H&R Agri-Power Company honored

Special awards were presented to H&R Agri-Power and employees for their part in life-saving efforts made during the 2026 snow event which dumped some 15 inches over the tri-state area. Pictured in front, l to r, are: American Legion Post 278 Vice Commander David Morlock, H&R Agri-Power Store Manager Ryan Kerney, American Legion Post 278 Member Patricia Gatewood, Artie Gatewood, H&R Wholegoods Salesman Andrew Cumbee, and American Legion Post 278 Commander Steven Williams. In back: Sons of the American Legion Post 278 Mission Coordinator and H&R Service Technician Bryce Dyehouse and American Legion Post 278 Member Harris Redfield. Photo by Theresa Bratcher

By Dave Pearce

Don’t think you were the only person snowed in when the 15-inch snowfall came earlier this year. And believe it or not, there were some people who needed to get out a whole lot worse than you.

Arnie Gatewood began having some health problems while the roads were basically impassible. His wife, Patricia was trying everything she knew to get help for him to get him to the hospital.

“We live up a gravel drive out in the middle of the country around Stewartsville,” She explained. “We were very concerned about how we would ever be able to get him to the emergency room. I called Steve Williams, our commander, and he started reaching out to some resources.”

Thankfully, there were several folks Williams knew who work regularly with H&R Agri-Power and they were happy to get the process in motion. In steps the local farm implement company.

“It was a major, major blessing,” Patricia said. “I was becoming very scared that I was going to lose my husband.”

“I took the call from Bryce Dyehouse (an H&R employee and member of the Sons of the Legion in Poseyville) and found out we had some folks who were in need,” explained store manager Ryan Kerney.”“They needed to get dug out of the snow and at that time, while some of us were getting out to check on the roads and get the store lot cleared off, most of our guys were off and at home just waiting for the roads to get cleared off.”

That was not going to be an easy feat considering most of the area had received in excess of a foot of snow that was blowing and drifting. However, Kerney and his store staff found a way.

“We just happened to have a person in the area,” Kerney explained. “He (store salesperson Andrew Cumbee) was at the store clearing off the lot with a big loader. It’s a sizeable front loader so we thought on it for just a minute but it really didn’t take much thought. It was a no-brainer.”

Cumbee then braved the roads and got there and did whatever they were able to do to help neighbors in need. Besides, the Gatewoods have been long-time friends and customers of H&R and even JL Farm Equipment prior to it becoming H&R Agri-Power.

“He hopped back in it (the loader) and took it up the road to Stewartsville and was able to dig them out fairly quickly from the sound of it,” a smiling Kerney explained. “It was a very fortunate situation that everything fell like it did. Thanks to the good Lord, we take the breaks when we get them. Praise God it was a beautiful thing at the end of it.”

“We do a lot of their lawnmower service and maintenance,” Kerney said. “It’s interesting to kind of connect the dots and realized we were able to be of service to them outside turning wrenches on lawnmowers.”

Poseyville American Legion Post Commander Steve Williams was on hand Friday afternoon at H&R Agri-Power when certificates of honor were presented to the people who helped get the family out so they could get to a hospital.

“We are happy to meet today with H&R Agri-Power to present them with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Post for helping one of our Legionnaires and his spouse when he had some cardiac/health issues during the big storm last month,” Williams explained. “They were gracious enough to get us some equipment to get them out so they could get to the emergency room.”

“This is just another example of the type of community we have here,” Kerney said. “When someone needs help, we all try to find a way to make it happen. This time it was our turn.”