Jodi Rife was born in Marion. After graduating from Harding High School in 1985, she moved to Dublin but came back here to raise her family. Rife’s career and volunteer efforts are focused on helping children in Marion, especially at the holidays. For 25 years, Rife has served as the director of the Christmas Clearinghouse, […]
People
Local Leader Expands Cummins Facilities Services Nationwide
For more than 50 years, Cummins Facility Services has been helping clients sparkle and shine. Jill Frey is the owner and president of this family business. Her parents, Ron and Myra Cummins, founded the business in 1972, the year Frey was born. Frey grew up on Smeltzer Road and spent many days at Lawrence Orchards. […]
Pleasant Student Combines Passions for Music and Cars
Dylan Hanshaw, an 18-year-old senior at Pleasant High School, has had two lifelong loves: cars and music. “I was born into it. Dad has worked into dealerships since he was able to work. Mom’s worked for different car-related organizations. Grandpa worked in a dealership before Dad, so it’s all I’ve known,” Dylan said. Dylan; his […]
Artist Says Laughter and Faith Fuel a Long Life
In 98 years, Dorothy (Guidus) Weichenthal has experienced a roller coaster of experiences. The secret to her long life, she shares, is “to laugh every day.” Growing up in the Great Depression and World War II Weichenthal was born in 1926 and raised in Elmira Heights, N.Y., years before sliced bread was invented. She is […]
Tree-Trimming Company Thrives and Gives Back to Community
Rodolfo Loaeza moved to Marion in 2003. He started his career in caring for trees in 2006. He and his friend Osmar Vargas, have worked all over the United States for large companies, including responding to wildfires. Loaeza, his wife, Florinda Sanchez; and Vargas founded their own tree service company in 2020. Advice for Homeowners They say now is a good […]
Real-Life Rosie the Riveter Declares “I’m a survivor”
Mary Ellen (Miller) Dune, 97, of Marion, comes from a family line that extends back to the Mayflower. Another branch arrived in the United States in 1823. “My great-great-grandfather, Hartman Dickhout, lived in Hesse Kassel, Germany. He had to pay a percentage of what they earned to the land owners. At age 19, he stowed […]
