This article was taken from the Voice
- By Emily Pauling epauling@medianewsgroup.com
-
A park in China Township has been renamed after Mitch and Rosella Yax, two local residents who touched the hearts of many.
The decision to dedicate and rename the park was made by a formal vote of the China Township Board of Trustees at a public meeting.
In June, the family of Mitch and Rosella Yax gathered at the park, along with board members and the China Township Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, to celebrate the dedication and renaming of the park to the China Township Mitch and Rosella Yax Memorial Park.
The park’s new sign and a memorial garden with a plaque were also unveiled.
Mitch and Rosella Yax lived next door to the township’s existing township hall and property, China Township Supervisor Linda Schweihofer said. For many years, Rosella Yax was the town’s maintenance person, caretaker and one of the people instrumental in the early days of the origination of the park. Mitch Yax would often be by her side with the opening and closing of the park.
“She knew everyone in the township and (was a) friend to many,” Schweihofer said. “She was the town crier. She could tell you when a baby was born and when a beloved neighbor had passed. She was a dear friend to me personally and would greet me each day at the township with news that she thought would be of help to me as supervisor.”
The memorial garden and plaque was an Eagle Scout project undertaken by Boy Scout Sully Smith, which earned him his Eagle Scout status.
The plaque reads: “In Memory of Mitch and Rosella Yax, Whose Heart and Soul are in Every Fiber of this Park.”
“China Township was grateful that he chose this project to honor Mitch and Rosella Yax,” Schweihofer said.
Mitch and Rosella Yax’s family members recognized the couple’s connection to the township.
“They loved the park and the township, and the family is glad the township ended up with the house and property,” their son Andy Yax said. “They are buried in the township cemetery, so they will be overlooking the whole place. I am sure they are pleased.”
“They were very dedicated and committed to the township and loved taking care of parks,” their daughter Roseanne added.
Schweihofer, the board members present and the China Township Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee all spoke kind words on behalf of Mitch and Rosella Yax and their commitment and love of the township.
Emily Pauling is a staff writer for The Voice. She can be contacted at 586-273-6200 or epauling@medianewsgroup.com.
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