A new endowment fund will benefit the community for generations to come, in memory of a person who gave so much to the community herself. The Devonnia Tscheulin Memorial Fund honors the legacy of a mother, wife, daughter, and friend.
Devonnia Kate Sears grew up in Salem with her two older brothers, Jared and Jonathan. She was very close to her parents, Joe and Shirley, talking to them every single day even as an adult. She liked adventure from a young age, even learning to ride her bike with no training wheels at just over two years old. She enjoyed playing her fiddle growing up, and had a strong work ethic even as a child, throwing hay and hanging tobacco. She enjoyed attending concerts with Jared, breaking horses for her dad and going on family vacations. She graduated from Salem High School in 2007.
Devonnia was introduced to the public servant world when her brother Jonathan asked her to take an EMT class when she was 19. She successfully became a nationally-registered EMT and several years later, an Intermediate EMT. She then attended The Pelham Training Institute in Bloomington and became a paramedic.
Devonnia met her husband, Mike Tscheulin, in the back of an ambulance while treating a patient. Mike had served as a police officer at the time. They were married Aug. 7, 2010. Devonnia enjoyed Civil War reenactments, riding horses, Ford Mustangs and Chevy Camaros. Most of all, Devonnia loved being a mother to Chase Michael and Katie Jo. She passed away one day after giving birth to their third child, Maverick Edward, on Aug. 15, 2023.
Devonnia had worked at Stat Ambulance, Washington County Ambulance Service, King’s Daughters’ Hospital Ambulance Service, and Scott County EMS. She helped rebuild EMS services as Deputy Director and Deputy Chief, serving as a leader and mentor to many young EMTs and paramedics across the state. She saved hundreds of lives and had numerous awards for her service. “Her heart and soul was with EMS and helping students and future EMTs live their dreams in emergency services,” shared her husband Mike.
She even helped secure grant funding for the Scott County EMS, appearing before the Scott County Community Foundation’s Grants Committee last year. The efforts of Devonnia and her colleagues resulted in a grant to purchase blood analyzers. This allows EMS to shorten the time needed to identify issues on the scene and transport directly to necessary facilities. Through the Devonnia Tscheulin Memorial Fund, funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities will be made possible every year during the Community Foundation’s Community Grants Program, starting in 2026.
“Her death has left an unimaginable hole in the community and her family. I want her legacy to live on forever through the Foundation,” said Mike. “I want the citizens of Scott County to remember the sacrifices she made for her community and state for years to come. Devonnia’s legacy of helping Scott County is forever, not temporary, forever cementing her work as a public servant and in EMS.”
“When Devonnia passed away last summer, our community was devastated,” said Community Foundation Executive Director Jaime Toppe. “We hope that this memorial fund offers some comfort to her loved ones, knowing that the community will continue to benefit every year in her memory.”
Donations to the Devonnia Tscheulin Memorial Fund are currently being matched $2 for every $1 donated, through a grant opportunity from Lilly Endowment. You may donate online at the Community Foundation’s website, www.scottcountyfoundation.org, or mail to SCCF, PO Box 25; Scottsburg, IN 47170.
