John & Liz Chattin
John and Liz Chattin, graduates of Shoals High School, are lifelong residents of Martin County. John grew up along the White River and Liz says, “He knows every inch of it. If there is a change in the ripple, John is able to pick up on it.” They both worked locally; John worked at National Gypsum and the Martin County Highway Department and Liz at NSWC Crane. In their free time, John and Liz enjoy traveling and have been to over forty states thus far. When they are not traveling, John is an avid gardener and extremely generous with the bounties of his garden. He is always prepared to help anyone who needs it. Liz participates on multiple boards across the county. Martin County and its foundation hold a special place in the Chattins’ hearts. Their continuous work within the community goes unspoken too often.
Liz became a board member of the Martin County Community Foundation (MCCF) in 2014. She served as the MCCF Board President as well as President of the Community Foundation Partnership. She also serves on the Shoals Public Library Board of Trustees. She has served this board for over eight years and held a secretary position for four of them. What motivates her to serve our county as graciously as she does is purely the fact that she wants to see Martin County kept up and she envisions their good deeds making a lasting impression. Improvements to the county are needed far and wide, but Liz believes they are in reach and strives to keep Martin County’s reputation at an all-time high.
John worked many 7-day weeks during his 32 years of employment leaving him with very little free time. He is, however, a very giving and unselfish man. Several years ago, John received a civilian meritorious award from the Indiana State Police Commissioner and an Outstanding Citizen Award from the Martin County Sheriff's Department for going above and beyond in the lifesaving rescue of a man that had fallen from a railroad bridge into the cold, high waters of the White River. When John heard of the incident, he was able to get his boat running, find the worker in the water, and carry him to safety. This is one of multiple saves John has performed over the years. As stated earlier, “John knows every inch of the river”, and the county is beyond grateful that he does.
Martin County has been good to John and Liz, and they built a beautiful life here. As a result, they wanted to do something to give back to their community. Having seen first-hand the value of permanent endowments through Liz’s work on the MCCF Board, John and Liz decided to establish a fund that would benefit charitable causes locally, now and in the future. The John T. and Elizabeth J. Chattin Community Fund is a permanent endowment that will help meet the ever-changing community needs that often cannot be anticipated at the time a gift is made. This unrestricted fund is a way the Chattin’s can watch the county stay kept up and thriving. By starting the fund now, they will be able to watch their fund grow and positively impact the community they love. Their fund helps leave a legacy within the Chattin family name. Their efforts and donations toward our beloved community are something we, as a community, will cherish forever.