State Farm celebrates joint birthday with centenarian

BELLEFONTE — About a century ago, the State Farm on Benner Pike took root. Little did the company know that along with a new business was the birth of a valued customer. Ellwood Homan was also born around the same time — June 29, 1922. He has lived in Centre County all his life.

Homan has been with State Farm since 1943 and said he has consistently had pleasant experiences with the insurance company.

“I’ve always got along fine with State Farm. I never had any problems,” said Homan.

“They always treated me fine.”

Homan almost did not join any insurance company back when he purchased his first car, a 1940 Willys, with his brother.

“Our neighbor, a good friend of ours, said, ‘You better get insurance for your car.’ And then we asked why we would do that,” said Homan.

“That’s how dumb we were.”

State Farm Insurance Agent Cindy Evcic has known Homan for a long time and said she is excited to be celebrating his 100th birthday with the company.

“For years, I’ve teased Mr. Homan that when he became 100 and State Farm was 100, that we would have a birthday party together,” said Evcic.

Along with the birthday party, which was held at the State Farm agency on Friday, June 17, Homan said has other plans with his family on his actual birthday on June 29.

“My kids are going to have a party for me for my birthday at my place down by the Pennsylvania Furnace in State College,” Homan said.

Luckily for Homan, the future of State Farm is bright. With technology constantly changing and evolving, the agents of the company continue to provide personal service that keeps customers, like Homan, coming back.

“I love relationships with people, but knowing that I’m backed by State Farm makes it very easy to have a good relationship and know that if there is a claim of something that happened, State Farm is behind me,” said Homan.

“If you take care of the people, the people will take care of you.”