All nominations must be received by November 1st each year. You can submit a Nomination Form and/or review Nomination Criteria by clicking the links below:
If you know someone who deserves to be considered for the 2017 Hall of Fame class, please print off our nomination form found on this site and submit it to the High School care of Mr. Paul. All nominees will be considered if they meet the criteria. Nominations must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2016 to be considered for the 2017 class.
1978-79 Girls Basketball Team - Team
The Monroeville Lady Eagles varsity basketball team of 1978-79 under the leadership of first year coach Tom Diringer soared to the first and only Firelands Conference Championship for the Lady Eagles.
In winning the only conference championship in school history the Lady Eagles finished with a outstanding 13-1 record. After losing their opening game of the season by two points to Danbury the Eagles would only lose to New London and Margaretta in the regular season.
During Sectional tournament play the Eagles easily won their first sectional game by defeating New London by thirty-four points. They faced Seneca East in their next game defeating them with a record setting seventy-nine points. After winning their first district game against Buckeye Central the Lady Eagles lost to a very good Mansfield St. Peters team to finish as District Runners Up.
They finished with an 18-4 record.
The Lady Eagles were led by Co-MVP award winners Patti Schafer and Laurie Clayton. Schafer set rebounding records that still stand while Clayton led the team in scoring.
Tom Diringer was honored as Firelands Coach of the Year.
Patti Schafer was Firelands Conference Player of the Year, Firelands Conference First Team and Second Team All-Ohio. Laurie Clayton garnered Firelands Conference First Team recognition and Honorable Mention in District . Lori Zipfel was recognized as Best Defensive Player and Paula Steiber as Most Improved and Best Free Throw Percentage player
Members of this award winning team:
Coach-Tom Diringer Patti Schafer Managers
JV Coach-Mary Beth Ott Tonya Schafer Barb Wilhelm
Beth Clayton Paula Steiber Shannon Smith
Laurie Clayton Diana Stewart Linda Scheid
Molly Hohler Tonya Willis
Denise Krebs Lori Zipfel
Jerry Everhart – School Employee
Jerry Everhart was born on March 18, 1938 in Wyandot County. He has one sister, Marian Babcock. He attended Sycamore High School and graduated in 1956. While in high school he participated in Baseball, Basketball and Track. He was named to First Team All League in basketball. Jerry was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council where he served as president for one year. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Ohio State University where he earned his Bachelor Degree for Science in Education graduating in 1962. In 1972 he received his Masters in Guidance and Counseling from Bowling Green University.
On May 5, 1962 Jerry made the smartest move of his life and married Beverly Miller. They have been married for 55 years.
Jerry began teaching at Monroeville High School in 1962 as a Biology/Physical Education teacher and Coach. He was the boys Varsity basketball and baseball coach while at Monroeville. He also coached football and track. While at Monroeville Jerry also served as the Athletic Director and as the Guidance Counselor.
The basketball teams over the years enjoyed many wins giving Coach Everhart a 118-81 career total. Several of the teams were Firelands Conference Champions or Co-Champions and Sectional Champions.
The 1964 team went to District's but did not come up with a win. The 1970 team set two records. Steve Moore set the record for most points scored in a game at 45 against Black River. Chet Roberts turned in a record setting performance with 16 assists against Norwalk St. Paul.
In 1971 Coach Everhart celebrated his one hundredth career victory!
The baseball teams also found success under Coach Everhart's guidance.
Over the years the teams were the Firelands Conference Champions or Co-Champions and Sectional Champions which sent several teams to the Districts.
In 1968 Jerry was named "Conference Coach of the Year". The 1968 Quill was dedicated to him. They wrote that he takes his work seriously, gives willingly of his time to boys and girls, is never too busy to find time to help students solve their problems, and sets a fine example as a coach and gentleman. His quiet manner, dry wit, his belief in fair play and his common sense made him a favorite with students.
"You don't have to get the highest score to be the winner so long as you play the game fair and square" - Jerry Everhart.
He left Monroeville in 1972 to take the head basketball coaching position at Bucyrus High School. He also taught Biology and was the Guidance Counselor.
In 1978 he became the Guidance Counselor at Edison High School. He also served as the Athletic Director for four years while at Edison. He remained at Edison for fourteen years until his retirement in 1992 after thirty years in Education.
Following his retirement he and Beverly moved back to Sycamore and built a house. Jerry also became the Executive Director of the Wyandot County Council on Aging. The Council on Aging was a non-profit organization that provided services to the seniors of Wyandot County. Services provided by the agency were things such as meals, transportation, housekeeping and referral services. He retired in 1996.
After retiring a second time Jerry took up gardening and maintained their 2.5 acre property until 2012 when they sold their home and down sized. They currently reside in Findlay, Ohio
Ken Leber - Alumni-Community Member
Ken was born in 1957 to Kathleen and Robert Leber. He is one of 5 children his brothers are Tom, Len, Fred and Harold. Ken graduated from Monroeville in 1976. He married his high school sweetheart Jeanne Smith in 1981. Jeanne is a retired school teacher. They are the parents of three sons Matthew (1984), Kyle (1987) and Benjamin (1990). Matthew is married to Lindsay and together they have two children Samantha (4) and Jacob (2). Kyle lives near Dublin, Ohio and works as an accountant. Ben is a social worker and will marry Beth in December.
While attending Monroeville High School Ken participated in Football (4 yrs), Basketball (4 yrs) and Baseball (4 yrs). He was also a member of the National Honor Society and Future Teachers Association. His senior year he served as the class Vice-president.
On the football field Ken was a three year starter and letterman. He served as a Co-captain in 1975. In 1974 he received the Iron Man Award and in 1975 was named Outstanding Defensive Lineman. Ken was also named All Conference Defensive Lineman second team as a junior and first team as a senior. He was also named All Conference second team as a Center his junior year and Honorable Mention as Tight End.
Ken served as Co-captain on the 1975-76 basketball team. It was the most successful team in school history. Conference, Sectional and District champs, finishing 22-2. They lost in the Regional finals by one point.
In baseball Ken was a three year letterman where he primarily played third base. In 1976 he received the Highest Batting Average Award.
After high school Ken attended Bowling Green State University (1976-80) graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree of Education in Recreation Administration. He was Vice-president of the Recreation Honorary (Alpha Lamda Omega) as a junior and President as a senior. In 1980 he was the recipient of the Dr. Andrews-Dr. Hooley Award given to the Outstanding Graduate in the Department. In 1979 he received a scholarship from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association and in 1980 was asked to speak at their annual conference. Ken was selected as the lone student to sit in on a Search Committee of the BGSU Chair for Health Physical Education and Recreation in 1979. While attending BGSU he worked in the Student Recreation Center.
Upon graduation from college in 1980 Ken was employed by the City of Norwalk Parks & Recreation Department as a Supervisor and Counselor. In 1981 he was promoted to Assistant Superintendent. By 1997 he was now the Superintendent of Parks & Recreation and responsible for managing a $1.5 million budget. A million dollars was generated annually through fees and charges from programs and facilities. His staff included nine full-time and nearly one hundred part-time workers. They maintained over fifteen parks and a state of the art Community and Aquatic Center. As the Superintendent Ken was instrumental in the design, planning and development of the Ernsthausen Community Center and Ernsthausen Aquatic Center. Eight new parks including the premier softball venue in this part of the state-Bill Baines Park, Suhr Park and the Sofios Soccer Complex were added during his tenure. He was the City Liaison and Board Member of the Lefty Grove Baseball from 1998-2011. He retired from the Norwalk Parks & Recreation Department in 2011.
In his spare time Ken kept busy volunteering. 1977-78 he was the Summer Recreation Program Director for the city of Monroeville and he developed, organized and implemented sports programs for youths 6-16. He also promoted and raised funds to build the second tennis courts at Marsh Field. He served as Assistant Football Coach for Coach Steve Ringholz from 1978-97. His first year was as a Line Coach for the school's first undefeated team. The following years he helped as a Game Coach in the booth. From 1974-79 he officiated and supervised the winter basketball program at Monroeville for eighty youths. He coached most of the boys activities in the Lefty Grove League, Park & Rec and the travel leagues.
He has been a board member of the Norwalk Area United Fund for over 20 years. He served as Vice-President in 2009 and President in 2010. He was awarded the initial John A Elmlinger Extra Mile Award in 2016. He started the "Dine Out For the Fund of It" program that to date has provided nearly $25,000 into the agency's coffers.
Ken is a member of the Norwalk Area Lions Club. Serving as President in
2013-14 and will serve again in 2018-19. He served as Vice-president in
2012-13 and 2017-18. Recipient of the "Melvin Jones Fellow" for Dedicated Humanitarian Service in 2014-15.
He served on the Firelands Chapter of the Red Cross from 2011-15.
Ken volunteered as a member of the MAC Finance Committee. He identified and recruited alumni to serve a vital role in raising over $1.4 million in pledges to match the incredible gift of a donor. This led to the construction of the MAC, a most amazing accomplishment for a small community. Then Ken took it upon himself to develop a petition, obtain signatures and lobbied the Board of Education to name the basketball court the "Steve Moore Court" to honor alumnus Steve Moore who has enjoyed a very successful career as a college basketball coach.
Ken is now President of Tazwire Technologies, a company that provides wifi to multi dwelling communities. He and Jeanne reside in Norwalk.
Dean Failor - Alumni
Dean Failor is a 1964 graduate of Monroeville High School. he is the son of the late Forest (Blackie) and Rachel Failor and the brother of Bruce Failor and the late Beverly (Failor) Bergman. Bruce Failor is married to Diane Wiles of Norwalk and splits his time living in Norwalk and Southport, NC. Bruce is retired from the nuclear power industry. Beverly was the first lady of Monroeville for many years as the wife of former Mayor Thomas Bergman. Dean attended Monroeville public schools from grade one until graduation. As a youth, he thoroughly enjoyed growing up in Monroeville participating in organized baseball, pick up games of basketball and football, playing in and around the river and doing whatever boys do in small town America. He also attended Zion Episcopal church serving as an acolyte and the president of the youth group at the church while in high school. He worked at Morrows Supermarket after school and weekends during his high school years. While at the high school, he lettered in basketball, football and track. He also participated in the band and was in the school play his senior year. He is most proud of playing defensive back and quarterback on the 1963-1964 Firelands Conference championship team, the first for MHS. After high school, he attended The Ohio State University graduating in March 1969 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration and a major in International Trade. He was active in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and was elected as a n officer in the fraternity for three of those years. He was also a member of the Air Force ROTC reaching the rank of Cadet Colonel in charge of operations. Upon graduation, he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the USAF. His military career began as an undergraduate navigator student at Mather AFB, CA. After completion of training, he was assigned as a Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) in the F-4D Phantom II, two seat fighter bomber. He began his first combat tour in November 1970 at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. Assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW), 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS). He flew 220 combat missions over North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Missions included close air support, interdiction, and AC-130 gunship escort. His squadron specialized in using the first laser guided weapons, hitting pin point targets such as anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), enemy bunkers, bridges, trucks, radar vans, bulldozers, tanks, etc. Being among the few crews to use the laser guided systems, he was interviewed and appeared in an episode of Modern Marvels, Guided Weapons and has been quoted in an article about laser guided weapons in the Smithsonian's Air and Space Magazine. At the completion of his 12 month tour, he was assigned to Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. He was redeployed to Ubon AB for nine more months in April 1972 for Linebacker I and Linebacker II operations to stop the invasion of South Vietnam by North Vietnam. During this time period, he flew an additional 157 combat sorties. On this tour, began flying a mission called chaff suppression. Chaff missions were used to confuse enemy radars and protect aircraft carrying bombs to high threat targets in North Vietnam. Threats encountered included enemy aircraft, surface to air missiles and AAA. This was a particularly hazardous mission, because if the chaff aircraft could be destroyed, the following waves of aircraft could easily be targeted. His combat decorations include eight distinguished flying crosses, twenty nine air medals, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Presidential Unit Citation, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device. After the war years, he was assigned to Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma. While in pilot training, he served as class commander and received the top formation flying awards in both the T-37 and T-38. Upon completion of training, he returned to the F-4, flying reconnaissance missions in Europe. While there, he served as a flight commander and squadron threat analysis and tactics officer. He then returned to the fighter mission and was assigned to the 347th TFW at Moody AFB, GA. While flying the F-4E, he served as a multi aircraft flight lead, Chief Functional Check Flight officer and the head of Wing Quality Assurance. He also attended night school and received his Master's degree in Management from Troy University. in Troy, Alabama. Upon being promoted to Major, he was selected to attend the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA and then was assigned to Ramstein AFB, West Germany, first to Headquarters Allied Air Forces Central Europe as a staff officer in tactical evaluation and then upon being promoted to Lt. Col., became division chief o the Combat Capabilities Division at Headquarters United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE), also at Ramstein AFB. After this four year tour, he returned to the states to perform duties as a chief planner and team chief in the exercise division for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at HQ Forces Command, Ft. McPherson, GA. He finished his 20 year air force career in October 1989. Upon retirement from the USAF, he first worked as a civilian contractor F-16 flight simulator instructor at Moody AFB. During this two year period, he attended Valdosta State University earning his secondary school teaching certificate. He then began a fourteen year career as a high school Senior Air Force Junior ROTC instructor at Lowndes High School, Valdosta, GA. During this time, he received the Outstanding AFJROTC Instructor award three times (top 10% of instructors world-wide) and his unit received the top unit award 13 consecutive years. He was instrumental in convincing the Georgia State Board of Education to assign a full-time staff member at the Georgia Department of Education to represent JROTC units in the state and to award Career and Technology credits to JROTC students. Upon retiring from the school system in 2006, the school system honored him by building an activity/drill/leadership training field for the exclusive use of AFJROTC and named it after him.
As a resident of Vadosta, Ga, Lt. Col. Failor has served as senior warden of his church, as commander of the local chapter of Daedalians (professional military pilots association), commander of the local chapter of the Red River Valley Fighters Pilots Association, Senior Vice Commander and Chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1777, Vice President of the Air Force Association (South GA Chapter), member of the American Legion Post 13 and member of the Military Officers Association of America. He was also a member of the Save Moody AFB committee that successfully prepared a report and testified before a US Congressional Base Realignment Committee to keep Moody AFB open. Lt. Col. Failor was married to Kathleen Mary Lantzy of East Detroit, Michigan for 48 years until her death to cancer in July 2014. She was wonderful women. In spite of moving into 17 different houses or apartments in 20 years, she was able to begin a successful 20 year career as a civil servant working for the USAF, complete classes earning a college degree and successfully raise two sons, Dean II and Peter. Dean II graduated from VSU with a Bachelors Degree in biology and then the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters Degree. He and his wife Wendy served for twelve years as missionaries in a middle eastern country and now live in Savannah, GA where they continue to work with their church. They have two children, Benjamin and Katie. Peter Received a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in English from VSU and now serves as the Assistant Director of the English Language Institute at the university.
Ken Schafer - Alumni / Community Member
Ken Schafer was born March 1, 1958 to Alf and Barb Schafer. He grew up on Knob Hill with three brothers, Don, Dave and Tom, and three sisters Linda, Pat and Jane. At a very young age, he was influenced greatly by his hardworking parents. His father was a mason and co-owner of Knob Hill Construction, his mother was a Huron County clerk. They instilled in him a strong work ethic and the importance of family and community. Ken attended St. Joseph Catholic school through eighth grade then attended Monroeville High School graduating in 1976. While at Monroeville High School Ken was on the football team. He was a two-year letterman and team captain. He was named first team Firelands Conference offensive guard and defensive tackle and second team All-Ohio defensive tackle. Ken also served as the Senior Class president, was a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the Future Teachers Association. It was during the summers while working for his father's construction company that he developed a passion for the construction industry. This inspired him to attend the University of Toledo graduating in 1978 with a degree in Construction Engineering Technology. Ken married his high school sweetheart, Sue Hofacker in May of 1981. They purchased a home in Monroeville which they began renovating and also started a family. At the time Ken was employed as a draftsman for Charles Effinger Architecture in Norwalk. In 1989 Ken passed the State of Ohio Architecture exam to become a registered architect. In 1991 he was hired by Janotta & Herner to be a project manager and to oversee drafting. He became a partner/owner and served as president of the company for seven years. He was also am member of the Norwalk Economic Development Corporation serving as president for two years. Throughout the years while Ken was busy working and raising a family he still found time to be involved in the Monroeville community. He is lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, served on the Parish Council for four years and also served on the Finance and Building Committees. Ken, his father and brother Tom renovated the Hess Hardware building which has been an asset to the downtown area. Ken has also been very supportive of the Monroeville School District. He served on the Board of Education for four years and was board president during part of his term. He donated time to the design and construction of the Jason and Charles Poths Memorial Building, the Jason Alexander Memorial Field House, the Marsh Field bleacher project and Clark Park. Ken was the point person for Janotta & Herner and community liaison in the design and construction of the K-3 addition to the Monroeville Elementary School. Recently Ken was instrumental in the construction of the MAC. He assisted in the development of the MAC project. Organized MAC committees, co-led community meetings and was chairman of the Finance Committee. He and his son Greg served as Co-Chair of the MAC Building Committee. They were involved with the design and worked through the completion of construction on the project. Ken donated countless hours to make this dream a reality for the community. Ken retired from Janotta & Herner in 2015. He enjoys spending time with his wife Sue, their three children Greg Schafer, Jessica Wasserman and Stephanie VanFleet, their spouses and nine grandchildren whom all reside in Monroeville. Ken is still very involved in the community and will always have a passion for construction.
George "Lefty" Schild - Alumni / Community Member
George Schild was born in Peru Township on March 26, 1918 to Harry and Mabel (Stotz) Schild. He was one of five children, and attended Pontiac Lutheran Church. He and his sisters Myrtle (Diringer), Alice (Ringholz) and brothers Robert, James and Donald worked on their family farm. George married Erma R. White in 1943. They have one son, David who is married to Marian (Braun) Schild. Their children are Andrew and Matthew. George became interested in the grocery business early on while working at his uncle, Carl Stotz's, market in downtown Monroeville. George was a star basketball and baseball player for the Monroeville Eagles before graduating in 1936. George's basketball accomplishment culminated in the Eagles winning the Class B Huron County Championship, and him being named to the All County Starting Five along with Bill Cook and "Mutt" Heyman. George played athletes whose names and achievements still echo up and down the streets of Monroeville. "Doggy" Palmer, Leander Bores, Bill Cook, Bob Pancoast, John McMahon and Bob Dickman. After high school George Schild became the ace of a semi-pro baseball team-the Monroeville Grays. He possessed a tremendous 12 to 6 curveball and a good fastball which made him a strikeout southpaw. The pinnacle of his Grays' career was a no-hitter against the Sandusky Independents. He struck out 18 batters in the nine inning contest. The no-hitter is recorded at the Baseball Hall of Fame. George also played for the Tiffin Mud Hens, a class D minor league team, in the Summer of 1939. The next year, George "Lefty" Schild played for the class D Fremont Green Stockings. The Green Stockings were affiliated with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He tied for the league lead in wins that Summer with seven. George Schild was on his way to the Major Leagues when the winds of war blew the country in a meaner and more deadly direction. He left for training at Fort Knox and in California before being sent to England. George Schild was assigned to the 6th Armored Division under the Third Army commanded by the legendary George S. Patton. The 6th Armored fought through the Brest Peninsula to Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Sergeant Schild was part of the Troop E 86th Reconnaissance Battalion. He fought in five battle campaigns across Europe which included : Normandy, Ardennas, Northern France, Central Europe and the Rhinelands. He commanded a M3 Stuart light tank with twin Cadillac engines with a top speed of 36 MPH. Sergeant Schild earned the Bronze Star. Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Medal and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 5 bronze Service Stars. He received the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in connection with military operations in the vicinity of Germany on March 30, 1945. While crossing a bridge over a river, his task force was split by heavy artillery and bazooka fire. George boldly maneuvered his 37mm cannon into position, knocking out two sections of the enemy, and laying a smoke screen, which enabled the task force to clear the bridge. The 86th Recon Battalion was one of the first units to relieve the town of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. The road to Berlin was long and difficult, but the 6th Armored became one of the most storied units of the European Theater in World War II. In the summer of 1945, George Schild returned from the war to his beloved wife, and started working towards his dream of opening his own grocery store. He opened Schild's Modern Market on Monroe Street across from McClain's Tractor Sales. George Schild was the first returning Monroeville war veteran to open a business in his home town. He employed two of his brothers, Robert and James. His uncle, Carl Stotz, along with Donnie Morrow, also worked in the Market. The Grand Opening of Schild's Modern Market was March 9, 1946. George Schild's father, Harry established a slaughterhouse just over the bank near the dam which provided the beef, pork and poultry for the market at incredibly low costs. George operated and ran his store by these words that would appear in many of the grocery store's weekly flyers: "Say...Folks...You certainly know good meat and food values, because you and your neighbors keep coming back for more-and in constantly increasing numbers...and we are always glad to have our customers come in and choose their own foods, but remember, if you can't come in, we are always pleased to deliver your order right at your door!" In 1955 George decided to take up bigger challenge and move his business to Norwalk. The Modern Market was left in good hands to Donnie Morrow. The new 10,000 sq. ft. supermarket was constructed by Schneider Builders of Monroeville, and became known as Schild' IGA Foodliner. As a successful and long-standing business man, George Schild received many awards over the years including the Jaycees' Man of the Year Award in 1973. George was a member of many clubs over the years including: Monroeville Masonic Lodge and American Legion Post 547 (twice the post commander), the Monroeville Rod and Gun Club, Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce, Elks, Eagles, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Norwalk and Monroeville Booster Clubs. His contributions of one percent of cash register receipts over the past decades went to churches, schools, 4-H Clubs, Scouts, Garden Clubs, Farm Women's Clubs, and the Christie Lane School, among many other groups. Norwalk City Schools presented an award to George Schild for "Benevolent Service" in 1976. However, he received the ultimate award from his IGA peers in 2001: The IGA Retailer of the Year Award. He won the award from a field of 2000 IGA operators. Years later after his death, George's legacy continued when his son, David accepted the Pinnacle Award presented by the Ohio Grocers Association for the Outstanding Independent Supermarket Operator in the State of Ohio. Brent M. Fox, a mathematics coordinator at BGSU Firelands, calculated the current value of 70 years of contributions to the greater Norwalk and Monroeville areas by George Schild. He found that Sergeant George "Left" Schild's generosity over all these years would amount to somewhere between a conservative $2.4 million or a more liberal $6.4 million. George Schild: truly an example of a Monroeville boy's life well played.
Linda Fitzgerald Smith - Alumni / Community Member
Linda was born March 24, 1945 in Tekoa, Washington to James P. and Bernice
Fitzgerald. She has two brothers Jim and Terry and three sisters Kathy, Theresa and Marcia. Her family moved to Ohio in 1950 primarily because of the opportunity for work for her Dad. She is married to Norm Smith. Their son Rick Heck is married to Chas and they have two children.
Linda attended St. Joseph Catholic School through eighth grade, graduating in 1959. She then attended Monroeville High School. At Monroeville High School she was a four year member of band, choir, Future Homemakers of America and Girls Recreation Association. Her Junior year she was the delegate to Buckeye Girls State. Linda served on the yearbook staff and had a role in the class play both her Junior and Senior year. She was a member of the National Honor Society, received the Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow Award and received The Best All-Round Girl Award. She served as president of the Junior Class, Future Homemakers of America and was president of Student Council her Senior year. Linda graduated fifth in the class of 1963. Linda attended Sienna Heights College in Adrian, Michigan for two years. Her Sophomore year she served as Class President. In 1966 Father George Schmidt, the
pastor at St. Joseph Church in Monroeville approached Linda about teaching third grade. In those years, teachers could begin teaching before they graduated from college if they applied for a Cadet Certificate. Linda agreed and thus began her teaching career. Linda taught during the day then worked nights and summers to finish her degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University.
Linda went on to teach at Monroeville Elementary School for many years. While there she served as president of the negotiating committee of the Monroeville Teachers Association. She also taught at Greenview North in Jamestown, Ohio and several years at St. Paul Elementary in Norwalk, Ohio. She then moved to the administrative side of education returning to St. Joseph School where she became the first lay principal serving in that capacity for five years before retiring in 2011. Coming out of retirement she became the principal at St. Peter Catholic School in Huron and remained there for eight years until she retired for good. At both schools, she was instrumental in introducing the Annual Fund Drive which garnered $80,000 per year for the school Over the years she has been active in other areas. At St. Joseph Catholic Church she has been chairman of the RCIA process, served on the Endowment Board, for fifteen years has co-chaired the carry-out at the church festival, works at funeral dinners and serves as a Eucharistic Minister. Linda was a 15 year member of the Monroeville
Library Board of Trustees, serving as secretary for three years and as president six years. She is an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Zeta Chapter and the Huron County Retired Teachers.
In the spring of 2014, Ken Leber approached her about leading a committee to raise a million dollars for the Monroeville Athletic Complex (MAC) to match a million dollar gift from an anonymous donor. She became the Chairman of the Finance Committee and they reached their goal plus an additional $400,000.00. Linda found herself working with some of her former students from the first class that she taught in 1966. Linda admits that she is proud to have been a part of this effort. It really put the spotlight on Monroeville “step-up and do what needs doing” attitude.
Linda and Norm live outside Monroeville on a farm. She prefers to be outdoors
gardening and taking care of the lawn. Though they don’t travel much anymore, she and Norm have always been avid Amtrak travelers, loving the camaraderie that takes place among train travelers and the “sit back and let someone else do the driving” benefit. She does admit, though, that one should never be in a rush when traveling Amtrak as they are notoriously off schedule much of the time.
George Roeder - community member
George Roeder was born on August 16, 1936 on a farm outside of Monroeville, Ohio to Charles and Mary Roeder. He lived in this area his entire life and enjoyed being a part of the Monroeville community. He attended Monroeville High School.
When George was 16 years old, under the direction of his older brother Charles and with the permission of his mother he started his racing career. He took part in his first money-paying race in 1954 at the age of 17, following in the footsteps of his brother Charlie. He quickly advanced through the Novice and Amateur ranks. After a successful rookie Expert year in 1956, he started the 1957 season with a new Harley-Davidson that cost him only $100, thanks to the Ohio Harley Davidson Dealers Association.
George went on to become one of the best-known top M-C racers not only in the United States but worldwide. He was a racing force from his first time on a dirt track. George competed in Road, Dirt Track, TT, Arena and Short Track. He was top Novice and top Amateur before he received his memorable Number 94, expert plate.
Roeder’s first Grand National Championship victory came at the Springfield Mile in 1963. The 1963 campaign proved to be his best. He added wins at the Freeport Half Mile and Sacramento Mile. Despite winning three of the 14 nationals staged that year, Roeder missed out on winning the coveted Number One plate by one point.
Besides his well-recognized talent on the dirt tracks of America, Roeder also proved himself to be an excellent road racer as well. He earned four podium finishes in the Daytona 200 in the early to mid 1960’s and was a runner up at Laconia (New Hampshire) in 1963. Roeder was named the AMA’s Most Popular Rider in both 1963 and 1965. The award was the result of voting by members of AMA chartered clubs.
1965 was another year of successes for George. Grand National Championship race wins at Heidelberg, PA (Half Mile) and Kansas City Half Mile were highlights of that season. He also won the Columbus, OH Half Mile. He finished 5th in the point standings that season behind 4 other Dirt Track Hall of Famers. In that same year, on October 21, 1965 George set a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Powered by a Harley-Davidson 250cc Sprint motor, the streamliner was piloted to a record speed of 177.225 miles per hour. This record gave him international fame.
The 1967 season proved to be another exceptional year for George. He earned five podium finishes at the nationals, including wins at the Sacramento mile and half-mile at San Jose, California. Once again he finished second in the series.
Life off the track was rewarding for George as well. In 1967 he was named Monroeville Spectator Citizen of the Year and in 1968 he received The DeKalb Corn 200 bushel award. Two honors he was very proud of.
Maybe more impressive than his on the track accomplishments was his rapid rise to embed a motorcycle mentality into countless riders across Northern Ohio. Harley-Davidson executives originally doubted a motorcycle shop in Monroeville, Ohio could succeed. Meanwhile, George constantly vouched for area and his relentless lobbying and love for Monroeville culminated with his friend John Davidson ultimately being the influence that got him his own store. In 1972, Roeder Harley-Davidson debuted inside a small barn on U.S. 20 in Monroeville. Over the twenty plus years of running the store George was recognized by Harley-Davidson with their Dealer of the Year Award.
By selling and fixing bikes – often times for free – George began cultivating his passion for riding with locals who were once oblivious to bikes, including farmers and factory workers. Four decades later, George’s expertise and love for riding sprouted countless other motorcycle enthusiasts around this region. The best example of this would be Ohio Bike Week, in which George’s influence helped the area play host to one of the country’s most popular riding extravaganzas, welcoming tens of thousands of riders each year.
In 1989 George was inducted into the Charity Newsies Hall of Fame and in September 2000 he was inducted into the National Dirt Track Hall of Fame.
Even though he received many accolades through out his life being a father to his children Paula, Will, George II, Jess and Kami was the thing he cherished the most. George went to be with God his Father on May 8, 2003 at the age of 66.
russell herner - alumni
Russell Herner was born in Monroeville to Art and Gay Herner. He has three brothers, James and John and Richard. Russ married his wife of 53 years Marcia in 1963 and they have three children, Mark, Lori and Jennifer and four grandchildren. Russ graduated from Monroeville High School in 1957 and served as the Senior Class President. He was a member of the Huron County Basketball Championship team and selected “First team” on both the Huron County and Huron/Erie County Leagues. During his sophomore year at MHS, he built a car, using whatever parts he could find. He then submitted it as a science fair project, which earned him second place at Sate. After graduation from Monroeville, Russ continued his education at Mohawk Valley Technical Institute, NY University graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 1960. After graduation, Russell was hired as the Plant Engineer at the Sandusky plant of Dixon Ticonderoga Co., for 45 years. While there he was instrumental in bringing automation to the plant. This included designing the equipment, writing the specs for the equipment to be built in Germany, overseeing the work in Germany, setting up the equipment at the plant and making sure it worked. He was promoted to Dixon Corporate Engineer and worked at several plants in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Russ has been a Mason since 1962, serving as master of Roby Lodge 1969, District Deputy Grand Master (1975-77), 16th District Advisor for five years, and master of Ohio Lodge of Research (1986). He received his 33rd Degree from Scottish Rite Valley of Toledo (1992). In 2002 he received a “Special Grand Master’s Award” plaque and silver platter from Grand Master Thomas Reynolds “For going that extra mile above and beyond.” After reading 200 sets of minutes of the Roby Lodge in Monroeville, Russ wrote the 100th Anniversary History (1184-1984). Russell is the author of three books: Stonehenge: An Ancient Masonic Temple (1984), Antique Ice Skates for the Collector (2001) and Cathedrals Built by the Masons (2015). This has lead to years of lecturing at Masonic organizations, churches, civic clubs and colleges. Since 1979 Russ has written several articles in Magazines on masonry, Stonehenge, antique ice skates, tools and antique automobiles.
Having collected antique automobiles for over 60 years Russ’ collection includes six automobiles that are over 100 years old. In 1997, at the 100th Anniversary celebration of Oldsmobile in Lansing, Michigan, Oldsmobile included his 1904 Oldsmobile in their Centennial film. Over the years Russ has researched and collected a variety of antiques including ice skates, skaters lanterns, flat irons, travelers; wheelwright, blacksmith, carpenter and coopers tools. In 2007 Russ won two National awards at the Midwest Tool Collectors Association meeting in Milwaukee. “Best of Sow in Theme”: “tools of the Cooper” and “People’s Choice Display” for his miniature wood carving display of a complete coopers shop carved in cherry.
In his spare time Russ purchased a log cabin near Fremont, disassembled and rebuilt it on his property in rural Bellevue. He also served as the first President of the Bellevue Historical Society. Additionally, Russ is a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church, Pontiac. He has spent considerable time researching the burial sites in the church cemetery and recorded them in a book for members.
andrew latham - alumni
Andrew Latham is a 1962 graduate of Monroeville High School. He is the son of the late Guy and Dorothy Latham and the brother of David Latham and Linda (Latham) Montabon.
Latham was a three sport athlete at MHS, lettering in baseball, basketball and football. He was a halfback on the first MHS football team of the modern era, that team having its first official season during his senior year. He counts Monroeville's first football victory as one of the highlights of his high school career.
While at MHS, he was also a member of band and chorus, acted in two class plays, and was a class officer. He was the recipient of the Athletic Award for the graduating Class of '62.
Following high school, he attended the Ohio State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1967. At OSU he was inducted into Alpha Pi Mu (Industrial Engineering honorary), and Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-medical honorary).
He attended the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, graduating in 1971. At Bowman Gray, he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society representing the highest honor for academic achievement and leadership awarded to medical students.
He completed internship at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC in 1972, and residency training at the University of Cincinnati in 1976 as one of the earliest graduates of a residency program in the then newly established medical specialty of Emergency Medicine.
In 1976 he joined the staff of Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, Michigan where he served as the Medical Director of Emergency Services. He also was Medical Director of the EMT Curriculum at North Michigan Community College in Petoskey from 1978-80.
In 1980, pursuing a goal of developing a physician group composed of emergency medicine specialists in a major medical center, he joined the medical staff at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan as Medical Director of Emergency and Trauma Services.
He co-founded Kalamazoo Emergency Associates (KEA), a professional corporation of emergency physicians, and was President of that organization for 21 years until his retirement in 2001. Under his leadership, KEA grew from an organization of five physicians providing emergency physician services at Borgess Medical Center to a group of nearly 50 physicians practicing in a coordinated network of regional hospitals in southwestern Michigan.
Latham was also a Medical Director and flight physician for Borgess In-Flight Medical Services, one of the first medical helicopter services in Michigan, and participated in a leadership capacity in the development of Borgess Medical Center as a Level 1 Trauma Center. He served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine for Michigan State University while at Borgess.
Since retiring from emergency medicine in 2001, Latham, often accompanied by his wife Jan, has pursued community and international service in several capacities. As a member of Rotary International, he has traveled to India and Nigeria to immunize thousands of children in the global initiative to eradicate polio, has distributed wheelchairs to disabled persons in a small community in Mexico, and has traveled to Haiti to promote clean water projects in that country.
He has also traveled to Kenya on two occasions to provide medical services in a remote Masai tribal village. In 2010, a few days after the earthquake which devastated Haiti, he joined a group of health care providers to fly into Puerto Prince, Haiti in order to deliver emergency care to victims of that disaster.
Most recently in 2015 the couple traveled with Habitat for Humanity to assist in building a home for a Nicaraguan family in a coastal village in that country.
Latham has also served on several community boards in Kalamazoo, and has been active in his church in Kalamazoo, chairing two construction projects and participating in several committees in leadership positions.
Personal interests include technical mountain climbing, expedition canoeing, skiing, biking, photography, and backpacking with his wife Jan. He has canoed over 2000 miles of Canadian wilderness whitewater rivers, and has summited mountain peaks on six continents. In the Swiss and French Alps, his summits have included such iconic peaks as the Matterhorn, Mt. Blanc, the Eiger, the Monch and the Jungfrau.
He is married to the former Jan Griffin of Durham, North Carolina. Previously a pediatric critical care nurse, Jan is now an international women's adventure travel guide who directs and leads active hiking, climbing and trekking trips around the globe.
Jan and Andy are the proud parents of five children - Carrie (husband Charlie Johnson), Alison (husband Ryan O'Donnell), Amy (husband Dan Mervak), Stephen (wife Kim Wohlgemuth), Adam (and Nichole Geese) - and have six beautiful grandchildren - Delaney and Dylan Johnson, Clara and Abel Mervak, and Jack and Evelyn Latham.
Frank E Butler – Alumni / Community Member
Frank Butler, one of 11 children, was born in Monroeville on Nov. 2, 1877. He and his family lived on Jackson St. next to the railroad tracks across from the stockyards. This vicinity was known as “The Ridge”. He attended a two-room school for three years, graduating from the first room, which taught the “three R’s” to the second room designated for more senior studies. In 1890, at age 13 he left school and began working for the Edna Piano & Organ Co. as a wood carver. Shortly thereafter he took a position with the Western Union and Lake Shore Railroad as a telegraph messenger for much less pay because he felt there was a better future in the railroad business. By 1900 his job had elevated to Dispatcher and in 1904 he was offered the position of Private Operator and Secretary to the General Manager for the New York Central Railroad. On June 5th 1904, prior to accepting the new position, Frank took a weekend trip to the St. Louis World’s Fair. Although he had worked out a careful, time efficient itinerary, when he arrived at the DeForest Wireless Telegraphy exhibit, he did not leave. He was completely fascinated by the concept of wireless telegraphy, which at the time was not much more than a fledgling experiment in the early stages of unproven development. At the time most people did not believe wireless signaling was possible. Taking a huge leap of faith, Frank, with little education and leaving a lucrative railroad career, against the advice of all his friends, except his Father, decided to take a low paying job with DeForest and his crew at the fair. Recognizing that he was in the presence of a genius, Lee Deforest, he totally dedicated himself to learning all he could and becoming the best technician possible. By the end of the fair the Deforest Wireless Co. through successful demonstrations of this new technology obtained a contract with the U.S. Navy to install wireless stations in Pensacola, Fla, Key West, Fla, Guantanamo, Cuba, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Colon, Panama. Frank was put in charge of the construction and equipment set up at Pensacola, Key West, and Guantanamo. The Navy required these stations transmit and receive at a 1000-mile minimum distance. This was untested technology never attempted in tropical conditions and only briefly achieved during ideal weather in the north. By the end of 1905, all three installations were successfully completed and fully operational. In Guantanamo Secretary of State Wm. Howard Taft personally congratulated him on the achievement. Previously he and his crews among the many challenges overcame undiscovered technical problems, severe weather, difficult living conditions and certain resistance from a Guantanamo Naval Commander. In early 1906 with the completion of the Naval contract he was offered the position of Technical Director to Lee DeForest at The Deforest Wireless Co. in N.Y.C. On March 31, 1906 he telegraphed, from a newly built wireless station at Manhattan Beach, a historic wireless message of 1000 words to Glengarrif, Ireland. There DeForest and Alexander Graham Bell received 572 words from their receiver connected to an antenna wire held aloft by one of Bell’s experimental tetrahedral kites. This signaling across the Atlantic Ocean was a significant achievement for the DeForest equipment and proved superiority over Marconi’s claim of a few years earlier when he reportedly sent the letter “S” (three dots) across the Atlantic. Troubles, however, were stirring at DeForest Wireless and in the summer of 1906 DeForest was frozen out of his company. As a result Frank was offered DeForest’s position but he resigned from the firm out of loyalty to DeForest. Both Lee DeForest and Frank had very little funds. Frank joined DeForest later in 1906 and worked together with he and his brother Charles in their dusty attic laboratory in the Parker Building in NYC. Frank, as DeForest’s assistant, helped DeForest perform experiments in an effort to find a better “wireless detector”. During this time he was witness to and participated in the discovery of the “Audion” tube. This, also known as the first radio tube was the genesis of wireless voice and music transmission. This was the birth of RADIO and Frank was the first to hear it. DeForest patented the Audion on January 29,1907. During the following months further experimentation and refinement to the fledgling invention or “Wireless Telephone” ensued. In June they decided to try a musical broadcast with the new device and learned that it was indeed heard by Navy wireless operators in the Brooklyn Yard who thought the song “Il Trovatore” must have been “the angel’s singing”. They then seized an opportunity to demonstrate the new invention by successfully broadcasting the results of the Put-In-Bay, Ohio Yacht Regatta held during the week of July 15th through July 20th. With Lee DeForest broadcasting from the yacht, Thelma, to Frank Butler receiving on land they made the first ship to shore voice broadcast as well as the first sports broadcast in history. In 1999 the Ohio Historical Society erected a marker on this site to commemorate this historic event. After the Regatta, Frank set up the world’s first broadcasting station in downtown Toledo between the Ohio Building and the Nicholas Building to demonstrate the new technology as well as support the sale of stock in DeForest’s newly formed “Radio Telephone Company”. Throughout the remainder of 1907 and 1908 he and DeForest showed the world its first demonstrations of the new wireless telephone at the annual Electrical Show in Chicago as well as securing and fulfilling a contract to supply Admiral Evans fleet, 26 ships, with the newly developed equipment on a very tight schedule before the fleet took off on their world tour. While in Chicago both Lee and Frank learned of the total destruction of the Parker Building in New York which decimated DeForest’s laboratory housing all the original notes and experiments leading to the Audion tube. During this time wireless operators and engineers were in high demand and short supply. In early 1909 Frank started the American Wireless Institute with offices in Detroit and New York. This school later morphed in to the RCA institute. Deforest’s Radio Telephone Company, through malfeasance of the officers, went bankrupt just as the federal government (U.S. Post Office) was widely and aggressively pursuing unscrupulous usage of the U.S. mail to sell fraudulent wireless stock. In 1913 Lee DeForest was indicted and Frank Butler was subpoenaed to testify against him. Frank’s testimony proved instrumental in acquitting DeForest. The early years of wireless left a deep impression on the balance of Frank’s career. He later became involved in sales and marketing in the radio industry. He also wrote dozens of magazine and technical publication articles on early wireless as well as newer radio technology. In the early 1930’s he patented a revolutionary loud speaker system that utilized sound percussion to amplify sound acoustically and spent several years through the support of investors building, experimenting, and demonstrating a working prototype. He frequently spoke at the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) gatherings about his first-hand experience with DeForest. He was a zealous advocate for the accurate portrayal of early radio history and promoted Lee DeForest as the true Father of the Electronic Age from which we all benefit today. During the latter years of his life Frank, with the endorsement and verification from DeForest, created accurate replicas of the series of experiments leading to the Audion tube while also finalizing the last pages of his autobiography. He remained a tirelessly loyal and dedicated friend to Lee DeForest up to the end of his life. In December of 1906 Frank married Luella Manning and in 1914 and 1916 respectively they had a daughter Jane and a son Robert. Frank was a self-made, self-taught individual. In addition to being dedicated to his family he was a talented author, poet, and artist; he was an inventor who held several patents; he proved to be a remarkable technician achieving many historical firsts; he was an optimist who never gave up, who developed his own philosophy of success and life based on a trilogy of “Vision, Faith, and Determination”. When he died on January 6, 1948 he was prominent enough to rate an obituary 15 1⁄2 inches long in the New York Times. Frank’s autobiography, “The Standby” is to be published by the Antique Wireless Association. In it he writes fondly of the “mystic triangle” formed by Bellevue, Milan & Monroeville. It is here in this homeland, “The Firelands”, where historic men from this area inspired him: Edison, Flagler, Harkness, and Rockefeller, and where he often looked back at his humble happy beginnings in Monroeville for comfort and fond remembrance.
Donna Lund Ott – Alumni / Faculty / Community Member
Donna Ott is the daughter of W. Nels and Dorthy Lund. Donna has one brother Thomas Lund. She resides in rural Monroeville with her husband and 1961 Monroeville High School classmate Linus W. Ott. They will celebrate 50 years of marriage in November 2015. They have three grown children, Mimi (Paul) Ott, MHS class of 1984: Kelly (Michael) Smith, MHS class of 1988, and Jason (Kimberly) Ott, MHS class of 1991. The family includes fifteen grandchildren, one MHS graduate class of 2013, and another a member of the 2015 senior class. Others attend area schools including St. Joseph Elementary, Norwalk Catholic Schools, and Norwalk City Schools. Donna attended Monroeville Public Schools for all twelve years in the same building. The year her class moved into 7th grade (1955-56) they opened the new K-6 elementary building. High School highlights included May Day, GRA, noon volleyball games, winning the Norwalk Driving Rodeo, yearbook staff, class treasurer junior and senior year, alternate to Buckeye Girls State, female lead in the junior class play, and seeing the start of eleven man football in the fall of 1960. Helen Payne recognized early Donna’s interest in sports. Helen wrote in Donna’s senior yearbook, “Best of luck, hope you finish in P.E.!” Donna earned her Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education from Baldwin Wallace College in 1965. She taught at Amherst Exempted Village Schools, Berlin-Milan Local School and began at Monroeville Elementary School in the fall of 1970, retiring in November of 1996. Donna taught elementary physical education all 24 years. With Title IX in the fall of 1975 she became Monroeville’s first girls volleyball coach. In her first season the team finished 7-2 and was the regular season champion. In the spring of 1976 she became the first girls track coach. During her coaching years Donna had many athletes achieve success and laid the foundation for a volleyball program that has become one of the strongest in the area and has a proud tradition. In 1986 she became Junior and Senior High Athletic Director, a position she held for 10 years. As Athletic Director, Donna was instrumental in the creation of MCAL. The Monroeville Community Athletic League was developed as a way to allow the students of St. Joseph’s and Monroeville to compete together in the OHSAA, (Ohio High School Athletic Association). This was a unique organization that at one time was the only one in the state and one that created opportunities for community children that would not have been possible otherwise. Additionally, Donna started the first Golf team at MHS, which lasted until 1998. The athletic department under Donna built a strong reputation for integrity, sportsmanship, class, and treating others right. Donna’s tough but fair approach to athletes, coaches, and colleagues earned her their respect and admiration. One former student summed up Donna’s impact on the student population. I remember all the activities that Mrs. Ott taught us growing up from jumping rope to organized sports, such as football, basketball and volleyball. She held many remembered tournaments but I mostly remember the track and field days that came at the end of the year for the 3rd through 6th graders. Her competitive teaching approach worked really well with her upbeat attitude. But it wasn’t always fun and games. The gym was Mrs. Ott’s second home and she taught us respect. Respect the equipment, the facility, but most of all your opponent. I learned this at a young age thanks to Mrs. Ott. She respected each and every person who she taught, no matter what physical talent the student had and in return we respected her. During my High School years, I can’t remember one game or event that Mrs. Ott was not present for. She was and is an icon at MHS. Prior to becoming Athletic Director she held many positions. She served as president of the Monroeville Teachers Association, taught at St. Joseph Elementary for two years, taught drivers education, drove school bus, helped at athletic contests running game clocks, keeping sports books, manning admission gates and was instrumental in the start and running of MCAL. Since retiring she and her husband have become snowbirds, spending winters in Fort Myers, FL. As the grandchildren grow up she enthusiastically attends their activities. Donna continues to be active for her Monroeville High School graduating class. The Class of `1961 has a proud tradition of celebrating at regular reunions. She has served on the planning committees and is the current treasurer. “Monroeville is a remarkable community, thank you for enriching my life.” – Donna Lund Ott
Dave Keszei - Alumni
Dave was born in Norwalk, OH and graduated from Monroeville High School in 1985. While at Monroeville he participated in football, baseball and basketball. As a senior he received offensive player of the year honors in football and was First Team All-Conference in both football and baseball. Dave was also a member of the 1984 state championship basketball team, and represented his graduating class as class President. After high school he attended Bowling Green State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989. Upon graduation, Dave was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and assigned to “The Basic School”, for newly commissioned Marine officers. Upon completion, he was assigned to Marine Air Training and Support Group, Pensacola, FL for Naval Aviation Flight School, primary flight training in the T-34C aircraft. During primary flight training Dave was awarded the “Commodore’s Award”, given to those Naval Aviation students whose primary grades placed them in the top 10% of all students attending primary flight training. Upon completion, Dave was assigned to fly jets and reported to Meridian, Mississippi for intermediate and advanced jet training, flying the T-2 Buckeye and A-4 Skyhawk aircraft. During advanced jet training in the A-4, Dave was awarded “Top Bomb” and “Top Hook” given to the top aerial bombing and top aircraft carrier landing student in advanced jets. Upon completion of his training in May 1992 he was designated a Naval Aviator, and assigned to VMFAT_101, El Toro, CA for follow-on training in the F/A 18 Hornet Strike/Fighter aircraft. During his training in the F/A-18 Dave was again awarded “Top Bomb” and “Top Carrier Pilot” in his class and was subsequently assigned to VMFA-314, the “Black Knights”, a single-seat, Marine Corps fighter squadron located in El Toro, CA. Upon checking into his squadron, VMFA-314 was assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nuclear Aircraft Carrier based in Alameda, CA and sent to the Persian Gulf to conduct air missions in support of Operation Southern Watch. During his time in the Persian Gulf, Dave flew more than 20 strike sorties and had more than 100 carrier landings, earning a “Top 10” award, given to pilots whose landing grades were in the top 10% of the entire air wing aboard the ship. While in the Persian Gulf, the USS Lincoln’s Battle Group was re-assigned to conduct operations off the coast of Somalia in response to deteriorating conditions and 2 Black hawk Helicopters being shot down, along with the military personnel taken prisoner by Somali warlords. While in Somalia, Dave served as the “Close Air Liaison” officer helping teach Special Operations Forces how to utilize the USS Abraham Lincoln’s aircraft against ground targets in Mogadishu, Somalia. Upon return to El Toro, Dave was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA as the Battalion Air Officer, teaching ground Marines how to conduct Close Air support missions utilizing fixed wing aircraft, rotary wing aircraft and artillery, as well as how to utilize laser guided weapons to strike ground targets. In the fall of 1996 Dave was assigned back to VMFA-314, the Black Knights, as the squadron’s Pilot Training Officer and Weapons and Tactics Instructor, overseeing all pilot qualifications and service as the subject matter expert for all air-to-ground and air-to-air tactics. He was selected for, and attended, the highly coveted, Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course in Yuma, AZ, as well as attending the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School and Marine Corps Division Tactics Leader’s course. Once again, VMFA-314 deployed to the Persian Gulf, this time on board the USS Nimitz nuclear aircraft carrier, in support of Operation Southern Watch. Dave again accumulated more than 290 strike sorties and more than 100 carrier landings, as well as another “Top 10” landing grade award. While on the USS Nimitz, Dave led more than a dozen NATO strike missions as mission commander: some consisting of more than 100 planes in the strike package. Dave left active duty in 1999 and as hired with Continental Airlines as a First Officer, flying the Boeing 737 aircraft. He was also selected to continue flying the F/A-18 Hornet squadron out of Andrews Air Force Base Maryland. In 2002 Dave was recalled to Marine Corps active duty and promoted to Major. He was assigned to Reserve Headquarters Marine Corps, Quantico, VA and helped design and implement the Marine for Life program, a transition program for active duty Marines leaving the Marine Corps and entering civilian life. In 2002, Dave was assigned as the acting Commanding Officer for the Detachment Communications Company (-), H&S Battalion, 4th Marine Division Reserve Unit in Cincinnati, OH as they geared up for deployment to Afghanistan in support of combat operations. He left active duty in 2004 and in 2009 retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of Major and 22 years of service. During his career Dave was awarded two Navy Commendation medals, two Air Medal/Strike Flight Awards for combat sorties and has more than 300 carrier landings, (with more than 100 at night), along with more than 1500 flight hours in the F/A-18 Hornet. As a civilian pilot he has more than 600 hours in the Boeing 737 aircraft. In 2002 Dave was admitted to the Xavier University, Executive MBA program and graduated Cum Laude in 2004, while still on active duty. While in the EMBA program he was asked by the Dean of the Williams College of Business, Xavier University to form the first ever “Corporate Connections” office inside the business school. In addition, Dave developed and managed the Williams College of Business MBA Professional Development Center and co-developed the Xavier Executive Education division, Xavier Leadership Center (XLC). In 2009, Dave was again asked by the Xavier leadership to form the first ever Veterans Affairs division at Xavier University. Currently, Dave is a Clinical Professor at the University of San Diego where he teaches Information Technology Management at the undergraduate level and Project Management in the Masters of Science, Global Leadership, at the graduate level. He is also a Doctoral student at the Edinburgh Business School, Edinburgh Scotland. Dave is the son of Emery Keszei and Lorna Keszei. Lorna is a graduate of Monroeville High School and resides in the village. He is married to the former Stacy Biernacki, from Colorado Springs, a former Division 1 athlete at Colorado State and currently a Senior Sales Manager with Johnson & Johnson, Medical Device division. They have two children, David Henry and Jasmine Xavier.
Laurie Clayton Haughawout – Alumni/Community Member
Laurie is the daughter of Agnes Clayton Balduff and the late John Clayton. Laurie’s siblings are Amy Clayton Weisenberger, Beth Clayton Fritz and John Clayton. She is a 1980 graduate of Monroeville then attended Heidelberg College earning a Physical Education degree for K-12 in 1984. In 2000 she received her Master’s Degree from the Ashland University. Laurie has been married to Kim Haughawout for 30 years. They have two sons, Tyler and Andrew. Tyler is a 2010 graduate of Monroeville and a graduate of Bowling Green State University. He is currently employed at Clyde Elementary School as a third grade Special Education teacher. Andrew is a 2014 graduate of Monroeville and is currently attending Bowling Green State University studying Special Education. While in high school Laurie participated in Basketball (4 yrs.), Band (4 yrs.), JV volleyball (1 yr.), and Track statistician (1 yr.). Laurie was the first girl at Monroeville to earn four Varsity Letters in a sport and the first girl to score 1,000 points in basketball. She was voted the “Most Athletic and Fun Person” by classmates her senior year. Listed in Who’s Who among American High School Students and selected to the American High School Athletes for the 1979-80 school year. Laurie was an outstanding basketball player during her high school career (1976-1980). She set many records during her career, some of which still stand: Most points in one game, 34, that held for 27 years (This was before the 3 point line was implemented) She also has the most assists for a career. Laurie scored over 1000 points in her career, the first to do so and a record that stood for many years. During her freshman year, 1976-77, Laurie had a game high of 20 points and a total of 137 points for the season. The Varsity team was Sectional Champions. The head coach was Sarah Rupert. As a sophomore, 1977-78, Laurie was named Team Captain. She had several 20+ point games with a total of 233 points for the season. She had an average of 13 points per game with 41 percent shooting from the field. The best free throw shooter on the team with 63 percent and finished the season with 51 steals. Coaches were Penny Moore, Susan Tiffany and Ralph Ritzenthaler. Laurie was named Second Team All Firelands Conference. Her junior year, 1978-79, was exceptional for Laurie as a team Captain. She had a game high of 23 points with a total of 289 points for the season. Laurie shot 50 percent from the field and foul line. She finished the season with 161 assists. Honors bestowed upon her were; First Team Firelands Conference; Co-Most Valuable Player and Honorable Mention - District IV. The team won the school’s first Firelands Conference Championship for Girls basketball with a 13-1 record in conference play. Miss Payne made gold Firelands Conference Crowns for the team. The team was ranked sixteenth in the Class A state polls, Sectional Champs and District runner-ups, and was selected as a High School All-American Team. The head coach was Tom Diringer. Laurie was again a team Captain her senior year, 1979-80. She had a game high of 34 points, a school record, with games of 29 and 27 points as well finishing the season with 461 points. Laurie was the leading scorer in the conference and fourth in the Erie/Huron area. She was named Firelands Conference Player of the Year; First Team Conference; Special Mention Fourth District, and Honorable Mention State. The team finished second in the conference. They won the Sectional Championship finishing with a 14-6 record. The head coach was Wally Kessling. An article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer made note of the fact that 3 of the 5 starters were left-handed. Joe Centers wrote an article titled “She is a Terrific Competitor” obviously referring to Laurie. The biggest fans for the team were the fathers of the girls that were on the team and they always sat together on the front row of the bleachers. They were John Clayton father of Laurie Clayton Haughawout and Beth Clayton Fritz, Tom Zipfel father of Lori Zipfel Koontz, Jim Hohler father of Molly Hohler Fritz, and Alf Schafer father of Patti Schafer Whitacre. Laurie was recruited by Muskingum University but chose to attend Heidelberg University in Tiffin. At Heidelberg her freshman year Laurie had game highs of 29 and 26 points. She was the second leading scorer on the team with an average of 10 points per game. She shot 38 percent from the field and 55 percent from the free throw line. Her coach stated that Laurie was a great all-around player and her best player. During her sophomore year Laurie averaged 18.1 points per game, scoring 252 points in fourteen games making her 30th in the NCAA in scoring. She set the assist record for the season, was ranked 13th in free throw percentage with a 52.7 percent. She was named Most Valuable Player of the team. During her junior year the team finished with the best record to date, 17 and 5. According to Coach Warner, Laurie “Shrimp” Clayton helped with her fine outside shooting. Laurie was named first team all-tournament. Laurie did not play basketball her senior year due to academics and a student teaching schedule that made her unable to attend team practice. Laurie also played three years of Varsity Softball at Heidelberg and was a four year member of the Delta Sigma Chi Sorority and held office at different times during her membership in the sorority. Following graduation from Heidelberg with a degree in teaching (K-12), Laurie started her career part time at Norwalk City Schools and St. Joseph Catholic Schools for ten years. She then was hired full time at Norwalk where she has taught for the past twenty years. Laurie coached one year of Varsity basketball at Norwalk High School, seven years Junior High Track and four years Junior High Basketball at Monroeville. She volunteered for MCAL and the Monroeville Athletic boosters for over twenty-five years and was involved in several community projects for both Monroeville and St Joseph Schools. She was also involved on several church committees at St. Joseph School while her sons were in attendance. Her retirement begins at the end of the 2014-15 school year.
Dick Miller - Alumni
Dick is the son of Millie and the late Arden Miller. He has an older sister, Peggy, and three older brothers, Denny, Tom and Steve. Dick attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School until the 8th grade and then attended Monroeville High School. He graduated in 1971. While a student at MHS, Dick was heavily involved in both student life and athletics. He was freshman class president and attended Buckeye Boys State in 1970. He was voted Best All Around Male Student by the faculty his senior year. Additionally, Dick was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball and baseball. Dick played both basketball and baseball all four years of high school. He was named the team MVP in baseball his senior year. In basketball, Dick set the rebounding record for a single game with 27 rebounds against Mapleton. His senior year, he was voted All-Conference and team MVP. Dick only played football his senior year but made an immediate impact. He led the team in tackles from the linebacker position with 92, and led the conference in punting with an average of 43.2 yards per punt. At the end of the year Dick was named Best Defensive Player, All-Conference and All-State at offensive tackle. After high school Dick received a football scholarship to attend Ashland College, not Ashland University, where he lettered all four years. In 1971, as a defensive end, he was voted outstanding freshman lineman. In 1972, as a sophomore linebacker, Dick led the defense on the first undefeated team in school history, 11-0. The team also had the number 1 ranked defense in the nation, with Dick leading the nation in tackles with 144. As a result, Dick was the team’s Outstanding Defensive Back in 1972. After another fine year in 1973, Dick led the team in tackles with 130 and was once again named the team’s Outstanding Defensive Back. He was also named to the All American Team as a linebacker. The 1974 season was one of change for Dick. After starting the season at linebacker for 4 games, Dick played one game at defensive tackle and six games at defensive end in order to fill in for injured teammates. The end of the year saw him named the team’s Outstanding Defensive Lineman and also an All American at defensive end. Dick’s senior year was capped off with a trip to the All Ohio Shrine Bowl where he led the team in tackles as a defensive end and linebacker. Dick was named to the Outstanding College Athletes of America in 1973, 1974, & 1975. Dick ended his college career at Ashland as the second all-time leader in tackles and was inducted into Ashland’s Hall of Fame in 2005. After being offered a contract by the Cincinnati Bengals, Dick decided to play professionally for the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis Tennessee. After 10 games, Dick was leading the team in tackles where his season and career was ended by an injury Dick has been married to his wife, Jacki, for 25 years. They reside in Dover, Arkansas and have two children, Bailee who is 23 and Carson who is 18. After being fortunate enough to be a stay at home dad for his kids while they were young, Dick now works for K-Hott Inc., which is a pipeline, services company for the natural gas industry. In 1999 Dick helped his wife Jacki, a physical therapist, start and operate Special Equestrians of Arkansas. SEA was a nonprofit organization that provided physical therapy to handicapped children on horseback. Dick continues to pursue athletics. As a runner he completed multiple 5 and 10 K’s, 2 half marathons and one marathon. Currently he pursues cycling with his wife and has completed multiple century rides. (100 miles) They plan to complete many more. He also continues to support his children in their running, cycling and triathlon pursuits.
Sandy Stieber Pressler – Alumni
Sandy is the daughter of Thomas and Diane Stieber and sister of Tracy. Sandy attended St. Joseph’s before graduating from Monroeville High School in 1988. She is married to Jason Pressler and they have two children, Thomas 17 and Sophia 14, who attend Bellevue Public Schools. This year Sandy and her husband will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. During her years at Monroeville High School Sandy was involved in numerous activities and sports. She was a two-sport athlete competing in volleyball and track. Additionally, Sandy was involved in cheerleading, Girls State, Class President her Junior Year, National Honor Society, Key Club, FFA, and was on the honor roll. She was Homecoming Queen her senior year and was a finalist in America’s Homecoming Queen Pageant, appearing in Teen Magazine. In Track, Sandy qualified for four events at the District Meet and the Regional Meet her senior year. Volleyball was always her passion and while at Monroeville, Sandy earned numerous accolades. Her junior year, she was Second Team All Firelands Conference, First Team All Academic, and Honorable Mention District VI. As a senior, Sandy was First Team Firelands Conference, First Team All Academic, Firelands Conference Player of the Year and First Team District VI. Sandy’s athletic accomplishments gained her the attention of several colleges interested in her competing for them. Youngstown State University, a Division I School, offered a sports and academic scholarship that afforded her the opportunity to earn a business degree while playing varsity volleyball at the highest level. Sandy played for YSU from 1988-1991. While she was there she was the captain of the team for 2 years and she provided outstanding leadership for the team. Sandy left her mark on the volleyball program ending her career as the school’s leader in kills and digs. Sandy finished her career with 798 kills on 2,073 attempts for a .244 hitting percentage. She had 950 digs, 112.5 total blocks, including 68 solos and 64 service aces in 415 games played in her four years. Her senior year in 1991 was the most productive and she was named YSU’s 1991-92 The Vindicator Scholar-Athlete of the Year. As a team captain, she had career-high 283 kills in 477 attempts for a hitting percentage of .228. She averaged 2.5 kills per game during the season. She set a then school record with 350 digs while finishing with 22 service aces. At one point during her career, Stieber made the second round of tryouts for the under-20 U.S. National Team. She graduated from YSU “Cum Laude” with a degree in Business Marketing/Management. In 2006, Sandy was inducted into the Youngstown State Hall of Fame, recognizing that she held the school record for kills and digs. Sandy returned to her Alma Mater to coach Monroeville’s Volleyball team from 1997 to 2006. The first several years were rebuilding years working on fundamentals and establishing a solid program. In 2001 the team finished second in the Firelands Conference with a 17-7 overall record. In 2003 the team had an 11 game winning streak and finished 14 – 7. This team also ended St Paul’s 50 game winning streak and beat the Firelands Conference Co-champion Western Reserve. The 2004 Team posted an overall record of 18-3 winning the first sectional title in 15 years. That year Sandy shared the District VI “Coach of the Year” honors with Bill Cramer and Steve Hoffbauer. The next year the team won another Sectional title finishing 16-5. In 2006, Sandy’s final season, the team finished second in the conference with an 11-2 conference record and 16-5 overall. In her coaching career at Monroeville, Sandy won over 100 games as a head coach leaving due to her children being old enough to be competing in their own activities. Presently Sandy is working for S.A. Comunale Inc. as an inspection sales representative, utilizing her marketing and business degree. This is Sandy’s third year with the company and everyday is different with a new set of challenges. With a solid background from her family, education, and community, she looks forward to meeting the future challenges of life. Sandy wants to thank everyone at Monroeville for the honor and privilege of becoming an Inductee to the Monroeville Hall of Fame in 2014. It was a complete surprise and humbling experience to be remembered in this way.
Alf Schafer – Alumni / Community Member
A trip through the small community of Monroeville may be a short drive but it reveals the many projects that Alf Schafer has been involved in. Born and raised in Monroeville, Alf has been part of many projects in the community that his family has called home. Alf graduated from Monroeville High School in 1950 after which he served in the United States Coast Guard for three years on weather patrol in the North Atlantic. After returning from duty, he married Barbara Gies from Norwalk. They were married for 56 years before her passing in 2011. They have three daughters, Linda Hohler, Pat Whitacre and Jane Hedrick as well as four sons, Ken, Don, Dave and Tom. All have stayed in the area in large part because of his love of family and community. Alf has 22 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren who have witnessed first hand his dedication and commitment to Monroeville. Alf has used his 42 years of experience in construction, many as Partner at Knob Hill Construction, to contribute to projects through out the community. Marsh Field is a location dear to his heart, as he has had many children and grandchildren compete at the complex. He has worked with other members of the community to help build the press box, then tennis courts, the shelter house, and the bleachers. He was instrumental in the bleacher stairway project because he felt it would enable all community members the ability to access the bleachers safely. He also has given many hours to St. Joseph Church and School. He served on the St. Joseph Building Committee for 43 years helping to guide the renovation of the church and school as well as working with many others to construct the storage building, the basketball courts, the handicap entrance to the social hall and restrooms. You can see his mark throughout the St. Joseph Parish campus. Working with many community members who are also dedicated to Monroeville Public Schools, he helped lay brick for the Jason Charles Poths Memorial Building and the masonry sign for Monroeville High School. He is a past President of the Monroeville Boosters and has enjoyed donating his time to the school district where all seven of his children attended. Alf also was Monroeville’s district representative to the Advisory Council when EHOVE Career Center was created. Alf has also been involved in organizations in the village. He has donated his carpentry and masonry skills to the American Legion. He is a past President of Post 547 and was selected as honorary parade Grand Marshall in 2013. He was president of the Monroeville Kiwanis Club and worked with this late wife Barb on the community birthday calendar or many years. Alf Schafer is a hardworking, family man who has been an inspiration to his family and the Monroeville community where many are proud to call the small village “home”. Alf’s dedication will not only live on through his many projects within the small community but also through his most proud venture, his family.
Paul Roeder – Alumni
Paul was born on May 2, 1958 to Charles and Ann Roeder. Paul is the oldest of 5 siblings, Pam, Alan, Kevin, and Bill. Paul attended St. Joseph Catholic School through the 8th grade and graduated from Monroeville High School in 1976. Paul was a member of the National Honor Society and earned 3 varsity letters in both basketball and track. For a number of years Paul held the school record in the high jump at 6’1”. In basketball, Paul made the 1973-74 varsity team as a sophomore and broke into the starting lineup the 5th game of his sophomore season. The team was led by Joe Moore and finished 2nd in the Fireland’s Conference with a conference record of 12-2 and a season record of 15-4. IN 1974-75 Paul’s junior year, Joe Sprowl who was the Firelands Conference Player of the Year led the team. Monroeville won the Firelands Conference with a record of 13-1 and finished 17-3 overall. The 1975-76 team was, at the time, the best team in the history of Monroeville. They won the Firelands Conference with a record of 14-0 and finished with a regular season record of 17-1. They then went on to win the sectional and district championship. In the regional semi-final they defeated Cuyahoga Heights 83-81 before losing in the regional final, at the Canton Field house, to Wyndam 63-62. That Monroeville team, coached by Harry Garverick, finished the season 22-2. The captains on that team were Ken Leber, Garry Schaffer, and Paul. Other members of that squad were Burl Nesbitt, Mark Bores, Jerry Usselman, Tim Haughawout, Paul Cherry, Darrell Stein and Art Miller. In Paul’s basketball career at Monroeville, he scored 1,015 points, then a school record. Paul currently holds the single season scoring record of 512 points in 1975-76, for an average of 21.3 points per game. In 1975-76, Paul was named Firelands Conference Player of the Year, 1stteam All-District and 2nd Team All-Ohio. Paul started 59 consecutive games and in those games, Monroeville won 52 times and only lost 7. During that period Monroeville never lost a home game and had a record of 25-0. Upon graduation, Paul received a full athletic scholarship to attend Henry Ford Community College, in Dearborn, Michigan. Paul started 2 years at Henry Ford and the team reached a ranking of #2 in the country. After 2 years at Henry Ford, Paul received a full athletic scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University, a Division 1 college, located in Hammond, Louisiana. Paul was the starting small forward for Southeastern in his senior season before a knee injury ended is college career. Paul graduated from Southeastern in 1980 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting and has enjoyed a successful business career. Out of college, Paul worked for four years for the national accounting firm of Ernst & Young in Toledo and passed his CPA exam. At age 27, Paul became the Chief Financial Officer for Davon Inc., a privately held construction materials company located in Columbus, Ohio. Paul was with Davon for 15 years and his responsibilities included the management of the Accounting, Human Resources and the Information Technology departments. He was a member of the Executive team that grew the business from $12 million in 1985 to $50 million in sales in 2000. Davon was sold in 2000 for $100 million. In 2001, the acquiring company, Lehigh Hanson, a global leader in construction materials, named Paul the General Manager of its southern Ohio Ready Mix Concrete and Building Material operations. For the past 12 years Paul has been responsible for all aspects of the business unit. In addition, Paul has been active in promotion of ready mix concrete in the state of Ohio through the state trade association, Ohio Ready Mix Concrete Association. Paul was the first non-owner in the 75-year history of the association elected Chairman of the Board. During his time as Chairman, Paul was instrumental in reinventing the association to include all concrete related companies in the state. This collaboration significantly increased membership and dues revenue which provided the necessary funding for the increased promotion efforts that has enabled Ohio to be the 4th largest producer of ready mix concrete in the United States and has made the new association, Ohio Concrete, arguably the strongest state concrete association in the country. In 1978 Paul married his high school sweetheart, the former Denise Bragg. They have been married for 34 wonderful years and have 2 beautiful daughters, Becky and Brittany, both of whom enjoyed successful high school basketball careers. Becky graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2004 and Brittany from The Ohio State University in 2007. Both girls are married, Becky to Bart Sparhawk and has a daughter, Blake. Brittany is married to Brian Peck and they have a son, Cooper. Paul has been active in coaching youth sports in Worthington, Ohio. In 1994 Paul started and coached the 6th grade girls traveling basketball program for the Worthington Youth Boosters, which continues today. For years, Paul was the President of the Worthington Kilbourne High School girls basketball parent support group and Vice-President for the Wolves Inc., the parent support group fort he Kilbourne’s 28 sports programs. Paul is a member of St. Peter Catholic Church and is active with the Knights of Columbus council. Paul and Denise currently reside in Columbus, Ohio.
Mike Adelman – Alumni/Community Member
Mike Adelman is the son of Alvin and Ruth. Mike has 4 brothers, Dan, Dave, Bob, Ray and 2 sisters Amy, Ann. Mike married his high school sweetheart Melodie, a 1970 Monroeville High School graduate, in 1971. They have five children, Christine, Cheryl, Allan, Ronald and Daryl (All MHS alumni) and 11 grandchildren. Mike attended St. Joseph’s elementary school and then graduated from Monroeville High School in 1968 after participating in basketball, baseball, football, and track. He was involved in student plays and enjoyed civics and government class. After high school Mike went to work for Chef’s Pantry, a company that supplied food to restaurants, hospitals, schools and other businesses. He worked in the sales department and covered the territory that included the Bowling Green and Findlay areas. It was during his time at Chef’s Pantry that Mike had his first experience with broadcasting. In 1975, while driving between business calls, Mike heard WLKR advertising for someone to announce and call games. While he had never done this before, Mike had always loved sports and felt he had good knowledge to draw from. After presenting himself to WLKR and explaining his background and lack of any broadcasting experience, he was immediately hired and within days calling his first football game. Interestingly, that game was a tape delay football game between Danbury and Monroeville. For the next 38 years Mike made a new home on the radio. In 1980, WLKR had a full time marketing and broadcasting position and he left Chef’s Pantry to take the job. After only a year at WLKR a group of people started a new radio station in the county, WSWR. Mike was approached by this group and offered a marketing/broadcasting position, which he took. Working at WSWR for the next 17 years, Mike became a fixture on High School athletic broadcasts. On any given Friday night, Mike could be heard calling area football and basketball games. It was only in 1998, when WSWR changed hands and management made the decision to drop their athletic coverage, that Mike made the decision to leave. Fortunately for Mike, WLKR had also had management changes and his former position in marketing and broadcasting was available and he went back to work where he had started 23 years earlier. Mike still works at WLKR and continues to be one of the respected voices of high school sports. Throughout Mike’s life, there is one word that adequately describes his focus and dedication and that is service. Since his teenage days of sitting in Bill Henrie’s government classes at Monroeville High School, Mike has had a desire to be involved in government and politics. It was shortly after his graduation from high school that Mike was approached to run for Village Council. In 1971, the age to vote was 21, and being 21 Mike was hesitant to run. After some convincing, he ran in his first race and won by 3 votes, becoming one of the youngest elected council members in village history. Mike served from 1972-76, but his job at Chef’s Pantry kept him away days at a time and made it very challenging to continue on council. Though he was not serving on council, Mike continued to work with the Parks and Rec department, something that he had been doing since he finished high school. Mike worked tirelessly organizing, restructuring, managing, and even coaching summer league baseball teams. At a time when area teams were beginning to focus more on playing other teams from their towns and fewer teams that required travel, Mike helped to transform the summer league from one team of 10 through 12 year olds to several teams centered around children with similar ages. The summer league had been in existence before Mike’s involvement but his work helped to establish the league as it currently is today, expanding T-ball, coach pitch, and softball. Using his marketing skills, Mike was able to line up sponsors to help provide money for uniforms and other expenses. Also, during this time period, Mike also took on the same responsibilities with the boys peewee basketball program at the school. But it was in 1986 that Mike with the help of a couple of other community members rescued junior high sports. Because of an Ohio High School Athletic Association rule, two schools with separate administrations and Principals could not compete together as one athletic team. Prior to this ruling, St. Joseph and Monroeville schools had competed under the banner of Monroeville Schools but this ruling threatened to destroy those teams by removing half of it’s membership and putting both schools in the position of being unable to field teams. At Father Ringholz’s urging Mike, a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s, and a couple of other individuals quickly put together the Monroeville Community Athletic League or MCAL. This independent governing body established a viable way for St. Joe’s and Monroeville kids to play together. MCAL raises all of it’s own funds and pays all of it’s coaches independently of both the private and public schools. It is because of this that they do not violate the OHSAA ruling. As of today, it is the only organization of it’s kind in the state. At this same time, Mike began to get back involved in politics. Running again and winning another seat on community council in 1986, Mike served Monroeville for the next 8 years. Over that time, he describes the work they did as that currently done by contemporary council members. Issues arose centered around shrinking budgets and increasing demands for services. Mike has always been proud of his work on council, helping to continue to provide good services to the citizens of Monroeville while attempting to stretch the tax dollars. One of the things that makes Monroeville unique is having it’s own water and electric departments providing those services on their own. Most small communities rely on outsiders to assist with those needs and are subject to their demands. Having their own, Monroeville has independence most villages their size do not. Having always desired a position as a County Commissioner, Mike made his first run for that job in 1998. Though he lost that race, Mike was elected to fill a vacated seat in 2000 and re-elected again in 2002 and 2006. For those 10 years Mike served the residents of Huron County the same way he served the residents and youth of Monroeville, tirelessly. Mike learned early on that while many said it was impossible to work with anyone at the county level, with frank discussions and an earnest willingness to get things done, cooperation was possible. It was this spirit of cooperation that led to a smart approach to renovations and expansion of the county offices and courthouse. Additional projects undertaken while Mike was a commissioner were the renovations done at the fairgrounds improving the electric and water service as well as improving the facilities. A large part of the commissioner’s responsibilities revolve around buildings and budgets. While there were tough economic times during Mike’s tenure, the commissioners were able to avoid some of the deeper cuts many counties were unable to. But what Mike is most proud of is the establishment of a scholarship, created with his commissioner salary, at each Huron county school in the name of he and his wife. Upon losing re-election in 2010, Mike was not done with public service and ran for and won the position of Mayor of Monroeville, which he is currently serving. Mike has served on numerous boards and charity organizations, including the Huron County Fair Board, the statewide County Commissioners Board, Services For The Aging Board and the Board of Trustees for Goodwill. Through out his life, Mike has dedicated himself to helping others and providing and improving services for those he has served. In his frequent visits to Mr. Paul’s government classes, Mike always urges students to value the quality education they receive at Monroeville, the place that gave all of Mike and Melodie’s children a solid foundation for their success. Similarly, he encourages them to appreciate the community they live in. A community in which people come together to support each other and lend a hand when it is necessary. This message of service is one that Mike continues to live in his personal life daily.
1980 FFA B.O.A.C Winner – Group or Team
In November of 1980, at the 53rd National FFA Convention in Kansas City, the Monroeville FFA chapters’ members brought home the gold as they proudly walked across the state in their National Blue and Corn Gold jackets in front of some 20,000 people in attendance. They had just won the National FFA Building Our American Communities (BOAC) Award. In winning the award the chapter was awarded a check for $200, a plaque and a large framed collage picture of their projects that compromised their project. In 1979 the chapter was also one of the top four regional winners at the National FFA Convention. The year was 1978 when members of the Monroeville FFA chapter started working on special community projects. There were about 60 members in grades 9-12 that worked on these community improvements under the supervision of their Vocational Agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor Gary Bauer. The BOAC program through the FFA provided FFA chapters with grant money to better their communities. By the time the FFA chapter finished their community improvement projects, nearly two years later the FFA chapter had received some $10,000 in grant money from the BOAC program. They worked with 20 organizations and about 4654 people, which included FFA members, parents, other community members and volunteers who all chipped in with their time, talent, and treasurers totaling up some 3,100 hours. The group started out the project by working with the Huron County Heritage group at the Huron County Fairgrounds. The heritage group wanted to build an agricultural heritage area dated back to the 1800’s and the FFA chapter was willing to help out! The first part of the project started out with the heritage group moving a large two-story 32x48 ft. barn. The FFA helped by residing the outside barn walls and re-shingling the roof. The next project for the youth was to bring in soil and level out the courtyard in between Monroeville High School and Elementary and then seed it. They landscaped the area and then the Industrial Arts students built benches, which created an area for students to take a break in the outside during school. Chapter members build footer and constructed a 10x20 greenhouse, which was used to learn about plant propagation. The FFA members raised spring plants and sold them along with poinsettias at Christmas time to raise funds for the FFA chapter. Next on the project list was to move and re-shingle a 100 yr. old corn crib and shop at the heritage site at the fairgrounds, the boards for these projects were sawed at the site by a steam powered mill. The Heritage site now had our buildings, the sawmill, the big barn, the corncrib and shop, now a house was needed to recreate a farm site from the 1800’s. The Heritage group searched for a house and it was found at the corner of Washington St. and Halfway Rd in Norwalk. The 1877 house was separated in three sections and moved to the fairgrounds and moved to the fairgrounds on top of the original foundation that was re-constructed. The house was set behind the Little Red School House, now making the Heritage site complete. By the time the 1979 county fair came around the house was pretty well set in place and some 30,000 viewed the heritage site during the fair. The area was complete with about 75 pieces of antique farm equipment from exhibitors and around the county and the display showed off some 25 pioneer crafts. The project drew lots of attention and was featured on a Cleveland TV show with host Del Donahoo. These FFA youth worked after school, weekends, and during their summer vacation with their hands and learning about how their ancestors lived and worked back in the 1800’s. When the FFA chapter won the award, a new paper quotes advisor Gary Bauer as saying “We will all look back 10, 20 and 30 years from now and say I helped build that.” The youth really did live by the FFA motto – Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live and living to serve. They did make a difference in their community and now 33 years later they are still being recognized for it. Members of the B.O.A.C winning group Advisor Gary Bauer Class of 1979 Class of 1981 Class of 1982 Class of 1983 Kurt Simon Gary Leber Chuck Heitz Tom Gates Barb Wilhelm Scott Leber Patty Hohler KludingTed Kluding Scott Miller Fred Leber Steve Kramer Class of 1980 Bob Schaffer Mark Munger Chuck Miller Adam HeymanGladden SevilleKevin Ott Jim Pierce Jean Riley RothRichard SevilleAllen Roth Kevin Roeder Jerry Ryan Doreen Simon LeitzSharon RugglesGary Schnee Kevin Ryan Dennis Smith Shannon Smith PerryChris Smith Bob Stieber Mike Stieber John Smith Tim Bragg Ed Wilhelm Todd Sparks Mike Burkett Jon Atherton Dan Stieber Charles DidionClaire Collins RyanMarty Beverick Steve GravenhorstJohn Gilbert Jim Brown Dave HamiltonDusty HamiltonJeff Burkett
Colonel David A. Krebs – Alumni
David Krebs is the son of Ronald and Nancy Krebs. Dave has a sister, Denise Reilly, and a brother Cale Krebs. David married his High School sweetheart Kim, a Monroeville High School graduate herself, and they have two daughters Allison and Paige. David attended Monroeville High School and while he was there he participated in several extra curricular activities. He was a four year athlete in both Track and Football, throwing shot and disc in the former and serving as Captain his Senior year in the latter. He wrestled his senior and was a two year member of the Firelands Challenge Team. He was also a National Honor Society member. He graduated in 1983. Col Krebs attended Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio where he graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education and Biology. After teaching at Galion High School for two years, he reported to Officer Candidates School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1989. Following the basic school, he reported to NAS Pensacola for Naval Aviator Training and then to NAS Corpus Christi where he received his wings in July 1992. Upon completion of flight training, he reported to VMGRT-253 at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina for training in the KC-130. Upon initial qualification, he reported to VMGR-252 where he served from July 1993 until Jul 1996. During the tour he served as Adjutant, Power Line Division Officer, Flight Duty Officer, and Flight Officer. He deployed in support of Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) QUICK RESPONSE (Liberia ‘96) and ASSURRED RESPONSE (NEO, Central African Republic ‘96). From August 1996 until July 1997, Capt Krebs attended the Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia and was designated an honor graduate. During July 1997, Capt Krebs reported to VMGR-352 MCAS El Toro and MCAS Miramar, California. Capt Krebs graduated Weapons and Tactics Instructor training and served as Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Training Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. He deployed in support of Operation EDGED MALLET (NEO Kenya ‘99) and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH (Kuwait, ‘00). From July 2000 until July 2001, Maj Krebs attended the Command and General Staff College with the US Army at Fort Leavenworth, KS. During the academic year he was selected for KC-130J conversion training. During July 2001, Major Krebs reported to VMGRT-253 MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. He received factory training in the new KC-130J and became 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s first instructor qualified in the KC-130J. He served as the DSS and KC-130J Fleet Introduction Team Operations Officer. During November 2002, Major Krebs reported to VMGR-252 MCAS Cherry Point, NC where he served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer during the squadron’s transition from the legacy aircraft to the KC-130J. During July 2004, Major Krebs reported to III Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Upon arrival, he was assigned as an individual augment in support of 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Al Asad, Iraq where he served as the Airfield Operations Officer. When he returned to Okinawa, Major Krebs assumed duties as Officer In Charge of 5th ANGLICO (minus) and later as the Executive Officer 5th ANGLICO. In July 2006, Lt Col Krebs took Command of VMGR-252. During his tenure, the squadron continuously deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and was recognized by the Marine Corps Aviation Association as the KC-130 Squadron of the Year for 2007. In July 2008, Lt Col Krebs moved to the National Capital Region and attended the National War College where he received a Master of Science in National Strategic Studies. Lt Col Krebs reported for duty with the Joint Staff, J5, Strategy and Policy directorate where he served as the Strategic Alignment Division Chief until June 2011. In August 2011 he was promoted to his current rank. Col David Krebs currently serves as the Aviation Colonels monitor, Headquarters Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia Col Krebs was recently selected to command Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG) 22 Corpus Christi, TX and will assume command during Jul 2012. MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Defense Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Sharon Mastroianni – Alumni/Community Member
Sharon Mastroianni, is the first female superintendent at EHOVE (Erie, Huron, Ottawa Vocational Education) Career Center. She resides in her hometown of Monroeville with her family. Sharon’s husband of 27 years, Douglas, is currently a Rural Mail Carrier for the Bellevue Post Office and a retired professional photographer. Their daughter Emily graduated from Monroeville in 2006 at the top of her class and graduated summa cum laude from Baldwin-Wallace College in 2010. She is currently enrolled in a PHD scholarship program at Ball State in Muncie, IN. Their son Adam graduated from Monroeville in 2010 at the top of his class and is currently a sophomore at Princeton University. Sharon was born in Monroeville to Pete and Theresa Schafer and grew up on Knob hill the second oldest in a family of six children. She graduated from St. Joseph elementary in 1972 and from Monroeville High School in 1976. At Monroeville High School Sharon enjoyed band, volleyball, and was a majorette. She performed in plays, was inducted in to the National Honor Society and was selected as the Senior Homecoming Attendant. Sharon was active in various groups during her high school years including Future Teachers of America. Sharon earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Masters of Education from Bowling Green State University in the 1980’s. She also earned a Specialist in Education from the University of Toledo. Sharon has been an adjunct professor for Ashland University since 2001. Sharon began her education career as an instructor working with students with severe mental and physical handicaps at Christie Lane School (Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities) in Norwalk. She then served as the Principal of Golden Rule School (Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities) in Cambridge, Ohio. In 1985 Sharon began her long career at EHOVE Career Center. From 1985-1996 she served as a Supervisor of special education. In 1996 Sharon was named as Career-Tech Director and then elevated to Superintendent in 2006. During her tenure at EHOVE Sharon has supervised a variety of areas including; academic courses as well as agriculture, marketing, career assessment, career development programs and specialized services for nontraditional and at-risk students. She has been actively involved with the implementation of High Schools That Work, a nationally recognized school reform initiative. Sharon was named as Supervisor of the Year by the Northwest region of the Ohio Association of Supervisors and Work Study Coordinators (OASWSC) in 1997. She was awarded the Supervisor of the Year by the Ohio Association of Vocational Special Needs Personnel in 1997 and the Vocational Pacesetter distinction in 1999. In 2001 Sharon received the Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Career and Technical Education, Special Needs Division. In 2005 she was honored by the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce who presented Sharon with the ATHENA Award. This Leadership Award is presented to a woman who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. In 2008 Sharon was awarded the Distinguished Alumna Award by BGSU-Firelands College. Sharon was one of only two career-technical educators to participate in Ohio’s Future At Work: Beyond 2000 task force. In 2000 she served on a national committee with twenty-five professionals from across the county to discuss, "The New Designs for Career and Technical Education at the Secondary Level". Sharon was selected to participate in two year-long leadership training programs: the Ohio Vocational Education Leadership Institute (OVELI) at the state level and in Project Leadership, a Huron county initiative. In 2011 Sharon was elected as the President of the Ohio Career-Technical Superintendents (OACTS) organization. She serves on a variety of Community Boards including; BGSU-Development Board, Fisher Titus Medical Center Finance Board, Erie County Chamber Board of Directors, Goodwill Industries of Erie, Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky County Board, the Huron County Project Leadership Board, Helping Individual Reach Employment (HIRE) Program Board and the St. Joseph Catholic Church Finance Committee. Sharon is an active member of the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce’s Education committee, the Norwalk Rotary Club and the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Sharon also serves as the Ohio Field Director for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Inc.,
Helen Payne – Faculty
Helen Louise Payne was born August 26, 1922 in Webster Springs, West Virginia to parents Cora Arthur Payne and Orlando Rucker Payne. There were nine children in her family - ?ve boys and four girls. She graduated from Webster Springs High School in 1941, serving as president of both her junior and senior class. Helen worked at various jobs after high school to earn the money to pursue her dream of attending college to become a teacher. Her community gave her a big send-off in 1947 when she left to attend college at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia. One of her college memories involves being on the Debate Team and, at one particular tournament, drawing Ohio State three times. Helen graduated in 1951 from West Virginia Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education. One of her job experiences while in college was to serve as a counselor at a Methodist Youth Camp where she met and became close friends with fellow camper Pat Pickens. Pat also attended West Virginia Wesleyan and, having graduated in 1950, boarded with one of Helen's sisters and her husband in Cowan, West Virginia while she served as band instructor at a nearby school. From 1951-1953, Helen set her degree aside to work as the Clerk of the Draft Board in Webster County, West Virginia where she was involved with sending the boys off to military service. In 1953, both she and Pat, who were destined to become lifelong friends, chose to look for teaching positions in Ohio. To do so they joined a teachers' agency and were directed to Huron County in Ohio where they interviewed in both Norwalk and Monroeville districts. Helen recalls that, besides the usual interview questions, the questions asked of her at that time included inquiries as to her church af?liation, marital status, and tendencies to drink or smoke. She chose to teach at Monroeville High School and did so from 1953 - 1986 during which time she also attended classes in the summer at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia where she received her Masters Degree. While employed at Monroeville, her duties included teaching, at various times, girls' physical education, drivers' education, social studies and health. She will be long remembered by those who were students prior to 1972 for her dedication to the high school girls' sports programs which, before the regulations in Title IX were put into effect, were at the mercy of whomever wished to take on the challenge of getting them organized, ?nanced and staffed. Helen did that for the young ladies at Monroeville High School sharing her time, talent and treasure sel?essly. The Girls' Recreation Association (GRA) events were well attended and enjoyed by a majority of the female population in the high school. Another strong memory for those who had her in Drivers' Education was the requirement to back down the hill at the reservoir! Other school activities in which she served as a leader included coaching, the popular May Day Festivities, initiating the county tourneys in Academic Challenge, and serving as Athletic Director during the glory years of the boys' basketball state champions. Outside of the school environment Helen was active in her church, serving for several years as a youth leader at U.C.C. in Monroeville. She also served on the Park Board where one of her duties included the development of Marsh Field where the high school football stadium is now located. She also chaired several of the charity drives in the community such as Cancer and Heart Funds. She is a founder and past- president of the Huron County Teachers Credit Union which in later years merged with Vacationland Credit Union. At her retirement celebration in 1986, Bret Colahan who was the president of the 1986 senior class, presented a picture of Helen to the school where it would hang in a place of honor to commemorate her 33 years of dedicated teaching at Monroeville High School. After retirement Helen spent ten years in Buckhannon where she was very active in church activities and the local parish house that served as an outlet for those who needed assistance for food, clothing and shelter. She served as the president of the Wesleyan District Women's Organization and was active in the West Virginia Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. She also monitored state school exams in Norwalk in the years right after retirement. She returned to Monroeville in 2007 where she continues to lead an active life. Since her return, she has served as president of the women's group at the United Church of Christ, as president of Huron County Retired Teachers in both 2010 and 2011 and is an active member of the Zeta Chapter of the local Delta Kappa Gamma Society. This summer she will celebrate her 90th birthday. Her love of Monroeville Schools and the Monroeville community has not diminished over the years. One of her greatest pleasures is to answer the door to a former student who just happens to be stopping by to say hello.
Oscar Erf – Alumni
Oscar Erf was born December 17, 1874 and died April 28, 1947 at the age of 73. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Monroeville. Oscar’s parents were Philip and Dorothea Erf. Oscar had a sister Lydia and two brothers, William and Louis. Oscar married Alice Ashton in 1905. They had a son, Lowell, in 1908.
Oscar graduated from Monroeville High School in 1893. He continued his education at Ohio State University, graduating in 1899 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He remained at the University as an Associate Professor of Dairying. He moved to the University of Illinois in Champaign, and later was a professor of Animal Husbandry and Dairying at Kansas State College in Manhattan Kansas.
1n 1907, Professor Erf returned to The Ohio State University where he became professor of Dairying. He served OSU faithfully for 38 years before retiring in 1945. During the early years at OSU, he was sent to Europe by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study Dairying in various European countries and Northern Africa. Professor Erf was a prominent leader in several Dairy organizations and enjoyed a large following among Dairymen in Ohio. Ohio farmers knew him as ‘Mr. Dairyman”. Oscar was recognized nationally as an authority on all matters relating to the dairy industry. His name is listed among the American Men of Science. His later years were devoted to research in feeding problems and their relation to human nutrition.
Steve Ringholz – Alumni/Faculty/Community Member
Steve Ringholz is the son of Alice and the late Gene Ringholz. Steve has a sister Linda Monnes and two brothers Chuck and Doug. Steve’s wife is the late Patty Ringholz. They have four children Ann, Jackie, Joe and Brian. Steve attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School then Monroeville High School. Steve participated in football, basketball and baseball during High School. He graduated in 1968. He furthered his education at Wittenberg University. While there he played Lacrosse. Steve graduated from Wittenberg in 1972. Steve began his teaching/coaching career in 1972 at Seneca East Local Schools. In 1975, he became the head football coach at Monroeville High School where he remained until retirement in 2010. Steve’s coaching career at Monroeville is impressive. He accumulated over 200 wins, something only 17 other coaches have ever accomplished. During that time he won the Conference championship 7 times and made it to the playoffs 12 times. In 2003, he led the Eagles to a Regional Championship and State Semi-Final appearance. He was selected Firelands Conference Coach of the Year 7 times. In 2008, Steve was inducted into the Ohio High School Coaches Hall of Fame. Steve’s dedication to Monroeville went far beyond Football. During his 30 plus years teaching at the High School, Steve coached Freshman Basketball and Baseball and began the weight lifting program in 1978. He personally maintained the football field, devoting countless hours to it’s care, which was widely known as one of the best playing surfaces in the Conference year in and year out. But probably the lasting impact Steve has had is the tradition that has been established in Monroeville Football. While the programs success is widely known, the number of outstanding individuals turned out of the program is a direct result of Coach Ringholz and his unwavering demands and high expectations of his players. His emphasis on accountability, responsibility, treating others right, and showing the game and others respect, earned the program a reputation of “class’ state wide. Something that was reinforced by the Bay Area Officials Associations recognition of the program with it’s first ever sportsmanship award in 2009. The programs impact on it’s players is too numerous to mention, though at his retirement dinner, the number of players who credited Coach Ringholz as having a major impact on their lives was lengthy, including former player and current General Manager of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, Gene Smith.
Steve Reer – Alumni/Community Member
Steve Reer is the son of Gertrude and the late Harold Reer. Steve has a sister Judy Bradford and two brothers Donald and Jerry. Steve married Karen Winslow and they have two children Zac and Ty and three grandchildren Samantha, Mylee, and Cohen. Steve graduated from Monroeville High School in 1974. While in high school he participated in wrestling and track. He was the vice-president of the sophomore class. After graduation Steve went to work for Lake Erie Construction before moving to Underground Utilities in 1992. Throughout his life Steve has been dedicated to Monroeville Schools and it’s students and athletes. He was an active member of the Athletic Boosters and served as their President from 1978 to 1984 and again from 1992 to 2008. In 1997 Steve was elected to the Monroeville Board of Education and became the Board President in 2009. Fifteen years ago, Steve organized and began the 5/6th grade basketball programs for both the boys and girls of Monroeville. He has been tireless in his efforts to improve the facilities at the school. His labor can be seen in almost every building improvement project at the school. As Athletic Booster President, Steve was instrumental bringing projects like the Jason Alexander Memorial Field House, expansion of both the press box and bleachers and concession stand as well as sidewalks at the football field. He took it upon himself to design and install the signs at the Village limits recognizing our State Champions as well as to paint the Gymnasium on several occasions. Steve initiated the upgrades to all the banners in the Gym as well as suggesting a Hall of Fame in Monroeville to recognize our outstanding citizens and alumni. Enough cannot be said about Steve’s efforts to save the District and Village money through his efforts to secure donations, equipment, and labor for projects. His most recent efforts led to the construction of the baseball and softball fields at Clark Park, which will be dedicated to the memory of Private Jason Sparks, a Monroeville Alumni. Steve has a great passion for the school. His willingness to give of his time and effort has made the school a better place for students and the community.
John Bores – Alumni / Community Member
John Bores is one of four brothers, Steve, Richard, and Mark, who all graduated from Monroeville Schools. John was a 1968 graduate. While at Monroeville, John was a member of the football, basketball and track teams. After high school, he attended Bowling Green State University. In 1978 John, started a fledgling business with 8 employees. As owner, operator and President of Underground Utilities, he has seen this business grow and prosper. Now a company that employees over 90 people and works around the state, John employs many people within this community. In his role at Underground, John has exemplified the principle of giving back to his community. In fact, John may be better known for his charitable contributions than his business. He has been involved in almost every building project for Monroeville Schools. From the Jason Charles Poths building, to the Jason Alexander Memorial Field House to the current Jason Sparks Memorial Field at Clark Park, John has donated equipment, man power, and funding to make those projects a reality. Additionally, John offered the donation of land to the district when the new school was proposed in the early 2000’s. John’s charity doesn’t end there. He has been a supporter or giver to Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, Toys for Tots, local churches and Individuals with Disablities and Disease. He has been a Huron County Livestock buyer and supporter of 4-H. John continues to be a part of numerous other community oriented organizations like the Monroeville summer reading program, DARE, Hooked on Fishing, Relay for Life, Abigail Ministries, and local homeless shelters and food banks. He has given scholarships at Norwalk High School, St. Paul’s, Bellevue as well as establishing the Underground Utilities Scholarship at Monroeville High School, of which 5 are given each year. One of his most recent donations, Light up Green Springs Park, honored an employees son, a Marine who died in Iraq in November 2006, Jeremy Shock. John has been recognized with many awards and accolations in his career including the National Catholic Education Association Distinguished Graduate Award from Bellevue ICS in 1999. John is married to his wife Mary Lou and they have 3 children. Brian 25, with a degree in Journalism, who lives in SC. Michael, 24, who works with his father at UUI and Jennifer, 19, who is majoring in psychology at OSU.
John Herner - Alumni
John Herner was born March 2, 1936, the second of Arthur and Gynell Herner’s four sons; James, John, Russell and Richard. John grew up on a farm south of Monroeville. He attended St. Peter Lutheran Church and Monroeville Schools, graduating in 1954. In 1957 he returned to Monroeville Schools as the seventh grade teacher and later taught math and science to the seventh and eighth graders. He also coached junior high basketball. After leaving Monroeville, John worked seven years in Upper Arlington Schools as a sixth grade teacher, elementary science teacher-consultant, and principal of Tremont School. John was the director of the Miami Valley Special Education Regional Resource Center for 18 years and the director of special education for the Ohio Department of Education for nine. He also served as a project director for the University of Dayton and interim assistant superintendent for special education for the Illinois Department of Education. He currently works part time as a State Support Team consultant for the Montgomery County Education Service Center. He has held several leadership positions including president of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, the Ohio Council of Administrators of Special Education, United Cerebral Palsy of Dayton , and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education heritage Award. However, the invitation to his first class’s 40th reunion remains the highlight of his career in education. John received a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University. John and his wife Sue are proud of their large family: six children, 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren scattered around Ohio and across the country. In his free time, John enjoys playing with his grandkids, traveling, playing golf and his guitar (not so hot at either), and reading. He has maintained his ties with Monroeville through family, friends and a fifty-year membership in Roby Lodge #534 F & AM.
Steve Moore – Alumni
Quite simply one of the most successful basketball coaches in NCAA Division III history, Steve Moore has amassed a 28-year career record of 600-185, including an extraordinary mark of 513-120 the past 22 seasons at The College of Wooster, which puts him No. 6 in wins among active coaches in Div. III and eighth all-time. The winningest coach at Wooster’s tradition-rich program, Moore has directed the Fighting Scots to 17 NCAA Tournament berths and league-high 12 North Coast Athletic Conference championships, while compiling a winning percentage of .810. Wooster’s recent stretch has been most impressive, as they’ve won 25 or more games seven times over the last 11 seasons, highlighted by advancing to the Div. III “Final Four” in both 2002-03 and 2006-07, winning a school-record 30 games (30-3) in the former. The Scots are currently the NCAA’s winningest team (all divisions) of the 2000s with a 255-45 record (.850), and also of note, reached the “Elite Eight” of the NCAA tourney in 2003-04 and the “Sweet 16” in 1998-99 and 1999-00. Moore came to Wooster just prior to the 1987-88 season, and his presence resulted in an immediate and dramatic impact on the program. Despite inheriting a team that had finished 8-18 the year before, Moore quickly transformed the Scots back into a winner. Wooster improved to 14-11 the very next year – the first of 22 consecutive winning seasons – including an average of 23 wins per year during the 1990s. For his efforts, Moore has been named NCAC Coach of the Year on seven occasions (1990-91, 1991-92, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2002-03, 2006-07) and the NABC District Coach of the Year for the Great Lakes four times (1990-91, 1999-00, 2002-03, 2006-07). Also following the 2002-03 season, he was voted the Ohio College Basketball Coach of the Year, an annual recognition coordinated and sponsored by the Columbus Dispatch, and in April 2008, the NABC presented him a prestigious “Guardian of the Game” award for education, an honor also once bestowed to the legendary John Wooden. Moore, 57, has had the magic touch throughout his coaching career, as he owns a career win percentage of .764, ranking him No. 1 in that category among active coaches in Division III (No. 2 all-time, only behind current Univ. of Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan). Prior to coming to Wooster, Moore guided Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., to successive Middle Atlantic Conference titles in the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons. Other highlights for Moore during his time with the Mules included leading Muhlenberg to its first 20-win season in 40 years in 1985-86 and being selected as the MAC Southern Division Coach of the Year in 1983. From 1976-81, Moore served as an assistant coach at his alma mater – Wittenberg University. During that five-year period, he helped lead the Tigers to four regular season Ohio Athletic Conference championships, two OAC Tournament titles, and a national championship in 1977. A native of Monroeville, Ohio, Moore was a standout on Wittenberg’s basketball team in the early 1970s. The three-year letter winner was part of three-straight OAC championship teams, including 1974 when he was a team captain and the starting point guard. Following graduation from Wittenberg in 1974, he earned a master’s degree in physical education from Ohio University in 1976, while serving as a graduate assistant coach in basketball for the Bobcats. Steve and his wife, Jane, reside in Wooster, and have two daughters. Beth, a 2003 Wooster graduate and four-year setter for the Scots’ volleyball team, is employed as a school psychologist in the Bowling Green school district. Emily earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Wooster in 2005 while running on the Scots’ cross country and track teams, and is now employed at the Akron City Hospital.
Miss Juanita Leiby – Faculty
Miss Juanita Leiby came to Monroeville from La Grange, Ohio in 1925 to teach commercial subjects. She received her educational training at Oberlin School of Commerce and Bliss College in Columbus. She also received additional education at Kent State University and then The Ohio State University. During her 44 years at Monroeville Schools, Miss Leiby’s impact was felt in almost every aspect of the district. She taught Shorthand, Bookkeeping, Typing, Office practice, Business, Family Relations, Personal Problems and Speech. In 1928 she began the first student yearbook staff and continued as advisor to the Quill until she passed away in 1969. Over that period of time the 1946, 1960 and 1967 Quills were dedicated to her. In the 1967 Quill, Miss Leiby was described as a Master Teacher and Humanitarian. The dedication speaks of her influence on all of the students who came through Monroeville Schools. Her great love and affection for all the students and members of this community inspired the dedication and her beloved status. In 1943 Miss Leiby was named the principal of the High School, a position that she held for 23 years. When she retired in 1966, Miss Leiby was unwilling to walk away from the district. She continued to teach commercial subjects on a part time basis. In 1968, she was not only still teaching but served as secretary to the High School principal. On August 27, 1969, nine days before the start of the school year, with plans to still be assistant to the High School principal, Juanita passed away. The Monroeville Spectator printed the 1967 dedication from the Quill along with her obituary as an example of the esteem with which she was held. The quote from the 1970 Quill may sum up Miss Leiby’s influence the best. “The lives of hundreds of students, parents, and residents were touched by the patience and devotion of Miss Leiby and her dedicated service to the school and the community.”
Thomas Wachtel, MD, MMM, CPE - Alumni
Tom Wachtel attended Monroeville schools from fourth to ninth grades and graduated from Monroeville High School in 1956. He played in the band and sang in the choir as well as solos for various events. Tom lettered in Basektball, Baseball and Track and had a lead role in the Senior play. Tom was an Eagle Scout and worked for Kaltenbach and Wachtel, Construction Company building homes and other projects in Huron and Erie Counties and for Cedar Point during the summers. His brothers, James, John and Edward also graduated from Monroeville High School. He attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland where he was a member of the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta and lettered in football and track as well as playing in the marching band. While at Western Reserve, Tom was involved in numerous plays and musicals before graduating in 1960. Dr. Wachtel attended St. Louis Medical School and graduated (M.D.) in 1964. While there, he was President of the Phi Rho of Phi Chi medical fraternity. Tom completed a surgical internship at the University of Kentucky and a surgical residency at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St Louis. Dr. Wachtel is board certified in Surgery with added qualification in Surgical Critical Care and in Medical Management (CPE). Tom also received a master’s degree in Medical Management. (MMM) from Tulane University in 1998. Tom is currently on the faculty of the University of Arizona as Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery and is a Medical Advisor for Stemnion Incorporated working with Amnion – derived Multi-potent Progenitor (stem) cells for spinal cord injuries and head injuries, ready to use / off the shelf bio-skin, and the development of stronger fascia. He was previously Medical Director, Trauma and Disaster Medicine Departments for the Trauma Center at Scottsdale Healthcare from October 2000 to January 2007. Tom has been a Medical Director for trauma departments in Level I and Level II Trauma Centers for over 28 years. He was also a driving force in setting up the world famous San Diego Trauma System in the early 1980’s, helped establish the statewide trauma system in Colorado in the 1990’s and recently has worked to establish the designation process in Arizona and the Arizona Trauma and Acue Care Consortium. He is past president of the American Burn Association, a past Treasurer and National Representative for the United States to the Internationals Society for Burn Injuries, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine and a Diplomat of the American College of Physician Executives. He is a member of the prestigious, American Surgical Association. He is the author/co-author of nine books, 22 chapters in medical books and 164 reports and peer-reviewed papers/articles on trauma, wound healing, burns, nutrition, medical management, and surgical education. He has written two romance/adventure genre novels (under the pen-name, Tom Lee) Melt My Wings and Vietnam, I Love You and has nearly completed a third one, I’m Your Patient. Captain (Retired) Wachtel served in the US Navy for 37 years including a year in Vietnam. Graduate of the Naval Flight School (designated a Naval Flight Surgeon). He was the Commanding Officer of 7 medical detachments and units including the largest, Program 32, in the US Navy Reserve. Captain Wachtel is a Past National Vice President for Health Affairs for the Naval Reserve Association. He was awarded 12 medals including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Secretary of the Navy, Unity Letter of Commendation. Dr. Wachtel is the investigator / co-investigator of 27 grants for $1,781,624 and continues to write grant proposals. He is listed in Outstanding Scientist of the 20th Century, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, Who’s Who in the World. He is a frequent speaker, locally, nationally and internationally with over 330 presentations. Tom and his wife, Carolyn will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary this year. They have three children and 10 grandchildren. Son John is an orthodontist, son David, a business man and co-owner of Game Truck and daughter Julianne is a chair woman of the Confidence Forum for BeautiCOntrol and is on the board of two non-profit foundations. On June 1, 2008 Tom was involved in a high speed automobile crash on the interstate while on his way to work resulting in multiple trauma including a sever head injury with coma and multiple spinal fractures with quadriplegia. Now he works hard on the abilities side of the equation with daily rehabilitation and high technology voice activated word processing.
Elmer Armstrong – Alumni
Was born in Monroeville on Feb 9, 1874 and graduated from Monroeville High School in 1891. Throughout the course of his life Elmer was incredibly active in his community. As a young man Elmer worked at Heyman Milling Company. In 1936, Elmer founded his own insurance agency and in 1948 he founded Armstrong and Myers. Much of Elmer’s life was dedicated to service. He served as Worshipful Master and Secretary of the Roby Masonic Lodge. Additionally, he served one term as the Mayor of Monroeville. Elmer was on the Huron County Selective Service Board during World War II as well as being a charter member of the Monroeville Kiwanis Club. His church was very important to him and as such, he acted as the President and Vostryman of the Zion Episcopal Church. Elmer passed away in December 1959. When he died he left no surviving relatives. He chose to give a substantial portion of his estate to Monroeville High School in order to establish the first scholarship fund. This scholarship is still given and it bears his name. The Elmer Armstrong Scholarship is given each year to the Senior with the highest GPA and has been as much as $500 to the recipient. Over the course of this scholarship, over 45 students have benefited from Elmer’s generosity.
Fred Deering – Alumni
Fred Deering was born and raised on a farm near Kimball. He graduated from Monroeville High School in 1941 and continued his education at Ohio State University. Fred returned to Monroeville where he became a community leader and for 14 years was the Veteran’s Vocational Agriculture Instructor, teaching returning WWII veterans farming and business principles. Additionally, when his brother entered the service, Fred became the family farm operator. The farm was expanded in 1952 when Fred built his first broiler chicken house and produced 120,000 broiler chickens per year. He was the first to promote chicken Bar-B-Q’s in this area. Fred served on the Perkins School Board from 1952 until he was elected as Erie County Commissioner from 1961 to 1973. In 1973 Fred was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, where he stood out for his integrity and honesty. During his tenure in the Ohio House, Fred wrote over 80 bills. Some of his work included: starting the CAUV, encouraging drainage laws to be revised and updated, initiating a .04 cents per gallon wine tax for promotion and research in the Ohio wine industry, supporting and funding agriculture programs including the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Extension Service. When Fred retired in 1992 he was nicknamed the “Four Billion Dollar Man” because that is how much was raised from gasoline taxes since 1981 as a result of a bill he sponsored. This money has been used to fund construction and repair of Ohio roads and bridges. The family farm had been converted to raising 260,000 starter pullets and Fred’s sons joined the 1,400 acre grain and poultry operation. After retirement, Fred was appointed a Trustee of the Erie Metro Parks, which included the Firelands College McBride Arboretum. With Fred’s help, the excavation of a 5.5-acre pond was donated to begin the 25-acre arboretum from a barren field next to BGSU Firelands College Campus. He also helped establish the Edison Woods Reserve, a 1,500-acre virgin timber stand along Lake Erie marshes. Fred is still active in his community and with his farm, Deering Farm Inc, where he and his late wife Dorthy raised 3 sons and one daughter. He is also busy with his horticulture projects at home and supervising the ever-increasing chicken
Jim Herner – Alumni
Jim Herner was born in Monroeville and graduated from Monroeville High School in 1950. Upon graduation, Jim served our country in the Army during the Korean War. After the war he attended The Ohio State University where he received a degree from the School of Architectural Design. He returned to Monroeville and in 1964 co-founded Janotta & Herner Inc. Beginning as a small building contractor based company, Janotta & Herner steadily grew over the past four decades to become one of the most respected and envied design/build contractors in Northern Ohio. Known for high quality work and a true concern for its employees, JHI has brought many good things to Monroeville. First and foremost, it has brought employment income and jobs to 175 families. Jim has also been a very active member of his community, serving in the Roby Lodge, the Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Monroeville Kiwanis Club, and the American Legion. Jim was involved in the design and construction of the front that was put on the Legion Building. Jim has also dedicated much of his time to historical preservation projects and historical education in and around Monroeville. Some of these include: Designing and building the agricultural heritage exhibits building at the Huron County Fair, designing and carving the Monroeville Village Seal, designing the layout and helped construct the Fisher Brothers Memorial Park in Norwalk, and completely building new wheelwright wheels for the old cannon in the Monroeville city park. Active in his church, Jim did the design work on the additions to Trinity Lutheran Church as well as donating materials and supervising the construction including the new parking lot. Finally Jim has been a long time supporter of education in Monroeville. A long partnership with the school is evidenced by the Art and Gay Herner scholarship that is given annually for the past 15 years. It is given to a student to further their education based primarily on need, citizenship, and scholarship. This scholarship has enabled many students to continue their education. Jim and his late wife, Marilyn, raised four boys in Monroeville. Jim now resides in Norwalk with his current wife, Margaret.
Gene Smith – Alumni
Gene is a Monroeville native who graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in 1978 and Monroeville High School in 1982. While at Monroeville Gene participated in football, wrestling and track. He was a captain of the Eagle football team his senior year under the direction of Ohio High School Coaches Hall of Fame head coach Steve Ringholz. Upon graduation Gene attended Heidelberg University, where he participated in football and track. He was a captain of the Berg football team his senior year. Gene graduated from Heidelberg University in four years with a bachelors degree in education and the following year received his masters degree with an emphasis in athletic administration from Ohio University. Gene also has completed doctoral coursework in organizational leadership at Western Kentucky University. Gene began his college coaching career at Ohio University in 1986 as a graduate assistant and later served as an assistant coach. In 1989, he moved to Edinboro University, where he served as an assistant coach, recruiting coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator. Gene helped build Fighting Scot teams that won a PSAC West Championship and made five NCAA playoff appearances. In 1994, Gene joined the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League as the team scouting representative for the northeast with the BLESTO scouting combine. He was the southeast regional scout for BLESTO in 1995 before becoming solely the southeast regional scout for the Jaguars. With BLESTO, Gene worked for Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Jack Butler. After six years of being the talent team’s scout in the southeast region, Gene became the Director of College Scouting in 2000. As such, he guided the team’s NFL draft for the next seven years. Gene was then promoted to Executive Director of College and Pro Personnel. His duties included scouting and evaluating college and pro players, directing the draft and pro free agency. He has been a part of building Jaguars teams that won two AFC Central Division Championships and made eleven NFL playoff game appearances, including two AFC Championship games. The 1999 Jaguar team compiled a league best 14-2 regular season record. Gene worked for two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Tom Coughlin his first nine years in Jacksonville. In 2009, Gene was named General Manager of the Jaguars, the first person to hold that position in franchise history. As General Manager, he was responsible for all football operations for the Jaguars. Gene was selected to be a member of the NFL General Managers Advisory Committee which is an advisory arm of the Competition Committee. He served on the NFL Subcommittee on College Relations and was a member of the National Invitational Camp Selection Committee which selects the players who are invited to the NFL Scouting Combine each year. Gene also was a member of the NFL Managers Program at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business in Executive Education. All the while Gene moved up the professional ranks, he has never forgotten where he came from. He continues to keep close ties to Monroeville and gives frequently of himself. From handwritten letters to athletes encouraging them in their pursuits and goals, to returning to speak at schools, camps and clinics for students and coaches, Gene understands the importance of giving back to his community. It is this loyalty, hard work, and dedication that earned him the respect of his co-workers and colleagues. Gene is the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Adelbert Smith, and currently resides in Nashville, TN with his wife Debbie and their two daughters Alaina and Carlie.
1984 Boys Basketball State Championship Team – Group or Team
It has been said by many that this team was truly special, from its coaches down to its players. The path to the state championship began during the 1982-83 season, when they finished with a 19-3 record and were defeated by Buckeye Central in the sectionals. Many players have cited that loss as what motivated them going into the 1983-84 season. The 83-84 season started with high hopes as all five starters were returning. Those hopes were dealt a setback as Auggie’s Eagles suffered defeat the first game of the season, losing a close contest to Mansfield St. Peter’s 80-78. From that moment on, the Eagles didn’t look back as they rattled off 19 straight wins heading into the tournament with their second conference title. In the tournament, Auggies Eagles defeated Carey and Tiffin Calvert to advance to the District Tournament. The District semi final was a rematch with Mansfield St. Peters in which the Eagles avenged their only loss of the season, 52-49. This set up one of the most exciting games of the season, a 3rd game with conference rival Western Reserve. Monroeville had beaten Western Reserve twice during the year and Western was determined to ruin the Eagles tournament run. In a tight game, the Roughriders were ahead by one point with seconds on the clock. Senior Mike Landoll, falling away from the basket, hit a shot as time ran out to give the Eagles the 59-58 win, the District Championship and a trip to the Regionals at Bowling Green State University. Regionals proved easier for the Eagles than had the District tournament. Wins over Miller City and Van Buren gave Monroeville a Regional Championship and it’s first trip to the State Final Four at St. John’s Arena on the campus of Ohio State University. In the State semi final game the Eagles defeated Marion Local setting up the championship game with Columbus Wehrle. In a game that will live in the memories of every resident of Monroeville, who was alive at the time, the Eagles defeated Wehrle 66-62 to capture the 1984 Class “A” State Championship. When asked later, players and coaches credited this team with always finding a way to win by depending on each other and knowing that their teammates were going to come through for them. This team possessed the toughness, self-confidence, desire and determination that it takes to accomplish a state championship.
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