By: Daniel Cooley
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Third Annual Jeremiah Rios Motorcycle Run was held on June 4. The two-hour bike run began at Hudson Leather, just south of Pioneer. Rios died by suicide, on January 6, 2021, at the age of 27.
Rios was a huge motorcycle fan and got his first motorcycle at the age of 18. His last two years of high school, Rios attended Four County Career Center, where he learned how to weld.
After high school, Rios was a welder at A Stamp and later at Spangler’s.
The cost for the ride was $20 per bike. Forty bikers registered for this year’s event. There was also a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction held.
Proceeds went to Rios’ two daughters, Mila, age 7 and Aria, age 5, as well as to a person learning the trade of welding at Four County Career Center.
“The money pays for work uniforms, boots and a book bag that is full of supplies that they will need for the welding lab,” said Tina Dummitt, Rios’ mother.
The day was kicked off with a bike blessing prayer by Donny Laukhauf at 11:15 a.m., bike safety/guidelines at 11:30 a.m., a balloon release at 11:45 and the bike ride at noon.
The bike ride started at Hudson Leather, traveled south on Rte. 15, then traveled to Montpelier.
There, the bikers traveled through the Williams County Fairgrounds to the Memorial Cross, then, to the Riverside Cemetery, to pass by Rios’ tombstone.
The group then rode through Montpelier east to West Unity and then through Stryker, east on to Rte. 6 to Domersville Road, then left on River Road, to Independence Park.
The bikers then rode to the last campground in the park for a quick stopover. There, many bikers received gift certificates.
“Some got gas cards, and some got restaurant cards,” Dummitt said. “They were pretty excited. All in all, it was a good day.”
The bikers then left the campground and then took a return trip to Hudson Leather, minus going through Montpelier.
Upon return, bikers could then register to compete in a cornhole tournament, which started at 3 p.m.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com