NORTH ROBINSON, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—In the luckiest of school districts, some individuals give far more than their job requires—often continuing to serve long after retirement. Colonel Crawford has been no exception, with many notable staff members doing so, the most recent of whom will be stepping away after more than 40 years serving the district: Margie Hoyles.

For generations of Colonel Crawford students and families, Margie Hoyles was often the first face they saw when they walked through the school doors.

Hired in 1979, Hoyles began as an aide and later served as a secretary, bus coordinator, and assistant to the superintendent before retiring after 34 years.

However, her time in the district was not done: she found herself returning as a board of education member, where she served for 12 years, concluding her service at her final meeting this past Monday night.

“She has been a steady, compassionate presence—a true matriarch whose wisdom, care, and leadership guided countless decisions. She has always placed students, staff, and families at the heart of her work, ensuring our school remains strong and grounded in our community values. Her commitment went beyond meetings and policies. It showed in her genuine relationships and unwavering support for everyone she has served. As a trusted staple of the Colonel Crawford community, her influence will continue to be felt long after her retirement,” Superintendent Mike Voll began. “We—the board of education, administration, teachers, and staff—would like to extend our deepest gratitude and well wishes. We thank you for all you have done to make Colonel Crawford what it is today: a place where students lead, serve, and succeed.”

Margie’s last meeting brought a bigger crowd than usual, with many former board members, superintendents, students, and her husband in attendance. All who spoke reflected on Margie’s lasting impact on the district.

Former superintendent Ted Bruner shared a story that captured Margie’s compassion and quiet generosity—traits that defined her decades of service and left a lasting impression on countless students and families.

“She comes to a basketball game, and nobody can walk by her without stopping to see her, to make sure they’ve touched base with her—she’s like the queen,” Bruner joked as he began. “And there’s a reason. Back in the 80s, we had a rule for graduation that the guys had to wear black shoes, and there would be students who would come in and tell her that they weren’t going to graduation, and she would push them and push them to make sure they’d come. They would finally lean over to her and say, ‘I don’t have any black shoes.’ The next day, there would be a pair of black shoes, brand new, in a box for that young man to make sure he could come to graduation. And there’s a million stories like that of her.”

David Sheldon, current treasurer and boys basketball coach, also weighed in on his sentiments with Hoyles and the special place she holds in not just his, but his family’s hearts.

“Twenty years ago, when I got hired, Mrs. Hoyles went to Mr. Bruner and said, ‘How could you hire that mean guy’s son from Wynford?’ And it took six months, and she was watching everything—I was the guidance counselor at the time, athletic director, I had a lot of positions back then. And since then, she’s helped raise my kids because I have no grandparents here, and she’d have them when we [David and his wife Amy Taylor-Sheldon] were still coaching and had nobody to watch them,” Sheldon said. “It’s a family here because of people like her, and our other board members as well, which is neat because it’s not like that everywhere. She’s been the rock that kept Mr. Bruner in line as superintendent, Mr. Martin in line as superintendent, and now Mr. Voll in line as superintendent.”

Mrs. Hoyles’s kindness was noted many times over, such as when she served as secretary and knew every single one of the kids’ names, no matter who they were.

“Every student, almost on the first day of school, would walk in and be greeted personally by their first names, and it didn’t matter what they participated in or what they did. She made them feel special,” board member Anne Cole said. “I hosted our 30th class reunion a couple of summers ago, and Mrs. Hoyles came down, and she had our commencement program. She stepped out of her car and almost got every one of them right 30 years later.”

After hearing years of stories about her generosity and dedication, Hoyles addressed the board with humility and gratitude, reflecting on the relationships she built and the pride she felt in serving the district she has long called home.

“I spent many days in the hospital and Bucyrus Altercare, and I was so pleased by the number of kids who came in and remembered me, remembered their success from school. They love our school, and they love our faculty,” Hoyles began. “What a good time we had. What a wonderful learning experience, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for letting me serve for 40 years.”

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“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”

—Marian Wright Edelman