MOUNT VERNON—Similar to the military’s missing man table, memorial benches honor legacies and connect people with cherished memories.
The Knox County Fairgrounds has three such benches.
The Knox County Senior Fair Board placed memorial benches in honor of three men who devoted their lives to their families, communities, and youths: Jim Shipley, Brian Durbin, and Greg Magers.
Shipley, who passed away in January 2019, had 40-plus years as a fair board director.
Fair Board Vice President Regis Fowler said Shipley “lived and breathed every facet of the fair.”
“Jim did a number of different jobs. He was president of the fair board several times. His family members supported the fair, with several of them being on the board as well.
“He’s the one who initiated the Little Miss Knox County competition. The fair was really just a big passion of his.
“He was a big fan of harness racing, which is why we have his bench on the track,” Fowler added.
Durbin served eight years as a Senior Fair Board director and was also involved with the Junior Fair Board. He passed away in November 2023.
“Brian really had a love for 4-H and FFA kids. He was also in charge of the fair safety and EMS. It spoke to something that was unique to him,” Fowler said.
Durbin’s bench sits in front of the EMS building.
Greg Magers passed away in March 2024. He had a passion for farming and was actively involved with the historical society and Knox County Agricultural Museum, serving as museum president for the last three years.
“He loved being at the fair and supporting our community youths, and especially his kids and grandkids,” Fowler said.
Magers’ bench is located on the east end of the ag museum.
Unselfish service
“None of these people wanted a lot of fanfare,” Fowler said. “They did things because they wanted to do things for the kids.”
He noted that the fair board itself is a bunch of volunteers and said that Shipley, Durbin, and Magers reflected that spirit of volunteerism.
“ Volunteerism is a thing of the past,” Fowler said. “It’s important to recognize people who give their time and dedicate their time year after year. It’s important that people know there are people who do this.”
The memorial benches, paid for by supporters of the ag museum and fair board, remind us of those who unselfishly gave and whose presence is still felt.
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