Downtown Christmas Tree dedicated to Kirby Lyons

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(Gaylen Blosser photo)

GREENVILLE—Christmas is underway in the City of Greenville. The Downtown Christmas Tree has arrived and was lighted as the Tree Lighting after the conclusion of the Downtown Horse Parade.

The tradition is now in its fourth year. It began when a community member, funeral Service Director, and Owner of Tribute Funeral Home, Eric Fee spoke with city officials and decided to start the newly favorite community tradition in honor of his mother.

Fee wanted a way to dedicate something to his mother who had passed and knew that his mother would love this dedication in the community. The first year was dedicated to his mother, Barbara Fee who dedicated her life to serving in her community.

Each year the tree is dedicated to a special person in the community who has served in different ways. This year, the tree was dedicated to Kirby Lyons. 

Kirby was a very well-known auctioneer from Greenville, Ohio who always gave back to the community in any way he could. He was a native of Hillgrove where he graduated from Mississinawa Valley High School. He was a hard worker and put everything into his auctioneering business. He was also known for never asking his employees to do something he wouldn’t do himself. 

“We are truly blown away by the amount of outpouring love and support we still receive daily about our Dad. It’s a true testament to the kind of man he was and how many lives he touched. He was a simple, hard-working man with a giant heart. We couldn’t be more proud to be his family,” Kirby’s daughter, Heather Werner said.

Mark & Lisa Spille Christmas Tree Donation

 The tree this year came from the Spille Family who generously donated it. Mark Spille shared that the tree was nearly 34 years old. He’s excited that the City gets the joy of having it as their Christmas Tree as well. 

“We built our home back in 1990 and we needed some landscaping,” said Spille. “We went and bought a small blue spruce tree. That year we used it as our Christmas tree and then after Christmas we planted it.”

Many local businesses are responsible for ensuring that the Community Christmas Tree remains a tradition due to their generous contributions. 

The tree is in downtown Greenville just south of Broadway across from YOLO Park. 

“This is once again, a great addition to the Christmas season. The community comes together with local businesses. The community has been a crucial part of this each year. Darke County is a great place. Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen,” said Fee.