During Older Americans Month (May), the Ohio Department of Aging is encouraging all Ohioans to “Unleash Your Power: Be a Golden Buckeye!” To share examples of what it means to be a Golden Buckeye the department is recognizing the accomplishments and services of two groups of outstanding older Ohioans. First, five couples are receiving the Joined Hearts in Giving Award, then nine individuals, including a Nevada woman, are being inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
The department will honor these Golden Buckeyes at a special ceremony on Friday, May 24, 2013, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Statehouse Atrium in Columbus.
Since 1978, more than 400 individuals have been inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The hall honors individuals age 60 and older who are native-born Ohioans or who have been Ohio residents for at least 10 years. Nominations are evaluated on the impact of current contributions or a continuation of work and accomplishments begun before age 60.
Gladys Von Stein, 84, of Nevada, was one of those named for induction into the Hall of Fame. The Ohio Department of Aging wrote the following about Von Stein.
Gladys Von Stein learned the value of loyalty and commitment by growing up on a farm during the Great Depression. She graciously declined a scholarship to Capital University to help keep her family’s farm running. This strong commitment to family and community above self that drove her to be an organizer, a leader, a friend to many and an inspiration to all who know her.
Gladys has an innate ability to bring everyone together, and when they don’t come to her, she goes to them. As part of the Lutheran Brotherhood, Gladys and her husband Gerald began building wheelchair ramps for the handicapped at the recipient’s residences. When the Mississippi River swelled to record levels, the Lutheran Brotherhood traveled to the area to help two families rebuild their home and pull submersed farm machinery onto higher ground. “I didn’t really think it was a big deal!” Gladys said of her service. “It was really fun to do all those things and help these people. It was just the kindest thing to do.”
The Lutheran Brotherhood is now known as Thrivent. Through Thrivent, Gladys helped the family of a 15 year old paraplegic boy by installing a home elevator and a handicap accessible bathroom. She also helped organize the annual Angeline School of Opportunity garage sale to teach and help developmentally disabled individuals. The sale raised more than $2,000 each year and Thrivent matched that amount, dollar for dollar. She also helps others with medical bills by putting on fundraisers and helping the homeless get back on their feet. Gladys says, “I could write a book about all the events there and all the nice people we met.”
Being handy with a needle, thread and crochet hook, Gladys created her own teddy bear ministry. She collects old stuffed animals, washes and repairs them, then sends them to hospitals and women’s shelters. She also belongs to a group that crochets blankets for cancer and dialysis patients, and affectionately named the group, “The Happy Hookers.”
Soon after she was married, Gladys catered her first small wedding for 50 people. From that experience, she and Gerald ran a catering business for 37 years and served 5,000 weddings. She refers to her catering career as “my hobby that got out of hand.” She still teaches cake decorating to local 4-H students and to her two granddaughters.
Gladys is a certified teacher of the Bob Ross method of art made famous by a long-running series on public television. For over 10 years, she taught 250 students how to create beautiful landscapes, flowers and small animals using oil paints. Two of her students went on to become instructors themselves, and two of her younger students went on to become art majors in college. Gladys was presented with a treasured portrait of Bob Ross in appreciation for repairing a cake that arrived damaged for the artist’s post-memorial service.
Gladys serves on the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Advisory Committee, as well as the Wyandot County Council on Aging Board of Trustees and has served the past three years as president. She has been a member of the County Election Board, treasurer of the Antrim Township Community Fund Drive, past-president of her church’s women’s group and both president and secretary of the Wyandot Garden Club. Gladys was instrumental in starting the Wyandot County Lenten Lunches where all ladies in the county are invited for an inspirational luncheon with a different church hosting each week. She was also instrumental in starting the local Oktoberfest celebrations. Gladys and Gerald received the Conservationist of the Year 2006 and Joined Hearts in Giving Award in 2007.
Gladys and Gerald have been married for 63 years and are very proud of their three daughters and son, their seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. When Gerald suffered a stroke six years ago, Gladys made the difficult decision, based on their previous experiences caring for their parents, that the best place for Gerald was to be in a nursing home, and Gerald agreed. Gladys visits Gerald often and says of ensuring the help he needs, “It was the kindest thing I could do for him.”
2013 Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame inductees also include:
- Georgia J. Anetzberger, Ph.D., 69, South Euclid – A lifelong advocate for elders, Dr. Anetzberger is considered by many to be the architect of Ohio’s adult protective services laws, and she founded the Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services and the Consortium Against Adult Abuse.
- A. Joseph Buckley, 88, Tiffin – Mr. Buckley learned from childhood adversity how powerful a helping hand can be. He has spent his life doing right by the kindness that was shown to him as a child by serving others and preserving the memory of the Junior Home in Tiffin.
- Samuel Burnett, 82, Toledo – Mr. Burnett had a distinguished career as an educator and mentor who advocated for dignity and respect for the children he taught. In retirement, he has added older adults to the causes he champions by working with local organizations to ensure that the needs of all Golden Buckeyes are met in his community.
- Gene and Evelyn Kelsey, 82 and 78, Findlay – Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey helped create the Hancock Christian Clearing House, which links together the resources of 45 member churches to help the less fortunate in their community.
- Lenel Moore, 88, Ashtabula – Mr. Moore dedicated his life to serving his family, his community and his country. He has mentored countless Boy Scouts and was recently recognized as one of the first African-American U.S. Marines, 70 years after his service in WWII.
- Donald J. Smith, 64, Continental – Mr. Smith swims to raise money and awareness for Diabetes Youth Services, the only nonprofit organization in a 34-county region that provides type 1 diabetes education, programs and support to children and their families. He has raised nearly $100,000 over 10 years.
- Ruth Snodgrass, 84, Dover – Ms. Snodgrass is a writer, artist and role model for others. She founded the Tuscarawas County Writers’ Guild and has published two children’s books. She writes music and sings in a barbershop chorus. She also is active in her church, where she supports efforts to help the homeless.
You can click here to learn more about these inductees.
The Joined Hearts in Giving Award is presented to Ohio couples who have been married at least 40 years and who share a commitment to giving back to their community through volunteerism. Each couple finds ways to use their time and talents for the benefit of others.
2013 Joined Hearts in Giving Award Winners:
- Greg and Margaret Butler, Dublin – Married 40 years, Mr. and Mrs. Butler volunteer for many local causes, including Meals-on-Wheels through LifeCare Alliance.
- James and Mary “Kay” McBride, Delta – Married 58 years, Mr. and Mrs. McBride are founding members of the Open Door of Delta, a one-stop shop for services and supports for those in need.
- Raymond and Thelma Rivin, University Heights – Married 63 years, Mr. and Mrs. Rivin volunteer at Temple Emanu El and deliver Meals-on-Wheels for the Jewish Family Service Association.
- Wayne and Jean Walton, Sycamore – Married 63 years, Mr. and Mrs. Walton support the work of various local organizations, including the Lions Club, their church and others.
- Robert and Mary Reid Williamson, Madeira – Married 58 years, Mr. and Mrs. Williamson volunteer with the Sycamore Senior Center Meals-on-Wheels program.
You can click here to learn more about these Joined Hearts in Giving.
“When Golden Buckeyes are respected as vital members of society who continue to grow, thrive and contribute, their communities and the state are stronger,” said Bonnie Kantor-Burman, director of the Department. “These honorees understand that each of us has a unique power within us, and they have found ways to unleash their power to help their neighbors and communities. They are ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
About Marion Online News
