Brad Heller’s family has lived in Marion County for four generations. Heller grew up in Big Island Township. “We were raised that you keep working until the job is done and you don’t take short cuts. Do it right the first time, so you don’t have to do it a second time,” Heller recalls. “Many […]
People
Local Leader Recognized with Patriot Award
(Marion) A community leader has been recognized for her support of employees in the Ohio Army National Guard. Evelyn Warr-Omness, executive director of the Marion County Regional Planning Commission, received the Patriot Award. Nominated by Ohio Army National Guard Member Staff Sergeant James Walker, an employee of the planning commission, nominated Warr-Omness for this honor […]
Cody Higley Shares Love of Local History
Cody Higley grew up on Whetstone River Road in eastern Marion County. His grandfather, Robert W. Higley, worked at Marion Power Shovel and nurtured Cody’s love of local history. “My grandfather was very much into history. He would take me up on his knee and tell stories of his childhood. He grew up in Marion […]
Quilting Tradition Stitches Hope for Cancer Survivors
Candyce Dreher of Marion remembers her grandmother quilting when she was just three years old. “I remember her putting her quilting frame up in the living room. She and her friends would quilt on it. I’ve always been a creative person but quilting really opened something in my heart,” Candy says. In 1988, Candy learned […]
Nurse Became Statewide Leader in Helping Survivors of Sexual Assault
Darlene Schoonard rises to meet challenges. In the 1980s, Schoonard cared for her beloved grandmother while she battling cancer. “My grandmother was very supportive of me becoming a nurse. She would tell everyone that I was going to become a nurse,” Schoonard recalled. After her grandmother died, the busy working mom followed her dream. Schoonard […]
World War II Veterans Among Those Honored
Two veterans of World War II were among the many Ohio veterans celebrated at the Honor Flight at Home ceremony this June in Marion at Tri-Rivers Career Center. Joe Calenda, age 100 The oldest veteran, Joe Calenda, age 100, joined the U.S. Army in 1943. The 19-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, served in France and […]
