The Zombie Rob Ramer of Crawfordsville celebrates after picking up a win Sunday at Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club in Lafayette. Ramer and his tag-team partner, Kenneth James, were two of the wrestlers that participated in a New Generation Wrestling benefit show to raise funds to help pay for the cremation of beloved fan Jerry Kolthoff Sr. L Purchase Image The Zombie Rob Ramer of Crawfordsville celebrates after picking up a win Sunday at Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club in Lafayette. Ramer and his tag-team partner, Kenneth James, were two of the wrestlers that participated in a New Generation Wrestling benefit show to raise funds to help pay for the cremation of beloved fan Jerry Kolthoff Sr. L / Justin L. Mack/Journal & Courier Written by Justin L. Mack Filed Under News ADVERTISEMENT An Indiana-based wrestling promotion put on a benefit show Sunday in memory and support of one of its most loyal fans. Dozens of wrestling fans of all ages packed into the Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club gym as the men and women of New Generation Wrestling hit the ropes to raise funds for Jerry Kolthoff Sr. Larry Hughes, co-owner of New Generation Wrestling, previously told the Journal & Courier that Kolthoff Sr. succumbed to prostate cancer on Jan. 4. Kolthoff Sr. had lived in Lafayette most of his life and had attended numerous wrestling matches to support his son, Jerry Kolthoff Jr., who wrestled and refereed. Kolthoff Sr. was named Man of the Year by New Generation Wrestling right before he moved to Florida. Money raised from the show will be used to cremate him and have his ashes sent to Lafayette where his family and friends will hold a memorial service. “When I said I wanted to do a benefit show, I got emails and text messages left and right from wrestlers saying they’d be happy to do it free of charge,” Kolthoff Jr. said. “I’ve been doing this for six years, and they’re like a second family to me. I’d do anything for these guys if I could.” The show began on an emotional note with Kolhtoff Jr. addressing the crowd, and everyone in the venue bowing their heads for a moment of silence during a 10-bell salute. Once underway, the wrestlers stepped into the ring and put on a show that kept the crowd hanging on the edge of every hip toss and arm drag. Good guys gave young fan high-fives while the villains hurled lighthearted insults to those sitting ringside. The crowd reciprocated, offering cheers and jeers where they were appropriate. “This is his first wrestling show and he is having a great time,” said Lafayette’s Steve Rust who brought his 5-year-old son, Ty. “We heard about it last night and came on down ... it’s a good cause.” For Kolhtoff Jr., the show was an touching event. He was overwhelmed by the show of support. “I’m just glad we had the turnout we did,” he said. “The weather scared me when I saw it this morning, but it turned out real nice.”
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:23:30 +0000
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