Bucyrus, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) — A local business deeply rooted in the community is marking a milestone and celebrating its heritage.
Dostal & Kirk Insurance & Financial Services, 120 S. Sandusky Ave., is proudly celebrating its 150th anniversary — a company that for generations has served area residents, providing protection that is “Rooted in Trust, Built to Last.”
Michael Dostal, a partner and third-generation owner, said the independent agency prides itself on building solid client relationships. “That personalized service is something we try to maintain as we grow, which gets harder to do, but that’s our focus.”
Founded in 1875 by John Schaber, the agency has grown to become the largest in Crawford County to offer a complete line of insurance and financial services. It also has offices in Galion, Marion, and, most recently, Powell, Ohio.
Over the years, the property and casualty side of the business — the company’s cornerstone — has expanded to include financial services and, in 2017, health insurance, which Dostal said differentiates them in the marketplace.
“The more value we can add to each client with these products, the longer they’ll be with us,” he said. “What’s different about us is we’re an independent agency, so we feel that’s an advantage for our clients — having a lot of different markets available to them.”
The original agency merged in 1921 and was operated by Joseph Neff and Milton Lewis at 212 E. Mansfield St. In 1956, John Dostal partnered with Neff to form the Neff-Dostal Agency. Dostal’s son, David Dostal, joined the company in 1969.
The firm moved to a newly remodeled building at 321 S. Sandusky Ave. in 1980. Another merger in 1995 saw Neff-Dostal and the Auck Agency — owned by David Auck — become the Auck Dostal Agency. Mike Dostal, David’s son, came on board in 2005.
In 2009, Auck Dostal merged with Kirk Insurance & Financial Services in Galion — established by Jeffrey Kirk — to become what it’s known as today. In 2017, they acquired Scharer Insurance in Marion from John Scharer. Kirk and his son, Logan Kirk, are also owner-partners.
The company, Dostal said, specializes in a “holistic” approach to risk management, whether it’s insurance needs, 401(k) plans, or custom investment strategies. “Historically, we do what’s best for the client. We look at it like we’re your advisor.”
Giving back to the community is part of Dostal & Kirk’s culture, Dostal said — a “policy” that has stood the test of time. “Everybody’s involved in the community. We donated to over 70 organizations last year to make it a better place, and that’s important to us.
