Thousands of Hoosier Lottery players were winners in drawings during the weekend but leading the winning was Donald Kearns of Westfield. Kerns hit Nov. 8’s record $880,000 Cash 5 jackpot. He purchased the ticket at Kroger, 150 W. 161st St., Westfield.
Kearns, who is self-employed in property management, was still shaking when he claimed his $881,666 prize at Hoosier Lottery headquarters on Nov. 10. Kearns said he would often chat with the clerk at Kroger about the rising Cash 5 jackpot, and when he went to the store on Nov. 9 the clerk mentioned the winning ticket had been sold there. But Kearns, still not certain of his good fortune, declined to admit having what he believed was the lucky ticket.
After checking the numbers himself several times, Kearns signed the back of the ticket. He then asked his daughter to check it for him as well, just for good measure.
Kearns said he looks forward to paying off his home and investing his winnings.
Hamilton County has three Cash 5 winners since May. In addition to Kearns, Cynthia Johnson of Fishers won $278,500 in September and Beverly Smock of Carmel won $336,533 at the end of May.
