Mitchell D. "Mitch" Terpstra, 49, of Otterbein, IN, died at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2004 in Green Hill Manor Nursing Home, Fowler. He had been battling Multiple Sclerosis for many years. He was born Sept. 27, 1954 in Rensselaer, Indiana. He was a 1972 graduate of Kankakee Valley High School (DeMotte) where he was Boys State Delegate his junior year. National Honor Society president and Letterman's Club vice president his senior year. He was named All Conference in football his junior and senior years. He later earned his Bachelors of Arts in Education from Hanover College in 1976. While at Hanover, he played football for two years and rugby in the following years. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and was elected president his senior year. After graduation from Hanover, he earned his Masters of Science degree from Purdue in 1982 and over the years had finished an additional 15 hours of graduate study. Mr. Terpstra began his teaching and coaching career at Benton Central Jr./Sr. High School in 1976. In 1984 he married Susan Elizabeth Middleton. They later divorced but remained close. He taught 8th grade and general science for 22 years and taught at the alternative school in Fowler for one year before retiring due to disability in 1998. While at Benton Central, Mr. Terpstra coached football and wrestling at all levels. He was named head varisity football coach in 1985 and held the position for eight seasons before resigning to spend more time with his family. He was head varsity wrestling coach for four seasons and was named Hoosier Conference Coach of the Year in 1983. He was an IHSAA licensed official in football, wrestling, track, cross country and baseball and belonged to the Western Indiana Officials Association. He officiated baseball from the time he was 18 and was considered by many as "one of the best" baseball umpires in the State of Indiana. On October 17, 2003 he was honored by the Benton Central Athletic Boosters with the prestigious Bison Pride Award for his many years of Dedicated service to the Students of Benton Central. Mitch loved his daily interactions with students in the classroom and the locker room. He also thrived on the "love of the game". As his sons were growing up, he coached them and their friends in Peanut Baseball, Youth Basketball and Little Gridiron Football. In his early years as a Fowler resident he attended and taught Bible School at Fowler United Methodist Church. After marrying and moving to Otterbein, he became a member of and taught Jr./Sr. High Sunday School class at Otterbein United Methodist Church. Surviving are his two sons Brodie and Blair Terpstra who reside with their mother Susan E. (Rick) White in Rural West Lafayette, IN; his brother Scott Terpstra (wife Vickey) of Crown Point and his mother Joyce (Boender) Terpstra of DeMotte. Mitch is also survived by many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends. Preceding him in death is his father, Marvin Terpstra. Friends may call 2 to 9 p.m Sunday, April 25th, at Otterbein United Methodist Church. Services there 11 a.m. Monday, April 26, 2004, The Rev. David Smitley will officiate. Interment to follow in Holland Cemetery.