Service of summons shall be made personally by delivery of an attested copy thereof to the person summoned; provided that if the judge is satisfied that it is impracticable to serve personally such summons or the notice provided for in the preceding section, he may order service by registered mail addressed to the last known address, or by publication thereof, or both. It shall be sufficient to confer jurisdiction if service is effected at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time fixed in the summons for the hearing. When publication is used the summons shall be published in two (2) consecutive issues of a weekly newspaper printed and published in the county; such newspaper to be designated by the court in the order for publication of the summons, and such publication shall have the same force and effect as though such person had been personally served with said summons. Service of summons, process or notice required by this act shall be made by the sheriff or a probation officer upon the request of the court and a return must be made by the sheriff on the summons showing that such service has been made. The judge may authorize payment of any necessary travel expenses incurred by any person summoned or otherwise required to appear at the hearing of any case coming within the purview of this act, and such expenses when approved by the judge shall be a charge upon the county, except that not more than five (5) witnesses on behalf of any parent or guardian may be required to attend such hearing at the expense of the county. The court may summon the appearance of any person whose presence is deemed necessary as a witness or possible resource for the care and treatment of the juvenile, including persons whom the juvenile or the family wishes to have present.