New tree honors young man killed in Ohio shooting
The Butler County Children's Center will dedicate a second tree at 5 p.m. Friday in memory of Jeff Warnick, a young man with local connections who was killed during a drive-by shooting in 1993 at age 25.
His mother, June Warnick, said she was glad to see the center replace the tree that stood in her son's honor since his death.
“They didn't know Jeff,” she said. “I'm so pleased that they're doing this.”
Elisa Spadafora, CEO of the children's center, said the original tree planted in Warnick's honor was removed for safety concerns at the organization's Homewood Drive facility in Center Township.
But the once-empty space did not remain treeless for long. Last week, a local landscaping company planted a young maple.
Spadafora said the wood from the previous tree will be salvaged and transformed into planks that will be used to build a bench the center plans to install on the property. But first, she said the wood was sent to the Butler County Vocational-Technical School to be kiln-dried.
“I think it's a wonderful tribute to Jeff,” June Warnick said of the tree and bench. “It's so nice that people still remember him.”
Friday's ceremony will be followed by a short performance by preschoolers from the center's child care program. Guests are invited to honor Jeff by sharing memories.
“This was something that was very near and dear to the community. It was a cornerstone of the community,” Spadafora said. “We want to honor that and we want to respect it.”
Jeff Warnick grew up near and attended Bon Aire Elementary School. He moved to Ohio after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was killed during a road-rage, drive-by shooting that happened in Ohio.
Jeff Warnick volunteered with mentally and physically challenged children during his free time. June Warnick said her son lives on because he was an organ donor. She said a day doesn't go by when her thoughts don't drift to her son who she said grew up to be a respectable man before his death,
“He was healthy, happy, loved, popular,” June Warnick said. “Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow. I found that out.”
