Mayor Vonderheide stepping down
Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide announced he will resign on March 31, 2026, after seven years in the role, which he describes as “the most rewarding of my life, second only to being a husband, father and grandfather.”
Vonderheide, who said he is stepping down to focus on his health and family, announced the decision in a letter to citizens on Monday.
The mayor originally planned to retire in December 2023 at age 70 after completing his first full term, but he was “easily convinced to run for another term to see key projects through.”
“Over the years, I’ve learned that there will always be priorities and projects,” Vonderheide wriote in his resignation letter. “It would be easy to say, ‘the city needs me to finish these before I retire,’ but the truth is, it’s time to pass the torch.”
Vonderheide first entered the mayor’s office in 2018 to fill a vacancy created when then-Mayor Terry Seitz resigned to work for newly elected Senator Mike Braun, after being chosen by caucus from several candidates. He then ran for and won a full term in 2019 and was reelected in 2024.
The mayor cited his desire to turn over leadership to “individuals with the passion and energy to execute our new long-range plan and guide the city into the future.”
His tenure has included navigating significant challenges.
“Despite challenges such as the COVID pandemic, economic uncertainty, staff retirements, rising medical costs, competitive recruiting, and aging infrastructure, I found great joy in my role with the city,” Vonderheide stated.
The mayor emphasized his need to reduce work commitments to focus on personal priorities. His family “have endured long work weeks, late evenings, missed birthdays and outings so that I could serve with passion and a smile,” he wrote.
“Now, I need to focus on my health and family by reducing my work commitments,” Vonderheide explained. “My doctor, friends, and peers have all supported this decision, and I know it is the right one for me personally.”
The resignation timing allows time for a smooth transition and the selection of Jasper’s next Mayor, according to Vonderheide.
Vonderheide describes his role as mayor as fulfilling his “passion to give back to the community that I love,” comparing the position to coaching, which he calls a dream he has “lived out” through his mayoral service.
The outgoing mayor expressed gratitude to supporters who made this experience so meaningful and is committed to meeting expectations as he downshifts from his current role.
While stepping away from full-time municipal leadership, Vonderheide will remain involved in the community. “I plan to remain engaged and continue contributing to a bright future for Jasper and Dubois County,” he wrote.
Pursuant to state law, his replacement will fill out the remainder of his term after being selected by a caucus of Republican Precinct Committee members that will be convened by Amy Kippenbrock, the Dubois County Republican chair.
