Published: November 21, 2008 12:27 am         

Family to suspend memorial service in honor of former MADD leader

An annual memorial service in Clay County that honors a couple who died in a drunken driving accident will not be conducted this year.

Each year since 1989, Bob and Jerry Lybarger have conducted a memorial service on the day after Thanksgiving to remember their parents, Herschel and Marjory, who were killed in a drunken driving crash.

The accident occurred Nov. 29, 1989 on U.S. 40 at the west edge of Brazil, the site of the memorial service.

Marilyn Peffley, former president of the Wabash Valley Mothers Against Drunk Driving chapter who died Sunday, always joined the Lybargers at the service to help remind people of the dangers of drinking and driving.

To honor her memory, the Lybarger family has decided not to conduct the service this year, Bob Lybarger said Thursday.

Peffley’s death “has been quite a blow to the community,” he said. “Everyone’s heart is heavy.” The Lybarger family plans to resume the memorial service next year, he said.

“The brothers request you keep Marilyn’s family in your prayers and that you remember to support MADD’s efforts to eliminate drunken driving,” Lybarger said.