Lerner Theatre in Elkhart honors Art Decio

ELKHART, Ind. – The City of Elkhart honored 90-year-old Art Decio at a ceremony on Monday by presenting him with a plaque and renaming the donor lobby at the Lerner Theatre.

Decio has spent the past 30 years donating his money to the Elkhart community and spending much of his time there.

He served as a board member for the Lerner Theatre and has donated nearly a quarter of a million dollars to help maintain and improve upon the space.

He played a significant role in renovating the Theatre from 2008 to 2011.

“You don’t expect things for yourself,” Decio said at the ceremony. “But you do expect to see your community grow. And you’re a part of it.”

“Well it’s moving in the right direction and has been for several years since I’ve been in office and mayors prior to me we have seen an increase in profit, in bookings every year," Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese said. "So every year so far seems to be a record setting year.”

Decio said the honor was unexpected.

The Lerner Theatre has earned over 500 thousand dollars since 2016 and they say most of it was donated to the community.

The plaque and name plate have been installed in the lobby of the Theatre.