By Michelle Donaghey Correspondent
BREMEN— On the morning of Oct. 15, 2007, Justin Feathers got up for work as he usually did, car pooling with his friend since high school, Kevin Cox, to their jobs at a metal fabricating business.
The only thing different that day was that Kevin noted that Justin had put on his nice clothes to go to work. And then when he got there, he went into the shop and fell asleep on some pallets.

“They called the ambulance and the EMTs thought he was high or something. Thank God that Kevin was adamant that something was wrong and made them take him into the hospital. There, they said he had a seizure sometime that night and that was why he was disoriented. They then did a CAT-scan and found the (brain) tumor,” noted his dad, Greg Feathers.
Justin, 24 and a 2001 Bremen High School graduate, was diagnosed with a Stage 3 Inoperable Brain Tumor.
Former classmates might remember that during his high school years, Justin loved music and wanted to do something creative and interior design.
“That didn’t do it for him, so his senior year he started going to the Elkhart Career Center for Body and Paint. Every year, they have a contest downstate sponsored by the VICA (Vocational and Industrial Clubs of America) and he won for Body and Paint, receiving a scholarship for WYO-Tech and went to Wyoming for schooling,” noted the proud dad, who said that Justin is now is helping his brother, Jason, “customize” his truck. He is also working on his mini-three motorcycle he hopes to ride at the Bike (motorcycle) Run and Benefit for him set for Sept. 6.
“Our objective is to raise enough money to help him to cover his co-pays and to live relatively normally. He still lives on his own, but cannot work or drive,” said Greg, who said that Justin “has a good positive mental attitude and still has plans for the future.”
When Justin was first diagnosed, doctors noted that surgery was not an option and he was put on chemo and radiation therapy for three months. He is currently on oral chemo which will last for at least another year. He has about $75 a month to live on every month after his medical bills, medicine and rent. “They say his social security is too much for him to receive food stamps,” said Greg.
The motorcycle event fundraiser was the idea of a close friend of the family, Mike Frederick, who came up with the idea because he was a member of ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) and he cared about Justin. He also lined up the bands and the PA system before he tragically died in an accident recently. The run will be dedicated to Frederick “for all his hard work” at the request of Justin.
The run will be starting at Wideguys Bar and Grill on Sample Street in South Bend. Sign in will start at 11 a.m. and the run will leave around 12 or 12:30 p.m. The benefit event will start at 2 p.m. with food served until 10 p.m. Bands performing at the location include OSLO and Sick Face. Food and drink are included in the price of the ticket with free draft beer served until 7 p.m. Games will include horse shoes, cornhole, game tables, tip boards and 50/50 drawings. (Must be 21 to participate in Bike Run and no carry-in alcohol.)
Mom, Lori DeBuano, noted that Justin is doing “very well” keeping busy helping others in whatever ways he can include helping his brother as well as working on small remodeling projects in his small apartment.