The Ohio Department of Aging celebrates outstanding older Ohioans for their achievements and contributions to others; for the roles they play in their communities, state and nation; and for what they do to promote productive and enjoyable lives. Since 1977, more than 300 individuals have been inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame for contributions toward the benefit of humankind after age 60, or for a continuation of efforts begun before that age.
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2009 Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Inductees
View the 2009 Induction Ceremony
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Third image shows honoree with Allen Burnett, past president of the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and Barbara E. Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, at the induction ceremony in Columbus, May 26, 2009.
Frank Ashton, Madison
Frank Ashton taught art for 33 years until his retirement in 2000. He also has dedicated his life to meeting the needs of his community.
In 1981, he started a canned food drive that has collected more than 125,000 pounds of food to date. He proposed the first latchkey after school program for the Madison Local School District, which became a model for Ohio. Mr. Ashton has been a part of the Madison Christmas Basket Program for 25 years and headed it for the past 15 years, distributing about 350 baskets a year. In 1983, he began a Thanksgiving dinner program, which still serves about 300 people on Thanksgiving day.
Mr. Ashton has donated his time to landscape the high school, using a donation he secured. In 1994, he proposed, designed and helped raise more than $25,000 for the Madison Veterans Memorial. In 1997, he helped secure a $1.2 million grant to establish what is now Stanton Park. He also helped to raise the funds to purchase Rabbit Run Theater for the community and to help in its restoration.
In 1998, Mr. Ashton helped establish "Character Counts," a program in Madison schools that encourages students to show positive traits in their actions. He also started the first free gun lock program in Lake County with the help of the Madison Township Police Department.
During his four-year term as township trustee, Mr. Ashton helped secure grants to add on to the senior center, to get water to residents without water and to improve facilities at Stanton Park. In 2005, with two friends, Mr. Ashton began the Madison Food Center Program, securing a $9,500 grant from the Cleveland Foundation and convincing the Lantern of Madison to donate space to house the program. With help from local churches and volunteers, this program has given food to nearly 20,000 Madison residents.
In 2006, Mr. Ashton started Equip Your Neighbor Cleveland, which has collected more than 1,000 pieces of medical equipment and distributed it to individuals who do not have insurance.
Mr. Ashton also serves on various Madison boards, which provide services that directly impact those who are in need and those who are mentally ill.
Through his efforts, Mr. Ashton is enriching the lives of people in his community.
Dr. Omer W. Blodgett, Sc.D., P.E., Olmstead Falls
Omer Blodgett was welding before he was 10 years old. His knowledge of welded design and his outstanding ability to communicate it are recognized worldwide.
After World War II, Dr. Blodgett joined the sales department at Lincoln Electric. He was a senior design consultant by 1954, and continues to work as a consultant with more than 60 years of distinguished service.
Well-known within the industry for his down-to-earth lectures, Blodgett possesses the ability to explain technical lessons in a manner that is both practical and easily understood. To celebrate his 90th birthday, Welding Magazine printed an article in which fellow engineers, researchers, steel company presidents and his many friends shared how he influenced their careers and lives.
Dr. Blodgett instituted Lincoln Electric's design seminars, where he has taught more than 15,000 engineers and designers worldwide how to design safe, dependable welded connections for a broad range of applications. He also has conducted seminars in the United States, Australia, England, Europe, the Far East, South America and New Zealand. Dr. Blodgett's textbooks, Design of Weldments and Design of Welded Structures, have been in print for more than four decades.
Dr. Blodgett has been credited with pioneering the design of welded structures and establishing welding as the technique of choice in connecting steel structures. Engineering News-Record named him one of the construction industry's leaders and innovators for the past 125 years. LeToumeau University established a Chair for Welding and Materials Joining Engineering in his name.
Dr. Blodgett continues to work and make public appearances, writing a technical column and blog for Welding Magazine and continuing to mentor younger engineers. Called the "Dean of Welding," he is recognized for his dedication to sharing what he has learned. Many consider the name Omer Blodgett to be synonymous with welding expertise.
Barbara Condo, Fairfield
In 1976, Barbara Condo founded One Way Farm Children's Home, a non-profit organization that provides residential care for youths who have been abused, neglected or abandoned or who are mentally challenged or homeless. The service breaks the cycle of abuse and helps each child live a normal and productive life. Approximately 8,000 children have found shelter and direction at One Way Farm Children's Home.
The Farm now employs 19 full-time and 11 part-time trained staff, plus numerous volunteers. It includes an animal education therapy barn, an office complex building and a barn that houses the thrift store, which raises funds for the children's clothing and education. The organization survives on donations raised though Ms. Condo's speaking engagements and through grants solicited from foundations and other sources from the private sector.
Ms. Condo has received numerous awards for her service, including the Mason Humanitarian Award, the Business Person of the Year Award from the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and the Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce Woman of Excellence Award. She helped found, and has served on the boards for the Open Door Pantry, Fairfield Food Pantry and One Way Farm Thrift Store, and continues today supplying them with perishable products.
Ms. Condo's dedication to saving abused, abandoned, lost or troubled children has made, and is still making, a difference in the lives of families and the community. She will never let age become a barrier to her and her life's work.
Jean Palmer Davies, Barnesville
Even though Jean Palmer Davies retired in 1991, she is still involved with journalistic activities and participates in civic endeavors.
Ms. Davies and her late husband, William, managed the family-owned Barnesville Enterprise, the weekly newspaper, from the early 1950's until 1991. She was advertising manager, society editor, news writer, photographer and columnist. In her retirement, she still contributes a weekly column and ensures the daily newspaper is aware of activities in Barnesville, often writing the material herself. Thanks to her specialized computer and other equipment, Ms. Davies is able to continue her writing and involvement in other civic activities, even though she has vision loss due to macular degeneration.
In addition to being a member of the Barnesville Bicentennial planning committee, she was in charge of the cemetery walk, which involved about 200 people. She also assisted with a month-long art show. As a life-time member and current elder of the Barnesville First Presbyterian Church, she is chairman of the church's 150th anniversary celebration.
Ms. Davies originated the idea and helped plan the Watt Center for History and the Arts, which preserves local history. She continues to help with the center's exhibits, programs and fund-raisers. She also helped the community acquire and renovate Baltimore & Ohio Depot, one of the few remaining historic depots in eastern Ohio. She helped get a portion of Barnesville designated as a historic district, and she secured Ohio Historical Markers for the Watt Car and Wheel Co and for Barnesville as the birthplace of the Shannon Family. She was on the committee that produced a pictorial history book of Barnesville's first 200 years, enhancing the book with information not found in other sources.
Ms. Davies was elected to the Barnesville Area Education Foundation's Hall of Fame and was named "Citizen of the Year" in 2003 by the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Davies serves on the Barnesville Community Foundation in various capacities. She was honored by both the Barnesville and Union Local chapters of the Future Farmers of America. She also was co-chairman of the public library expansion committee.
Ms. Davies has dedicated her efforts to projects that benefit her community and future generations.
Glenn Devers, Piqua
After more than 30 years as an educator, Glenn Devers founded "Mission: Veterans to DC," in thanks for the safe return of his four brothers from World War II. Twice a year, through this interdenominational and community project, World War II veterans are treated to a first-class bus tour to Washington, D.C.
Accompanied by community volunteers and medical specialists who pay their own way, the veterans tour the Vietnam Wall, the Air Force Memorial, the Marine (Iwo Jima) Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and other monuments. Then they participate in a stirring ceremony at the World War II Memorial. Seventy-one World War II veterans, their families and volunteers went on the first trip. The fourth trip in April 2009 brought the total of participants to more than 150.
According to Mr. Devers, nothing compares to the veterans' memories shared during the trip. For many, it was the first time some had ever spoken of their experiences since the war.
Then Congressman Sherrod Brown recognized Mr. Devers and the trip on the congressional record in November 2007. Retired Senator Robert Dole also acknowledged Mr. Devers' endeavor. In December 2007, Mr. Devers was appointed the national coordinator for chartered bus trips for veterans to Washington, D.C. through the Honor Flight Network, Inc.
Mr. Devers received the Teacher of the Year award from the Piqua City School District. He developed and directed camps for Miami County's mentally challenged children and adults. He also co-directed an International Summer Village, bringing 11-year-olds and their counselors from 11 different countries to live together for one month. He helped develop the special education program and a laboratory approach to the science courses for the Piqua City Schools, and a centralized library for the Springcreek School.
Volunteering has been an integral part of Mr. Devers' life. He was instrumental in re-activating the community CROP Hunger Walk, which raises awareness and funds to fight world-wide hunger. He has volunteered with the Piqua Arts Council and did coordinate a Muscular Dystrophy fundraiser for the Dayton 2-Steppers. He was a reading tutor, director of the area Youth For Christ and is involved in more church activities than he can name.
The impact of Glenn Devers' contributions, achievements and service to his community has spanned generations.
Jacob H. Frowine, Portsmouth
For more than 80 years, Jacob "Jake" Frowine has shaped young minds and public policy as an educator, administrator, activist and volunteer.
Retiring after 35 years in education, he accepted a part-time teaching position with Ohio University, and then with Shawnee State University, where he remains on the BASICS Program Advisory Board, which helps Appalachian students complete their high school equivalency and encourages first-generation college students.
Mr. Frowine has received many civic service awards, including the Ohio Education Award, the Ohio Retired Teachers award, induction into the Minford Hall of Fame and the Kiwanis "Service Above Self" award. He also was elected as retired teacher delegate to the Ohio Education Association Annual Meeting for many years and, in 1997, was named the Ohio Elk of the Year.
Mr. Frowine has been active in educational associations at the state and national levels, as an Ohio Education Association charter member as well as serving as state chairman. In the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, he helped to organize and develop education public policy and to engage retired teachers. He has served as president of the Scioto County Retired Teachers Association and as chairman of the association's legislative committee. He serves on various committees and continues to audit the association's finances. He has received special recognition from the Ohio Education Association of Retired Teachers for outstanding service in a leadership and advisory capacity.
Mr. Frowine's volunteerism has spanned several decades. In 1982, he joined the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Scioto County and has been volunteering for the Meals on Wheels program ever since. He has served on numerous committees, and in 2006, earned RSVP's "Length of Service Award."
He volunteered with the Southern Ohio Medical Center, where he helped publish the hospital auxiliaries newsletter, was on the scholarship committee and served as chairman of the foundation committee to raise funds for the first CT scan machine in the region. He also has volunteered with the Salvation Army, was an usher at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, helped raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation and read to the blind through Scioto County Radio Reading.
At Hill View Retirement Community, he volunteered for 10 years at the reception desk of the facility. He was elected by the Hill View residents to be their representative on the Hill View Board of Directors, where he served for eight years. He also has been an active member of the Residents' Council.
Mr. Frowine epitomizes service to children, adults and senior citizens.
Mary Jane Hawk, Lima
Mary Jane Hawk gives her time and talent to many causes and she feels strongly about being a part of her community. She is a retired public educator from the Shawnee Local School District where she was a psychological counselor for more than 30 years. She also was a foster parent.
Ms. Hawk currently serves on the Board of Trustees for PSA3, Area Agency on Aging and Allen County Children Services. She is a service member of Who's Who in Child Development Professionals of America. She also serves on the Zoning Appeals Board for American Township and the Westside United Methodist Church Board. She is an active member of the Ohio Education Association, Phi Delta Kappa, Indian Lake Elk's Club, VFW Auxiliary and Planning Unit Development District.
She was president of Good Sam's Club, was on the Sharon Park United Methodist Church Board for 14 years, and served as a liaison and advisor for Lima's Memorial Hospital. She was president of the Senior Citizens of Allen County when they pursued the purchase of their present property location. She also served on their Advisory Board.
Ms. Hawk lost her vision four years ago to macular degeneration, but this has not stopped her desire to help others. She speaks to groups about her vision impairment and its effects on her daily life. She has been in a commercial supporting PSA3 Area Agency on Aging's Independent Living Vision program and has been an inspiration for others who suffer from loss of sight.
Mary Jane has touched the lives of many on the different avenues she has traveled in her life. She is an advocate for children, adults, educators, seniors and those with vision loss.
Martha Pemberton, Canton
Martha Pemberton has been many things in her life: a rodeo rider, a certified beekeeper, mother, photographer and artist. She has also been a vital volunteer at the Indian River Correctional Institution for more than 34 years.
Ms. Pemberton volunteers as tutor, counselor and mentor to the young men at the facility. She is known as "mom" by the staff and the hundreds of young men who have passed through the doors. In 1979, Martha was named Volunteer of the Year. In 2005, she received an award from the Ohio Department of Youth Services for 32 years of service.
After her husband died, Ms. Pemberton kept bees, selling honey to make ends meet. She became known as the Bee Lady, and has lectured thousands of school children on the value of bees in our world. In 1982, she was presented with a bronze medallion as part of the commemoration of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center's 100th anniversary.
Starting the 1930s, Ms. Pemberton rode bucking horses on the rodeo circuit for more than 17 years, under the name of Mat King. She also does water colors and combines her painting with her extensive knowledge of photography.
In 1996, Martha was named as Stark County recipient of the Area Agency on Aging, 10B, Inc. Hall of Fame Awards.
Ms. Pemberton presents a positive image of aging. She has touched many lives and has set an example for generations to follow.
Edna D. Pincham, Youngstown
Edna Pincham served as Youngstown Mayor Patrick Ungaro's assistant for 12 years and was the first black woman to be appointed to this position. She also was the first woman to be named to a Youngstown mayor's cabinet, and she was the first black woman to run for mayor.
Ms. Pincham created the Pincham Initiative Resource Center, an information and referral center that helps people with health and education needs. Now in its 14th year, the Center focuses on tutoring and helping kids pass the Ohio Graduation Test and boasts a 99 percent graduation rate. There are no paid staff members at the Center, only volunteers. Donors make contributions for supplies.
Ms. Pincham has been involved in numerous boards and organizations in the Mahoning Valley. She was the first black woman elected to the Youngstown City School Board, serving for 16 years with several terms as president. She has served on several other boards, including the Area Agency on Aging 11, Inc. She is a member of Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods (ACTION), a group of religious leaders working to keep the community positive. She also worked with various community organizations, such as the YWCA Trustee Board, Mayor's Task Force of Crime and Violence Prevention (founder), Youngstown PTA Council (President) and Mayors Prayer Breakfast Committee (founder). She is presently serving on the State Board of Trustees of the Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Systems.
She was the first black woman to serve as Ohio state president of American Baptist Churches. She has served on the national board of directors of the denomination and was nominated for president of the national and international body.
Ms. Pincham has received numerous honors and awards from local, state, and national government bodies, including being inducted into to the Ohio Women Hall of Fame. She received the National Leadership Award from Leadership Youngstown and received the Elizabeth C. Stanton Award from The National Association of Working Women.
Ms. Pincham has given her heart, her time and her resources to community volunteerism.
Clarence Reich (deceased), Woodsfield
Clarence Reich devoted his life to his family, his farm and his community. He lived on the family farm, where he was born, for 94 years. He and his wife, Melba, were married for 67 years and raised milking cows and beef cattle, pigs, chickens, all types of crops and hay for the livestock. They discontinued the dairy operation when Clarence was 65, but continued to have beef cattle and pigs until he was about 85.
He served on the Board of Directors of the Woodsfield Savings Bank for 26 years, starting in 1968, and was President for five years. He served as a Center Township Trustee and as a trustee for OPERS. He has been a member of the Farmers and Sportsman Club since 1936.
He also was a member of the Moose Lodge, Knights of Pythias Lodge, Rolling Hills Ruritan Club and AARP, serving as vice president of the AARP group when he was 95 years old. Mr. Reich was active in the St. Paul United Church of Christ until he was 97. He and Melba hosted the county's first foreign exchange student in 1959 through the 4-H program.
He was on the Monroe County Fair Board for 18 years. He served many years as treasurer and as fair secretary, managing the fair. He also was a big supporter of the fair, attending all but one from the late 1910s through 2008 (he missed 1989 due to a double knee replacement).
The Reichs were honored at the Monroe County Black Walnut Festival in 2002 when they were chosen to be the first to ring the county's Bicentennial Bell. His 65-year involvement in the organization led to his induction into the Monroe County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame in 1997. The Reichs also were very active with their Farm Bureau Council for more than 60 years.
Mr. Reich was very active with the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and was elected for 42 years to serve on the Monroe County SWCD Board, including 19 years as its chairman. His work was honored when he was inducted into the Ohio SWCD Supervisor Hall of Fame in 2006. He also served as the Monroe representative to the regional Buckeye Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council for five years.
John F. Schoedinger (deceased), Columbus
John Schoedinger enjoyed his work within the community and welcomed all opportunities to help improve the world around him. He dedicated 60 years of service to the Schoedinger Funeral Home which, under his leadership, won awards such as Upper Arlington Business of the Year, Family Business of the Year from the Family Business Center and the Business Integrity Award from the Better Business Bureau, and was named one of the "Ten Best Places To Work" by C.E.O. Magazine.
From serving as president of the YMCA, Franklin County Unit of the American Cancer Society, Friendship House, Council of Westminster-Thurber Retirement Community and the Central Ohio Funeral Directors Association, he always received fulfillment from helping others. He served as past member of the Board of Directors of the Columbus Rotary Club, Better Business Bureau, Ohio Medical Indemnity and Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services.
At age 88, Schoedinger accepted an instrumental role as the Honorary Chairperson of the Broad Street Presbyterian Church's building campaign, which raised $4.6 million for the renovation of the church building. In memory of his wife, Dr. Juliet Stanton Schoedinger, he had the church's sanctuary air-conditioned.
Mr. Schoedinger deplored the conditions many older people were forced to live in during the 1950's. His interests led him to what was then Westminster Terrace Community. He became actively involved on their Board and gave generously of his time and his resources to the betterment of the Westminster-Thurber Community. In 1998, he set up a personal endowment fund to support the Life Care Commitment, which ensures that no resident of Westminster-Thurber is asked to leave because of lack of personal resources.
Mr. Schoedinger never turned anyone away for financial reasons, even if it meant offering his services for free. Generosity was second nature to him, and he was always sensitive to the sorrow families felt when they lost a loved one.
Daisy Smith, Toledo
Daisy Smith and the organization she founded, the Toledo Council of Black Nurses, have been influencing community awareness of heath issues for more than 20 years. Ms. Smith became a registered nurse in 1963 when she graduated from the Medical College of Ohio with honors. She first retired from Mercy Health Partners in 1975 and then from Cardelia Martin Health Center in 2000. For almost 20 years, Ms. Smith has befriended Mr. Bell, voluntarily assisting him and monitoring his health.
The members of the Toledo Council of Black Nurses, under Ms. Smith's leadership, have been active in public schools and churches. They have given scholarships to individuals to pursue nursing. They also have engaged the assistance of established institutions to help in their endeavors, including increased prostate cancer screenings for black men and quarterly community health fairs.
Since the formation of the Council, there has been an increased emphasis on examining and rectifying the health disparities that minority groups face. Ms. Smith is, in no small measure, one of those responsible for that enhanced emphasis. With her collaborator, Dr. James Price of the University of Toledo, she published the first articles written on minority health disparities. She worked with the Ohio Commission on Minority Health and assisted in the formation of 37 local Commissions on Minority Health. Ms. Smith sits on the Finance Committee of the Toledo/Lucas County Commission on Minority Health. She also is involved with the pediatric facility, named the Daisy Smith Pediatrics Clinic, at the Cordelia Martin Health Center.
Ms. Smith continues to educate the community about disease prevention and to organize and encourage upward educational mobility. She is a trail-breaker, organizer, advocate and leader.
William A Wynne, Mansfield
William Wynne is a decorated World War II veteran, an award-winning photo-journalist, inventor, author and community advocate. He also owned and trained one of the most famous dogs in history.
In World War II, Mr. Wynne served as an aerial photographer and flew 13 combat missions. He received two U.S. Presidential Unit Citations and eight Battle Stars.
Mr. Wynne worked at the NASA Lewis Research Center for seven years. He flew with scientists during the icing research program, testing equipment that is still used more than 58 years later. It is said that no planes were ever lost due to icing conditions if this equipment was turned on. He also participated in the Full Scale Aircraft Crash Fire Program, developing a camera system that recorded test crashes with accuracy to within 1/10,000 of a second. NASA Lewis researchers used his timer devices for more than 24 years. He is one of only two technicians mentioned in the NACA/NASA Lewis Lab 50-year History.
At the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Mr. Wynne was part of the three-man investigation of Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane - an exposé of gross mistreatment of inmates by prison guards in 1973. The three newsmen were finalists for a Pulitzer Prize, and the Associated Press of Ohio presented five awards to them, recommending a special award for "by far, the best entry."
Mr. Wynne has received national and international awards for his photography. He also has had many one-man and juried shows, including shows at the Cleveland Art Museum and at John Carroll University.
After retiring in 1984, Wynne returned to the Lewis Research Center's photo department, at NASA's request, serving for four more years until he retired again to write his book. Yorkie Doodle Dandy: A Memoir was about Smoky, a four-pound Yorkshire terrier found in the New Guinea jungle in 1944. Wynne taught her more than 200 tricks and they entertained troops and wounded soldiers. Smoky became a war hero and has six memorials nationally. Back home, he and Smoky continued performing at public events and live on early TV.
Mr. Wynne is currently Vice President of the Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, making regular public book signings and appearances on behalf of Yorkie rescue.
