5-6-2021 — Bristol Real Estate Holdings LLC is the new owner of 1.38 acres of land at the northwest corner of Bristol and Cassopolis streets in Elkhart. FM Stone’s John Letherman, CCIM, assisted in the sale. The land is expected to become a new gas station. The seller was Lakeside Bank.
Jayco Buys Middlebury Land
12-11-2019 — FM Stone Broker John Letherman, CCIM, sold 7.2 acres of land at the southeast corner of SR 13 and the I-80/90 Toll Road in Middlebury to Jayco Inc. This was the last remaining parcel on that corner that Jayco did not own. The company, which has built RVs, camping trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheels, motorhomes and toy haulers for nearly 50 years, now owns 96.27 acres of land on that southwest corner and additional land at that intersection. The seller of the land was Praful Palan Revocable Living Trust. It is expected that Jayco will most likely hold onto the land for future development opportunities.
Beds By George Moving to New Building on Caravan Drive in Elkhart
10-30-2019 — Clow Enterprises LLC is the new owner of the 5,230 SF commercial building at 219 Caravan Drive in Elkhart. This building will be the new home of Beds By George, a family owned company, started by Aaron Clow, that builds beautiful safety beds for special needs children, youth, adults, as well as handicapped, disabled and medically fragile individuals who need extra fall and entrapment protection while in bed. Beds By George will be moving from 1045 Nappanee Street in Elkhart to this new building just off the Indiana I-80/90 Toll Road exit at State Road 19. All their beds are handcrafted in Indiana. Richard Hobson represented Clow Enterprises and John Letherman, CCIM, represented the seller, Gary L. Cummins Revocable Trust in this sale.
John Letherman Honored With Sagamore of the Wabash Award
John Letherman receives The Sagamore of the Wabash Award. Pictured, from the left: Mark Dobson, State Representative Doug Miller, John Letherman and State Representative Timothy Wesco.
9-3-2019 — John Letherman, Elkhart County Councilman and Partner at FM Stone Commercial, was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award last Friday, acknowledging his 50 years of service to Elkhart County and the State of Indiana.
The surprise presentation was made by Indiana State Representative Doug Miller at Elcona Country Club in Bristol, Ind. Family and close friends surprised Letherman at a luncheon. Also in attendance was State Representative Timothy Wesco.
Commenting on the award, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said: “Few Hoosiers have given as much back to our state as John Letherman. From his military service to his success in business and his community leadership, John has continually found ways to make, not only Elkhart, but our entire state better. He is certainly worthy of this distinction and I was honored to name him a Sagamore of the Wabash.”
In comments immediately following the luncheon, Letherman said, “I sincerely thank Governor Holcomb for this honor. I have always told everyone we are all really lucky to live in Elkhart County, Indiana. People here are generally good to each other, business is appreciated by both government and the average citizen, the county is beautiful and the standard of living exceeds most other places in the U.S. It has been a real privilege to be of service in a community and state like this!”
The Sagamore of the Wabash is the highest award the Governor of Indiana can bestow to Hoosiers for distinguished service. The term sagamore was used by the American Indian Tribes of the northeastern United States to describe a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief would look for wisdom and advice. The term wabash refers to Indiana’s official state river. The award was created during the term of Indiana Gov. Ralph Gates, who served from 1945 to 1949.
Letherman is a lifelong resident of Elkhart County. In 1988, he was elected to the Elkhart County Council, he was elected Council President in 2001 and he continues to serve as Council President today. He has been involved in many community and professional activities over the years including the Elkhart County/City Planning Advisory Committee, the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County, the Michiana Area Council of Governments, the Home Builders Association of Elkhart County, the Elkhart County Symphony Society, and the 2010 Coalition. He has also been President of the US 31 Coalition and he is the Governor’s appointee to the Indiana Toll Road Oversite Board.
Letherman and his wife Dianne have been married for 54 years and have six children.
Bess Development Buys 8.34 Acres
8-14-2018 -- 8.34 acres at 2200, 2202, 2204 & 2218 Cassopolis Street in Elkhart was purchased by Bess Development LLC. The new owner plans to use the site for an investment. Brent Miller, SIOR, represented the seller, Windfall LLC, while John Letherman, CCIM, represented Bess Development in the transaction.