Jane
and Elton Hummel
Dec.
31, 1971
Prior
to joining forces with the Stevens, Jane and Elton Hummel owned a very
popular sandwich business in Elkhart, IN. Elton was also a professional
barbershop quartet member. He was a member of The
Doctors of Harmony.
They won the International Championship in 1947.
Elton
and Jane Hummel began with the Stevens Puppets in 1965.
They were hired and professionally trained in performing
marionette theatre by Martin and Margi Stevens.
They
toured for Stevens Puppets for almost 4 decades.
After
the Stevens' passed away in the early 1980's, Elton and Jane
assumed the responsibility of a 50 year tradition of running
the most successful marionette company in North American history.
And run it they did!
Stevens Puppets thrived under the leadership of Elton and Jane for
the next 20 years. In 2002 the Hummels' decided to pass the torch to
Zan and Dan Raynor, (their senior puppeteers). The Raynor's moved the
headquarters to Washington DC, and have started new tours
in the Mid-Atlantic region as well as the tours in the midwest.
In
August of 2005 the world lost a great man, friend, husband and father.
Elton Hummel went to be with God. We all miss him very much.
In
August of 2006 Elton and Jane Hummel were honored at
the Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival. They performed at the
festival for over 40 years. The children's tent
is now offically named the
"Elton and Jane Hummel Children's Tent".
In
April of 2011 we lost one of the kindest, funniest, most incredibly
loving women I have ever met. Emily
"Jane" Hummel went to be with
God and to join her husband Elton Hummel in heaven. We are all going
to miss her.