NEWS RELEASE:
The following individuals recently were named the 2017 induction class to the Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame.
2017 Inductee
Terry Lee Boswell
Vietnam
Terry was born June 18, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. At age one his family moved to Marion, Ohio, and he graduated from Harding High School in 1965. Terry moved back to Cleveland, Ohio to work for TRW for one year, then he enlisted into the United States Air Force on July 5, 1966 to July 2, 1970. He was a crew chief on the F4c Phantom jet fighter, and served one year in Vietnam. He received the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service with one bronze star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal. He served one year with the 13th Black Panther Tactical Fighter Squadron, two years with the 336 tactical Fighter Squadron in North Carolina, and one year with the 254th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Florida.
After he was discharged he returned to Cleveland, Ohio to work for TRW for five years, he left Cleveland in 1975 and returned to Marion Ohio and worked for a blacktop company. In 1978 he moved to Bucyrus Ohio to work for Ohio Road Paving Company. In 1984 he started working as a veterans rep. for the Ohio employment Service for 16 years and from 1996 to 2000 he was a Crawford County Veterans Service Commissioner.
He is a Life Member of American Legion Post 181, life member Amvets post 27, Life Member VFW Post 1078 and Life Member of DAV Chapter 100 all in Bucyrus. He was Commander of DAV Chapter 100 12 years, DAV 5th District Commander 2 years, and is currently Senior Vice Commander of Chapter 100, and Jr. Vice Commander, Post Adjutant and Service Officer of VFW Post 1078. He has worked with veterans over 33 years, and continues today with over 200 veterans each year.
Terry was married to Linda Heckert over 25 years, she passed away in 2003. He has one son Justin Boswell two grandchildren in Bucyrus, and a step son Shawn Heckert who passed away in 1994 while in the US Air Force, and a step daughter Misty Nolen with 3 grandchildren.
The Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame is honored to induct Terry Lee Boswell into the class of 2017.
2017 Inductee
Russell (Buck) Heydinger
WWII
Russell was born February 27, 1924 to Albert C. and Rose(Kanney)Heydinger on the family farm located on Swabb Road in Chatfield Township.
He graduated from Chatfield High School in 1943, then on July 16, 1943 was inducted into the Navy at Great Lakes Training Center. On September 12, 1943 he was assigned to the USS Pyro, an ammunition ship located at San Francisco. On November 11, 1943, Pyro departed to serve with the 7th Fleet in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater where ammunition was transported to various New Guinea harbors and combatants in the Admiralty Islands and Hollandia, New Guinea. After the invasion of Leyte, the Pyro remained in the Philippine area replenishing combatants until August 4, 1945. On October 17, 1945, she departed the Admiralty Islands and arrived in San Francisco on February 18, 1946 where “Buck” was discharged as a Petty Officer 3rd Class.
His military awards include a Commendation Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific with three Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation with two Bronze Stars and World War 2 Ribbon.
Upon discharge, he was employed as a fireman on the railroad for 25 months, then transferred employment to North Central Electric CO-OP in Attica, Ohio, where he retired.
On June 18, 1949, he married Arlene L. Stuber. They were parents to a son Timothy Heydinger, and twin daughters Doris and Donna, who died at birth. Buck was deceased November 5, 1991, and is survived by Arlene and Tim.
Buck was a life member of both VFW Post 1078 in Bucyrus and American Legion Post 405 in New Washington. He held various offices at Post 405 and was Commander in 1951 and 1952.
His civic activities include serving the Village of New Washington as a councilman and then as Mayor from 1960 to 1975. He was also a long-time Crawford County Democratic Central Committeeman. Other affiliations were the Boy Scouts of America at the local and district level, Crawford County and Pioneer Joint Vocational School Boards, Crawford County Board of Visitors, Elks 156, Knights of Columbus 1718, Lions Club and St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.
The Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame is honored to induct Russell F. (Buck) Heydinger into the class of 2017.
2017 Inductee
Joseph A. Millenbaugh
Vietnam Era
Joseph was born on the family farm in the Tiro area on December 30, 1930. He graduated from New Washington High School in 1948. He worked various jobs before enlisting in the US Air Force in 1951. Joseph earned one year of college credits through his military training. Joseph completed boom operators school and served as a boom operator on KC135 aerial tankers. He then completed electronics school and managed a team of airmen in the electronics field. After being hired by the US Postal service, Joe completed several electronics schooling for the Post Office, related to mail processing machines at the Post Office.
Joseph retired from the Air Force in 1971 and accepted a job at the district post office in Columbus, Ohio where he worked for 35 years, and retired at age 76.
Joseph currently holds lifetime memberships at the American Legion, VFW, and Amvets. Joseph was commander of VFW Post 6055 from 2001 to 2003. Joseph currently serves on the Honor Guard at the American Legion Post 532 in Columbus, OH. He has served on the Honor Guard for 10 years.
Joseph’s civic contributions are making coffee at the Grove City VA outpatient clinic once a week, and nine years of service to Meals on Wheels. Joe organizes donations from the American Legion, VFW, and Amvets to purchase coffee and supplies for the Grove City VA clinic.
While in the Air Force Joe received the Air Medal, and United States Air Force Commendation medal. In 2016 Joe was awarded the Veteran of the Year Award at American Legion Post 532.
Joseph served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, which he is very proud of. He speaks of his service often. His work and dedication to veterans and others who need support has continued to this day. He prides himself in being part of the Honor Guard to lay to rest his fellow veteran (many his friends). He regularly attends the monthly meetings of the VFW, American Legion, and Amvets. He is a long-time member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Grove City, Oh. Joseph and his wife Janet are deeply involved in the church since his retirement. They have three children, Mark, Nancy, and Patrick.
The Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame is proud to induct Joseph A. Millenbaugh into the class of 2017
2017 Inductee
Eleanor Ann (Fegley) Miller
WWII
Eleanor was born November 19, 1922, in Bucyrus to Gale and Laura Keckstein Fegley. She had 4 brothers, Eugene, Robert, Norman, Kenneth and one sister Mary K. Breymaier. Eleanor attended Holy Trinity Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1940. She worked at North electric in Galion, Ohio for a year and when it was possible to join the women Marines, she went to Cleveland, Ohio to enlist. Eleanor was the first woman from Crawford County enlisting in the Women Marines April 13, 1943. She was assigned to active duty May 17th at Hunter College, Queens, New York for boot camp. After many tests, was assigned to Aviation Machinist Mate School at Memphis, TN, then to Norman, OK, to finish schooling, Classification at Cherry Point NC. After graduation she went to Marine Air Corp station at Goleta near Santa Barbara, CA. On October 31, 1944 she was chosen to represent Bucyrus in the christening of the USS Bucyrus Victory Ship.
March 1945 Eleanor was sent to Ewa Marine Corp Air Station near Pearl Harbor, HI. She worked on the line there until the war was over and had enough points to come home. She arrived at Mare Island, CA and on to Arlington, VA where she was honorable discharged November 16,1945
Eleanor returned to Bucyrus where she met and married William R. Miller, a U.S. Navy veteran. They had 4 children, Patti (Zahara) Mike Miller, Kathy (Kilgore) and Gary Miller. She has 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Eleanor worked at Swan Rubber and retired from Burcliff Industries. She is a life member of VFW Post 1078 and American Legion Post 181, longtime member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Rosary Society, Ladies of the Moose 741, volunteer with the American Red Cross bloodmobiles, Bucyrus Community Hospital, Meals on Wheels, Triad Desk at Crawford County Courthouse and Bucyrus Historical Society. She was Parade Marshall for the Memorial Day parade, and has been on Honor Flight. She enjoyed following her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in all their activities. She also roots for the Indians, Browns, Buckeye’s and listens to Sinister Midget play Pretty Woman and Twilight Zone.
The Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame is honored to induct Eleanor Ann Miller into the class of 2017.
2017 Inductee
Richard Donald Murphy
WWII
Richard Murphy was born in Bucyrus, Ohio on 17 June 1924 and graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1942. Married Margaret Murphy(Keiter) on October 2,1948. Richard had two children, Dennis Michael Murphy an architect and Patrick Timothy a local attorney in Bucyrus. He is the grandfather of 4 children, Bridget Milligan, Meggan Murphy, Timothy Murphy and Maggie Murphy.
Richard was a field medic(Tech4) 262 Medical Station in the U.S. Army. His tour of duty was with General George Patton and Bradley in North Africa, came up through Italy and into France then Germany fell. Richard then transferred to the Pacific Theater and was among the first Americans that conducted cleanup operations in Hiroshima. Richard received
the European(EALE) Theater Ribbon w/2 Bronze Stars; the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon; a Good Conduct Ribbon; and the Victory Ribbon. He was Discharged on January 11, 1946 at Camp Atterbury Indiana.
After the war Richard returned to Bucyrus, Ohio and worked at Timken Roller Bearing Company, he entered training school and worked with Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. and thereafter attended and completed the Armstrong trade school in Hershey, PA, thereafter started Murphy’s Carpet and Linoleum store alongside his wife which thrived for several decades until retirement.
Richard was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, was an entrepreneur and was actively involved with civic functions involving charitable organizations and was a Knight of the Third degree in the Knights of Columbus at Holy Trinity Church in Bucyrus, Ohio. He was a member of American Legion Post 181, VFW, Bucyrus Moose Lodge 669 and the Elks Lodge 156 in Bucyrus.
In his later years after retirement he contracted esophageal cancer, that was a direct result of radioactive isotope Richard was exposed to at Hiroshima. Sadly, Richard Passed away November 9, 1993.
The Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame is honored to induct Richard Donald Murphy into the class of 2017.
2017 Inductee
Charles E. (Bud) Robertson
WWII
Charles E. (Bud) Robertson was born February 18, 1918 in Bucyrus, the tenth surviving child of Volney and Sevilla Robertson. Bud was born 20 years to the day after his older brother David Jay Robertson, who two months later, went to serve in the Marine Corps in WWI.
Bud attended Bucyrus schools and was a 1937 graduate of Bucyrus High School where he was the Captain of the football team his senior year. After graduation Bud worked in downtown Bucyrus at Islay’s and in Galion at North Electric. On September 16, 1941 he joined the Bucyrus Police Department and served with his brother, Jay until December 15, 1942 when he was inducted into the US Army.
While in the service, Bud served as Section Leader and received the Combat Infantry Badge, American Theater Ribbon, and EAME Theater Ribbon w/2 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Medal. He was honorable discharged March 21, 1946 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon his return to Bucyrus, Bud married Rosemary(Kehrer) Robertson on May 5, 1946. They raised two children David J. Robertson and Margaret(Peg)Wells.
Bud spent the next 27 years serving the City of Bucyrus. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (later renamed Captain) on April 1, 1947. February 1, 1968 Robertson was promoted to the Chief, the third Chief in the History of Bucyrus, which he held until his retirement March 31, 1973. While serving as Chief, Bud was instrumental in applying for and receiving grants to upgrade the department, which helped in the construction of City Hall. He also saw the need for new officers to receive more professional training before serving on the force. Chief Robertson also served as a Board Trustee for the Ohio Chief of Police Assoc.
In 1986 Bud and two other WW2 veterans and retired Police Officers, William (Bill) Seits and Richard Kelly were honored by being chosen as the Marshals for the Bratwurst Festival Parades.
Like most Veterans of his generation, Bud did not talk about the war or his time in service. He served when his Country called, came home, and went back to work, serving the citizens of Bucyrus for a total of 32 years. Sadly, Bud passed away in 1987.
The Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame is proud to induct Charles E. Bud Robertson into the class of 2017.
2017 Inductee
Lauretta Schimmoler
WWII
Lauretta Schimmoler was born September 17, 1900 in Fort Jennings, Ohio and passed away January 21, 1981 in Glendale, California.
Lauretta graduated from Bliss Business College in Columbus, OH and went straight into the workplace. She found a job as Crawford County’s court stenographer assistant. Law almost drew Lauretta in, but she decided against pursuing a career in it. She took a rather unusual turn professionally. Bucyrus Hatchery needed a secretary. Lauretta decided to apply. Not only did she get the job she purchased the business. In 1919, Dayton was holding an altitude test flight. Lauretta went to watch, and it changed her life. She was fascinated with the idea of flying. Ten years later, on August 10, 1929 she received her student pilot’s license and enrolled in flight school in Sycamore, OH. The owner of the flight school hired her as his advertising manager. Lauretta convinced him to move his airport from Sycamore to the bigger city of Bucyrus. Because of this, Lauretta became the first woman to establish and manage an airport.
A little over a year after receiving her student pilot license she received her pilot license, she was only one of a few women to have it, both in Ohio and the country. Due to her work with the Bucyrus airport, Lauretta was recognized and inducted into the Ninety-Nines, the international organization of licensed women pilots, in 1932.
In 1933, she formed the Emergency Flight Corps. Three years and 78 nurses later, it developed into the Aerial Nurses Corps of America. As war approached she tried to convince the Red Cross of the need for registered nurses serving in air ambulances or on-air transportation. In 1940 they rejected her idea. On November 30, 1942, the U.S. Army asked female nurses to apply to volunteer in air evacuation units through the Army Nurses Corps. In 1942 she was technical advisor and appeared in a film called Parachute Nurses. Lauretta served in the Women’s Army Corps at Travis Air Force Base as a dispatcher. In 1944 she was commissioned in the Women’s Army Corps.
She became the first post commander of the American Legion’s Amelia Earhardt Post 127 of Glendale CA. In 1966, the U.S. Air Force formally recognizes Lauretta as a pioneer in aviation and medical air evacuation. They awarded her gold wings of the flight nurse.
The Crawford Veterans Hall of Fame is Honored to induct Lauretta Schimmoler into the class of 2017.