 110 miles from Indianapolis. He, along with a buddy, made the trip in three days meeting his parents when they arrived on train.

As the years passed, Don Trone decided he would one day own a home on the lake. After World War I, he had saved enough to put a down payment on a cottage. So it was In February 1923, that he began what would be almost 50 years as an active member of the Culver community. In 1927 he married Almeda Daum. While they continued to reside in Indianapolis, they opened the cottage early in the spring and closed it in the fall. The Trones had one son Pete, who also spent his early summers on the lake.

In 1949, having tired of the many trips to and from Indianapolis, the Trones made Culver their permanent home. They purchased a building on Main Street and opened the Don Trone Shop, a ladies wear and gift shop. When Don passed away in 1970, his wife operated the store until it closed in 1978.

Don Trone had a deep interest in the preservation and orderly development of the lake and community. He served as president of the East Shore Lane Neighborhood Association; as president and secretary treasurer of the of the Lake Maxinkuckee Association which he helped found; and was active in the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club and Maxinkuckee Yacht Club.

Don’s son, Pete, had watched with his family as the south shore of Lake Maxinkuckee began to develop into ‘a nice residential area’ following World War II. The Culver Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and Culver Academy explored the idea of comprehensive planning for the area. A planning committee was formed and the first comprehensive plan was adopted by the town of Culver in 1959. In those days, the concept was still new. Similar Indiana communities in areas such as Lakes Wawasee, James and Tippecanoe were pursuing plans with a concerted effort to incorporate lakes into local comprehensive planning. Don Trone and Eli Lilly from Wawasee successfully lobbied the state legislature to create an act to permit planning that would incorporate and recognize the unique features of lake communities.

Legacy Continues

Pete began as a Woodcraft counselor in 1949. After serving in the military, he returned to Culver in 1953. He was a graduate of the Culver Naval School and worked year round in summer admissions at Culver Military Academy until 1977. He was also Director of the Woodcraft Camp from 1968-1977.

Pete and Bev married in 1974 and have always been active in the community. It’s clear that Pete shared his father’s passion for community development. Pete was an original member and President of Culver’s first Plan Commission and continued to serve for 34 years on planning and zoning boards. He was also involved with Culver’s Chamber of Commerce, Antiquarian and Historical Society, Culver-Union Township Library Board, the East Shore Lane Neighborhood Association and Lake Maxinkuckee Association. Pete is a member of the Wythougan Valley Preservation Council and is also a member and past president of the Marshall County Historical Society. Both Pete and his wife are members of the Maxinkuckee Yacht Club. Bev was a member of the library staff at Culver Academies and a dedicated member of Kappa Kappa Kappa.

The Trone Family Fund was established in 1997 by Pete and Bev and provides them the flexibility to choose which organizations or causes they wish to support with the annual distribution from the fund. The decision is one they discuss carefully since they have so many special interests. Their donor advised fund is a wonderful way for the Trones to continue their legacy of service to the Culver community and make a difference now and for future generations too.