Eaton created Napoleon Community Rural Water Corp.
(FORT WAYNE, Ind.) – A Napoleon couple is the namesake of a new award given out by the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water.
Gene and Sharon Eaton are longtime residents of Ripley County.
Gene established the Napoleon Community Rural Water Corporation in 1976 and has served as the superintendent since 1992.
“What started as a mission to serve 100 customers with 6 miles of water mains has now grown to encompass over 220 miles of infrastructure, reaching 1,600 customers, many of whom benefitted from Gene’s personal touch and commitment,” said Alliance of Indiana Rural Water Executive Director Kristin Bean.
The organization is also honoring his wife, Sharon, for her support over the years. The couple has been married since 1963 and remain a pillar in the Napoleon community.
“Beyond his dedication to rural water, Gene served as Chief of the Napoleon Volunteer Fire Department for an impressive 26 years,” the organization added.
Gene is a 1960 graduate of Napoleon High School and served in the Navy. He has been involved with the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water since 1988.
The Alliance of Indiana Rural Water has established the inaugural Gene & Sharon Eaton Rural Excellence Award.
They announced it at their annual fall conference in Fort Wayne and the award recognizes those who exemplify exceptional dedication and excellence in service to rural Indiana communities.
