GREENFIELD — Smiles, laughter and a few tears filled the Annex building as friends, family and coworkers came together to celebrate a total of almost 70 years of service to Hancock County between two women — Janice Silvey and Cathy Engleking.
On Dec. 20, a retirement party was thrown for Silvey who has worked multiple jobs for the county for 46 years, and Engleking, who has worked as head cashier for the county for 23 years.
Silvey started working for the county right out of high school and started as a cashier, then a bookkeeper, and held treasurer positions for the county for a total of four terms.
Engleking started her journey full-time in 2001 and is retiring from her role as head cashier. Before that, Engleking worked part time for five years, driving her bus routes and coming in the office to work in between shifts.
When Silvey became treasurer for her first term, she was the one who hired Engleking.
“Her and Phyllis Vest, they were my treasure people … my bosses, and they were very good bosses,” Engleking said.
What started out as just coworkers, Silvey said, became friendship throughout the years, and they both plan to continue to stay close and plan excursions and get together.
When thinking about the future, Silvey said she will miss working with the people and customers that surround her.
“You know, some of them are brand new and some of them have been with us a long time,” Silvey said. “That’s what I’ll miss the most — the people.”
Engleking said as she teared up that she’ll miss the people and customers as well, but also the joy of coming in after a weekend to share what they all did the past two days.
Silvey and Engleking sat together and watched as a slideshow of photos captured moments throughout their years working, something that was a surprise at the party.
Jane Klemme, current treasurer, said that she had met Silvey when she had moved to Greenfield more than 20 years ago and had gotten to know both Silvey and Engleking working together. Klemme said that between the two of them, there is 70 years of experience walking out the door.
Klemme, along with Phyllis Vest and girls from the treasurer’s office, recorder’s office and auditor’s office, helped put together the two-hour celebration that had punch, cake and other snacks to choose from.
“We all work closely together upstairs so we’re all very close,” Klemme said.
Klemme said that with their knowledge, being able to work with and serve the public has been so much easier, and that next year will be different without them.
“They’ll be tremendously missed,” Klemme said.
Silvey currently is the chair of the Hancock County Republican Party and plans to finish out her term. She said that she really appreciates everything that was done at the party and that she could feel the love in the room.
Engleking smiled at Silvey and agreed.
“Ditto.”
