Our team of eye care professionals is experienced and friendly. We’re here to help all patients understand their benefits, schedule appointments, and fulfill their eye doctor’s orders. Our practice can give you guidance in picking out your perfect pair of eyewear, and our friendly office staff is knowledgeable about billing and benefits coverage.
Dr. Eric Dale
Optometrist
Dr. Eric Dale joined Family Optometry in 2007, and worked for seven years with the founder of the practice, Dr. Robert Hutchinson. Both Dr. Dale and his wife, Rachel, are Wabash County natives. Dr. Dale graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana in 1997, and then completed his education at Indiana University, where he earned a Master’s degree in counseling in addition to his Doctor of Optometry degree. Upon graduating from the IU School of Optometry, Dale received the David Kolack, OD Award, given to the top student in the class.
Dr. Dale also received awards for excellence in clinical care and patient communication skills, and he continues to take pride in providing excellent care to his patients and taking the time to clearly answer any questions they might have.
Dr. Dale provides services in the areas of primary care, contact lenses, and treatment and management of ocular disease including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. He also has a special interest in pediatric optometry, and has developed reputation for being patient and gentle with young children, making the eye exam a fun experience for them.
Dr. Dale and his wife, Rachel, have four children: Ella, Harrison, Benjamin, and Rosemary. Outside of work, Dr. Dale enjoys running, hiking, and helping coach his childrens’ little league teams. He and his children are still reveling in the Cubs long-awaited World Series championship
Dr. Dale is a member of Wabash Friends Church, and has become increasingly involved in mission work, leading teams to provide glasses and cataract surgery to people in western Kenya. He has served on the board of White’s Residential and Family Services, and previously served as president of the Wabash Rotary Club and Wabash Valley Optometric Society.
Dr. Ashley Yearling
Optometrist
Dr. Ashley Yearling is a 2012 graduate of the Indiana University School of Optometry. She specializes in primary care, contact lenses and diagnosis and management of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Dr. Yearling was born and raised in Peru, Indiana, and was thrilled to return to north central Indiana and join Family Optometry in September 2014. Dr. Yearling loves the opportunity to get to know her patients, and helping them experience their best possible vision. Her eagerness to personally connect to patients and her hometown roots make her a great addition to Family Optometry.
She loves spending time with her son Carter, traveling, reading and relaxing around a campfire.
Dr. Jack Derby
Optometrist
Dr. Derby joined Family Optometry in 2015 after attending Indiana University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and a doctorate of Optometry. During optometry school at IU, he served as president of the Private Practice Club and Fellowship of Christian Optometrists.
Upon graduation, he worked alongside Dr. Jeff Hughes in Huntington, eventually taking over for Dr. Hughes and Dr. Eric Harman following their retirement.
Jack and his wife Brooke live in Wabash with their three daughters. Together, they enjoy hiking, playing in the YMCA’s “jungle room”, and visiting the “Mewzoo” (Wabash County Museum). They are members of Bachelor Creek Church of Christ.
Dr. Kelsey Schlegelmilch
Optometrist
Dr. Schlegelmilch is a residency trained Optometrist with an interest in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ocular disease. After graduating with honors from IUPUI, she attended the Indiana University School of Optometry. Dr. Schlegelmilch completed her residency in ocular disease at the Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center in Huntington, West Virgina in 2017 before returning home to Indiana with her husband.
Dr. Schlegelmilch has extensive experience in managing advanced corneal disease, co-managing postoperative patients, and monitoring retinal disease. She also has specific interest is urgent ocular care, and has previously taken call for local hospitals, urgent care facilities, and emergency rooms in Cass, Miami, and Howard counties. In recent years, Dr. Schlegelmilch has also expanded her expertise to include specialty contact lens fittings, including multifocal contacts, RGPs, hybrid contact lenses, and scleral lenses.
Dr. Schlegelmilch joined Family Optometry in 2021, and is available for appointments in our Wabash and Peru locations.
Dr. Schlegelmilch and her husband currently reside in her childhood community of Walton, Indiana. When not at home with their fur babies, Stuart and Stella, they spend their time traveling to see family and attending concerts.
Dr. Anthony Offerle
Optometrist
Dr. Anthony Offerle joined Family Optometry in 2021, following his graduation from the IU School of Optometry. Dr. Offerle is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he attended Bishop Dwenger High School. He then attended Indiana University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a doctorate of Optometry.
Dr. Offerle specializes in primary eye care, contact lenses, and treatment and management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease. Patients and coworkers enjoy his warm and fun-loving personality, and he has become a beloved part of our team.
Outside of work, Dr. Offerle enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, talking long walks with his golden retriever, and hanging out on the water at Lake James.
Dr. Offerle is available for appointments in our Huntington location