Persings Named 2026 Grand Marshals of Apple Festival
Published: Friday, September 11, 2026
The Nappanee Apple Festival has announced that Rick and Donna Persing will serve as grand marshals of the Apple Festival parade on Sept. 19.
For more than 50 years, the Persings have dedicated their lives to serving the Nappanee community through business, volunteerism, their church and numerous civic organizations. Donna, a native of Fostoria, Ohio, and Rick, who grew up in Ohio and Pennsylvania, met while attending Mount Vernon Nazarene College in 1974 and married the following year. They moved to Nappanee in 1975, where Donna worked at Harding's Grocery Store and Rick joined his father's business at ELCO Manufacturing. In 1980, Persing & Co. Inc. was established, and Rick became its owner in 1989. In 2002, Rick and Donna opened Persing Tire & Auto Care Inc. Together, they built successful businesses, and in their retirement, continue their service to the community.
Donna and Rick have three children—Tami, Shawn and Brea—and six grandchildren, who remain one of their greatest joys. They enjoy traveling to support their grandchildren at sporting events throughout the year.
Service has always been central to the Persings' lives. Since joining Nappanee Missionary Church in 1982, Donna has faithfully served in the 2-year-old class. Rick serves as an usher, and together they are active members of the Acts 29 Sunday School Class. They have also participated in mission trips around the world.
Donna has served as a member and treasurer of the Nappanee Kiwanis since 2007. She previously was Indiana state president of Psi Iota Xi and currently serves as treasurer of both the Nappanee Quilt Garden Committee and the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce. Her involvement with the Nappanee Apple Festival began in the mid-1980s as a volunteer before joining the Core Committee in the 1990s. She co-directed the 1999 Apple Festival and has served as festival director since 2016. Donna has also been the voice of NorthWood High School swimming for 33 years and regularly works at NorthWood athletic events.
Rick has likewise dedicated countless hours to serving the community. He has been an active member of both the Nappanee Morning and Noon Kiwanis Clubs, serving as president of the Noon Club. He has also held several leadership positions with the Elkhart County Beagle Club and the United Beagle Gun Dog Federation.
Return to Top of Page