ELKHART — The 160 descendents of the late Henry and Agnes Pletcher, including seven of their 14 children, celebrated their heritage with a family reunion at McNaughton Park on June 24.

The reunion began with a worship service conducted by the Rev. Tom Swank of Fort Wayne, the son in-law of one of the Pletcher siblings. Others came from as far away as Italy, California, Florida and Maine. Many had not seen each other since the last family get-together at Prairie Campgrounds in 2001. More than half the family tree were unable to attend.

Henry and Agnes Pletcher were the parents of 16 children and while two died in infancy, 14 offspring were nurtured on the family farm on C. R. 7 south of Elkhart near the Jonesville school and store. Henry died in 1954 and Agnes died in 1976.

Seven of the Pletcher kids survive. Hilda (John) Hahn of Hubbard Hill Village, the oldest, celebrated her 93rd birthday July 1.