Adopted Families

Cora Mathiowetz

The Mathiowetz Family was our adopted family for 2022 & 2024 Vintage Torque Fest. Cora Mathiowetz was born with multiple critical heart defects which

resulted in heart surgery at only 4 days old.  After 6 weeks she was finally able to go home,  But after more complications she had to have surgery again at 5 months old.  Cora spent about 5 months of her first year in the hospital. Cora had her third open heart surgery in summer of 2024.  Her parents, Eric & Megan, along with her sisters Ava & Eliza were there to help Cora recover!  In the future Cora will most likely need a heart transplant, but we hope this will wait until adulthood. 

Ridge Carlton

The Carlton family was our adopted family for 2023 Vintage Torque Fest. Ridge Carlton was born November 4, 2022 to Justin, Koreyann, and big

brother, Cade. He was born with several severe heart defects.  These heart issues have led to complications with other vital organs. Ridge had his

second open heart surgery in February of 2024. The surgery was a positive for his health, but Ridge will need further surgeries to try and repair many heart defects.  We were able to help out the Carlton Family in 2023 and 2024.

Shane Mulnix & Cory Haan

Both Shane andy Cory had heart transplants in 2021!  We had to support these adopted families once again as they tried to get through one of the toughest challenges of their lives.  

Benny Stoll

The Stoll Family was our adopted family for 2020 Vintage Torque Fest.

Benny was born 10 weeks premature along with his twin Ellorie.  Not only did Benny have the hurdles of a premature baby, he was diagnosed in utero with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA).  TGA is a rare heart defect where two of the major vessels (Aorta and Pulmonary Artery) that carry blood away from the heart are switched.  Due to Benny being so small when he was born, the surgeons were unable to do immediate surgery to correct this.  Instead he was taken within a couple of hours of birth to have an emergency procedure to tear open the wall in his heart between the left and right atrium.  About 2 months after this procedure, Benny was big enough to have the corrective open-heart surgery.  He had a very long recovery and 3 months after he was born was able to go home.

As Benny was getting older, he still struggled with pulmonary hypertension, eating issues, and had to be on a steady regimen of medication.  In the Spring of 2019, Benny collapsed at a school color run and Doctors then found that Benny had issues with his coronary artery. On December 12, 2019, Benny had his second surgery.  Surgeons performed a rare bypass surgery to connect an internal mammary artery from his right to his left ventricle.  The surgery was a success and after 6 days he was able to leave the hospital.  Benny continues to be under the care of a Cardiologist to assess his heart health.

He is a tractor loving, car crazy heart hero.

Shane Mullnix

The Mullnix Family was our adopted family for 2019 Vintage Torque Fest.  Shane, who is 15 years old, was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and had a heart transplant 38 days after birth.

Throughout Shane’s life he has endured many procedures and illnesses.  In 2009, he was given a pacemaker to help regulate the beats of his heart.  In 2015, Shane began having complications with the pacemaker and transplant heart. After being examined, he was put on the transplant list once again.

Shane had a successful heart transplant in 2021!

Eli Barkhurst

The Barkhurst family was our adopted family for 2018 Vintage Torque Fest. Eli, who resides in Dubuque, IA, is a thirteen year old boy who was diagnosed with Atrioventricular (AV) Canal Defect and Mitral Valve Stenosis. He has undergone 2 open heart surgeries, as well as an Achilles lengthening surgery, and will have his 3rd open heart surgery this July.

After his 2nd surgery Eli suffered complications that left him in a wheelchair. It has taken Eli months in physical therapy to gain the ability to walk and yet he remains a bright light living by his motto “Life is hard, live it full and try new things.”

Will Kohn

Will Kohn was our adopted child for Vintage Torque Fest 2017. He was born with HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome). He had 3 open heart surgeries and received heart transplant in September of 2017, but lost his battle in early 2018. Will Kohn Memorial Scholarship details can be found at the Pleasant Valley School District - www.pleasval.org.

Cory Haan

Meet our Heart Warrior for Vintage Torque Fest 2016! Cory Haan is a 14 year old teenage boy with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). His young body has endured 3 major open heart surgeries rerouting his heart to a 2 chamber heart, as well as many heart caths. Looking at this handsome kid play soccer and karate you'd never know he's operating with half of a heart.

Wyatt Gentry

The Gentry Family were our adpoted family for Vintage Torque Fest 2015.  Wyatt Gentry was diagnosed in utero with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS).  In fact, the weekend of our show he was having open heart surgery.  He is doing great, but will eventually need another surgery  Here is a video link that features the Wyatt Family & gives a better understanding of our big fundraiser, Vintage Torque Fest: https://youtu.be/MyJAdAO5Y40 

Taylyn Wiltse

Taylyn Wiltse  Our heart warrior for 2014 Vintage Torque Fest was Taylyn Wiltse. This precious little girl was born with Double Outlet Rght Ventricle(DOVR), narrowing of the Aortic Arch, and a Ventrical Septal Defect (VSD). Her little body endured many surgeries and we were all devasted for the Wiltse's when she passed away in December 2014, just shy of her 1st Birthday. Her Mom, Erin, and Grandparents, Scott and Vicki, have been such an inspiration as they came back to the show year after year to help pay it forward to other children with heart defects! We so love them and are blessed to have them be a part of our extended family.

Race Essl

The Essl Family was our first adopted family in 2013.  Race Essl was born in 2010, the day after birth, Race unexpectedly became ill and was flown to OSF Saint Francis in Peoria. Upon arrival a cardiologist diagnosed Race with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. We were all in shock. The heart condition that Race has been diagnosed with will require at least three open heart surgeries.  

Click here for the full story of Race