The Veteran Newsletter > January 2013 - Ohio Department of ...

January 2013 

THE VETERAN 

The Ohio Veterans Homes have been very blessed during 

the past year. It is appropriate at this time to thank all 

of our wonderful legion of volunteers and dedicated 

organizations who support us year in and year out as 

we “serve those who served.” 

The Ohio Veterans Homes have provided care to over 

50,000 of Ohio’s heroes. It is because of the generosity 

of our devoted volunteers and loyal organizations that 

we are able to provide them with the respect and dignity 

they so deserve. We look forward to a continued 

partnership in 2013. 

May your year be filled with happiness, fulfillment and 

peace. 

~ The Ohio Veterans Homes Administrative Staff

THE VETERAN IS 

In an effort to reduce costs and be 

environmentally friendly, The 

Veteran, will now be offered 

electronically. 

If you would prefer to receive The 

Veteran via email, please contact 

Kimberly Lewallen at 

Kimberly.Lewallen@dvs.ohio.gov. 

The Veteran is available online at 

www.ohioveteranshome.gov. 

Click on the Veterans Home tab 

Click on The Veteran Newsletter 

If you wish to be on The Veteran 

mailing list, please contact Kimberly 

Lewallen at 419-625-2454 ext. 1216 

or via email at 

Kimberly.Lewallen@dvs.ohio.gov 

2 

ELECTRONIC 

Holiday Observances 

Ohio Veterans Homes offices will be 

closed in observance of the following 

holidays: 

January 1—New Year’s Day 

January 21—Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

Newsletter Info 

Please send articles or ideas for inclusion 

in the next newsletter to the appropriate 

editor. 

Kimberly Lewallen-Sandusky Editor 

3416 Columbus Avenue 

Sandusky, OH 44870 

419-625-2454 ext. 1216 

Email: Kimberly.Lewallen@dvs.ohio.gov 

Pat Michalski-Georgetown Editor 

2003 Veterans Boulevard 

Georgetown, OH 45121 

937-378-2900 ext. 2739 

Email: Pat.Michalski@dvs.ohio.gov 

2 Georgetown 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

Welcome to Georgetown 

Richard A. Webb 

Birthplace: Niles, OH 

Branch of Service: Army 

Date of Service: 12/1945-10/1948 

Occupation: Factory Worker 

Interest:: Weightlifting, Exercising 

Wayne Cowles 

Birthplace: Oakland, Ky 



Occupation: Deckhand on River Barge Line 

Interest:: Hunting, Fishing, Cards 

Stanley Carter 

Birthplace: Clermont County, OH 



Occupation: General Electric 

Interest:: Crossword Puzzles, Country Music 

Willis Howard 

Birthplace: Barridge, KY 



Occupation: Foreman in Foundry 

Interest:: Gardening, Fishing, Hunting 

James Willis 

Birthplace: South Portsmouth, KY 



Occupation: Brick Layer 

Interest:: Fishing, Sports, Deer Hunting 

Wendell Smith 

Birthplace: Cincinnati, OH 



Occupation: Dock Worker 

Interest:: Walking, Yard Work 

A s 2013 begins, we are looking forward to a year at least as productive as 2013. 

Anniversaries that end in zeros are always significant and 2013 marks the 10 th 

anniversary of the Ohio Veterans Home – Georgetown. We will celebrate the 

occasion next November. 

OVH-G passed a couple of milestones during the past year. Our census was 141 for a 

few days – an all-time high. This month we will celebrate the second anniversary of 

the innovative hospice wing. We remain the only state veterans home in America 

with a separate, dedicated in-house hospice unit. The folks at Stein Hospice have 

done a great job with the unit and also set a census record during 2013. 

We are inspected, “surveyed” in nursing home-speak, twice each year – by the 

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). 

The VA survey was in November. The survey was impressive – we received no 

“exceptions,” as the VA terms insufficiencies. In fact, in the nine years that OVH-G 

has been surveyed by the VA, we have never received an exception – a record of 

which we are quite proud. 

As of this writing, Ohio Department of Health has not visited for our annual survey. 

In 2012, we initiated a public relations program. Mike Michalski is our Outreach 

Coordinator and is our contact with Veteran Service Offices, Veteran and Civic 

Organizations and the public in general. This year Mike has spoken to many groups, 

attended numerous county fairs and the Sandusky and Georgetown facilities 

sponsored a booth at the Ohio State fair for two weeks this year. 

In the coming year, the Ohio Veterans Home –Georgetown is embarking on a journey 

to change our philosophy for providing care to our Veterans. It’s called Person 

Centered Care (PCC) and its mission is to allow the veterans more options and 

choices in their day-to-day living. Living in a nursing home is, of course, not like 

living at home, no matter how nice the facility is, but PCC is designed to move 

toward a more home-like environment.

By OVH-Georgetown Administrator Andrew Vogel 

The holidays are over and we can 

all sit back and catch our breath – 

finally, huh? This past Christmas 

season was very active around the 

Ohio Veterans Home – 

Georgetown. 

In fact, Christmas is almost as big 

a deal with our Veterans as it is 

with their grandkids and great 

grandkids. It’s not surprising 

really, Veterans make up less than 

7% of the American populous. 

But, as a group they probably have 

spent more Christmases away from 

home than the rest of the 

population combined. And, many 

times Christmas was celebrated in 

God-forsaken places like North 

Africa, frigid Korean 

mountains, sweltering 

South Pacific islands, 

the jungles of 

Vietnam, or in Iraq 

and Afghanistan. 

The month of 

December started off 

with a bang! December 1 st our 

Veterans were honored as the 

Grand Marshals of the annual 

Georgetown Christmas parade. 

There were two decorated buses 

full; and the guys were decked out 

in Santa hats for the occasion. 

One of our cars was even sporting 

a huge Santa hat fashioned by 

Volunteer Services Coordinator 

Pat Michalski. 

The following week the Veterans 

were honored again when they 

threw the switch to light up the 

numerous Christmas trees for the 

annual Celebration of Lights at 

Southwest Regional Medical 

Center in Georgetown. 

Stein Hospice hosted its annual 

“Light up OVH” ceremony with a 

live tree that was donated to the 

facility. 

There were tons of visitors to the 

Home during the Christmas season. 

The American Legion Gifts for 

Yanks program made its annual 

pilgrimage to the facility and the 

VFW State Commander Chuck 

Keller also brought 

in a contingent. The 

Adams County DAV, 

Sardinia American 

Legion Auxiliary 

Juniors, The Bethel 

American Legion all 

hung out with the 

guys at various times. 

The Western Brown Men’s Singing 

Group, Forest Aires, pianist Peggy 

Warner, Ken Boland and guitarist 

Steve Featherson entertained, as 

did groups like Mack McCray who 

come on a regular basis. Southern 

Hills Career & 

Technical Center 

students made 

Christmas ornaments 

with the Veterans 

and Georgetown 

High school 

students distributed 

fruit. 

123 rd Air National 

Guard and the Western Brown 

ROTC cadets, Georgetown High 

School students and Georgetown 

Cub Scout Pack, along with girl 

scout and boy scout troops were 

here as well as companies such as 

Merchants Bank, Target Stores, 

Sam’s Club and Mary Kay. 

Oh, and the Jolly Ol’ Elf himself 

put in an appearance – several 

times. 

Cards from Afar 

Leslie Bruyns is a 4 th grade teacher 

at Lakeshore Elementary School in 

Rochester, N.Y. Her grandfather, 

Bernie Sheehan, was a resident at 

OVH-G until January 2010. 

Remembering how 

Mr. Sheehan would 

hang cards in his 

room, this past 

Veterans Day Ms. 

Bruyns’ class sent 

cards to our Veterans; 

and in December they 

sent Christmas cards, 

as well. She asked that 

we hang the cards in 

Veterans’ rooms as her grandfather 

had done. That is, indeed, the spirit 

of the season. 

Georgetown 3

Chaplain’s Corner……...By Chaplain Bill Kirby 

Regard Not Your Stuff….. 

4 Georgetown 

Loren Isley was an anthropologist and essayist. He 

was gifted in seeing deeply into a situation then 

relaying that experience in such a manner that the 

reader can share his experience. Here’s one of his 

vignettes that will explain what I mean. 

He tells of the day he leaned out of a second story 

window and saw an old junk dealer riding in a cart 

filled with discarded clothing, furniture, an 

assortment of broken down metal objects, and the cart 

was being drawn by an equally broken down horse. As the 

decrepit figures passed below him, Isley had a sudden sense 

of what time means in its passing and he wrote, “It’s all 

going… no one can hold it, for the junk man is the symbol of 

all that is going or gone.” 

As we begin a brand new year, this scene says to us 1) never 

regard time without having a deep sense of wonder and 2) 

every moment is a gift from God to you. 

There is a story of Joseph in the Old Testament. How Joseph 

ended up in Egypt, finding favor with Pharoah, and became a 

trusted official. In the providence of God, Joseph came face 

to face with his betraying brothers. The brothers had come 

to ask for food from the person they had cast away. With the 

blessing of Pharoah, Joseph invites all his family to come to 

Egypt and give no thought to their goods, for the land of 

Egypt has plenty. But I like the way King James Version 

says it, “regard not your stuff.” 

By the time we become adults, we’ve accumulated a lot of 

stuff. But it’s not only the physical stuff, but the emotional 

baggage we gather as well. 

Consider the fact that sometimes we learn wrong things. 

Maybe we’ve learned to respond to circumstances in a 

destructive manner. Sometimes we adopt snarling, 

biting, and snipping as a response. We may 

become cynical, burdened down, and habit bound. 

Did you know the good word for us as we begin a 

new year is, we can choose to “leave our stuff 

behind.” 

Let’s plan to drop from our weary bended backs some 

stuff we can gladly leave behind. It will make the new year a 

whole lot easier and much more exciting. With God’s help, 

we can endeavor to leave behind: 1) self pity – you know 

that feeling we get when we perceive we’ve been treated 

unfairly by family, our children/step children, etc. 2) False 

responsibility – that’s responsibility we claim for ourselves 

that doesn’t belong to us. That’s a huge bundle to leave 

behind. 3) There’s this thing that Charles Wesley called 

“cancelled sin.” Sometimes we carry around a burden of sin 

that has already been forgiven. Everyone has things in their 

past. Sin left alone is malignant, but once forgiven is benign. 

Cancelled, benign sin has no destructive power, so leave it 

behind. 

Let’s not regard this 

stuff and drag this 

bundle into our new 

year – then we will 

have a Happy, New 

Year! 

VFW Post #3954 purchased TV’s for the 

residents, pictured are VFW State and 

Post Officers and Sam’s Club Manager, 

Felix Leshey. Accepting donations for 

OVH are Mike and Pat Michalski. 

Picture on right-VFW State, District and 

Local Officers, they distributed gifts to 

all of the OVH Residents. 

123rd Air National Guard Unit 

bringing gifts and playing card bingo 

with the residents.

Clothing, Gifts and Miscellaneous 

DAV Auxiliary Unit #63 

American Legion Post #180 

American Legion Auxiliary Post #694 

VFW Post #8287 


Williamsburg Twp Emergency Services Assoc. 

Ladies Auxiliary Military Order of the Purple 

Heart Unit #3620 

American Legion Auxiliary Unit #288 

Mr. Ethan Rudd 

DAV Chapter #71 

American Legion Auxiliary Juniors Post #755 

DAR, c/o Phyllis Wahl 

Mike Sidwell 

Richard Meholick 

123 Air National Guard Unit 

Southwest Regional Medical Center Employees 

Windchester American Legion Post #179 

American Legion, Department of Ohio, 

Gifts for Yanks 

Williamsburg Twp Emergency Services Assoc. 


Georgetown High School FFA and FCCLA Students 

Sam’s Club, c/o Felix Lashey 

VFW, Department of Ohio 


Clermont County Veterans Service 

Commission 

Cards and Letters 

Hamersville Baptist WMU 

DAR Taliaferro Chapter 

DAV Auxiliary Unit #63 


Lakeshore School 4th Grade Students 

Ramona Clay 

William Daughterty, Sr. 

Cards and Letters 

Hudson High School Students 

Incarcerated Veterans of America 

Russellville Girl Scout Troop 

DAV Auxiliary Unit 45 

Richard H. Buchholz 

Watkins Middle School 

Air Force Junior ROTC 

Brown County K-9 Renegades 4-H Club 

Entertainment/Parties/Outings 


Ohio Elks Association 

DAV Department of Ohio 

VFW Post #9094, Hillsboro 


OVH V.A.C. Sandusky 

AMVETS Department of Ohio 

AMVETS Auxiliary Department of Ohio 

Angie Bridges 


OCSEA Local 11-AFSCME-AFL-CIO 

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Derr 

General Fund 

AMVETS Post #733 







Nancy C. Dick 

Ms. Lorna M. Johnson 

American Veterans Foundation 

Harold and Linda Graham 

John Merrill 

Women Veterans 

DAV Auxiliary Chapter #63 

Bingo Funds and Prizes 

VFW #9094, Hillsboro 




Nancy Vela 

Target Store Managers c/o Cheryl Syson-Lau 

Memorial Donations 

In Memory Of John W. Fecker 

Christine Combs 

In Memory Of Russell Slagle 

Mark Reed 

Gregory Tissot 

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Slagle 

Darrell Edward 

In Memory Of Meredith Nicley 

Mabel J. Clay 

Mr. & Mrs. John McCarthy 

Mr. Charles Wisbey 

Hillsboro Eastern Star Chapter #441 

In Memory Of Tillman Mosley 

Zakiya Merrill 

In Memory Of Tom Kiser 

Fayette Central Elementary School 

VFW State Commander 

Chuck Keller 

VFW 4th District 

Senior Vice 

Commander, 

Gary Perkins 

Thank you so much VFW 

Drew Vogel, OVH Administrator accepting a 

donation from VFW Post 9622

It is through the generous contributions of organizations and individuals that we are able to provide many of the “niceties or 

extras” as we care for our residents. The OVH Volunteer Committee is a 501(c)3 organization established solely for providing 

goods and services to the Ohio Veterans Home for the benefit of its residents, please make checks payable to OVH Volunteer 

Committee and designate which fund you are contributing to. If you do not indicate a fund, it will be placed into the General 

Fund to be used as needed. If you need more information, please call Volunteer Services 937-378-2900 ext. 2739. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adopt-A-Vet Program support for residents without an income 

Monetary donations to support gasoline purchases for activities & special trips 

Books of postage stamps for mailing cards to loved ones 

Prizes for bingo games 

Financial support for social and recreational activities and special entertainment 

Support for residents monthly television cable 

Newspaper and magazine subscriptions 

OVH-Georgetown Resident Council voted for 

employee and resident of the month for December 

01/03 Robert Cook 

01/03 Landen Elswick Jr. 

01/05 Louis Adkins 

01/06 Frederick Steurer 

01/13 Charles McMichen 

01/17 Russell Jackson 

01/27 Denton Meade 

01/29 Ansel Shindeldecker 

02/01 Hershell Hanley 

02/01 John Ralston 

02/04 Albert Dupps 

02/05 Albert Kees 

02/06 John Dunn 

02/07 Lloyd Martin 

02/08 John Chidester 

02/15 Bernard Rogers 

02/16 Milford Merrill 

02/16 Samuel Willis 

02/20 Donald Canby 

02/22 Thomas Gruber 

02/25 Arthur Smith 

02/27 Wilfred Downing 

Employee 

Candy Ogden 

LPN C2 Unit 

Resident Wallace Limbacher, 

C2 Unit 

08..C2 Unit, Coffee Social 

08..A2 Unit, Walmart and Lunch at Ponderosa 

10..Ripley American Legion Auxiliary Bingo 2:00 p.m. 

14..American Legion Auxiliary Post #179 Ice Cream Social 

and Bingo 2:00 p.m. 

15..C2 Unit, Shopping in Milford 

15..Singing with Sandy 2:00 p.m. 

17..Hillsboro VFW Pizza and Bingo Party 2:00 p.m. 

22..C2 Unit, Chili Cookoff 

6 Georgetown 

22..A1 Unit, Outing to Bob Evans 

25..Elks Monthly Birthday Party 2:00 p.m. 

29..C2 Unit, Cream Puff Social 

Religious Services 

Church Services C1 Every Tuesday 2:00 pm 

Church Services Every Sunday 2:00 pm, MDR 

Catholic Services First Tuesday, Chapel 9:30 am 

Bible Study Every Wednesday, Chapel 2:00 pm

17 Target Store Managers brought 

carts of presents and played bingo 

with the Veterans. 

Donation from OCSEA President Jeff Condo, 

accepting donation is Drew Vogel, OVH 

Administrator and Pat Michalski, Volunteer 

Services Coordinator 

Forrest Aires performing at OVH Georgetown thanks to Santa 

(Bob Derr) and Mary Derr. 


presenting donation to Pat Michalski, 

OVH Volunteer Services Coordinator 

Target Store Manager Cheryl 

Syson-Lau was the organizer for 

the event. 

Mary Derr 

American Legion 

Post Commander, 

Joe Farrell 

5 

Georgetown

OVH Living Room 

AMVETS Department of 

Ohio VAVS, Don Limer, 

Past State Aux. President, 

Sonja Limer and Jim 

Bingamon VAVS 

Assistant. Thanks for 

helping to host a 

wonderful Christmas 

Party.

Welcome to Sandusky 

George Anderson, Cleveland 


Date of Service: 1967-19696 

Occupation: General Motors 

Interests: Sports, church, boxing 

Lewis Makay, Vermilion 



Occupation: Meat Market Owner 

Interests: Golf 

Denise Lewinski, Oregon 



Occupation: Truck Driver, Fireman 

Interests: Motorcycles, music 

Robert Yettke, Cleveland 



Occupation: American Greetings 

Interests: Animals, TV, music 

Charles Montgomery, Mansfield 



Occupation: Brick Mason 

Interests: TV, reading, socializing 

Vets Hall admissions 

from 

11/11-12/10 

John Sattler D2 

Eugene Vaughn D1 

John Wycoff D2 

Thomas Johnson D2 

Douglas Steinmetz A1 

BIRTHDAY LISTS 

Birthday lists are available if you 

wish to participate in our birthday 

card program. 

For more information, contact 

Kimberly Lewallen at 

419-625-2454 ext. 1216 or 

Kimberly Lewallen @dvs.ohio.gov. 

Edward Burhenn, Canton 

Branch of Service: Navy 


Occupation: Photographer, Farmer 

Interests: animals, photography, farming 

Alvin Osborn, Vermilion 

Branch of Service: Navy 


Occupation: Maintenance at Ford 

Interests: Bowling, fishing, music 

Elbert Walker, Middlefield 

Branch of Service: Air Force 

Date of Service: 1961-1965; 1969-1976 

Occupation: Truck Driver 

Interests: Airplanes 

Claire Welling, Bowling Green 



Occupation: Farrner 

Interests: Dogs, music, church 

James Preble, Fremont 

Branch of Service: Marines 


Occupation: Factory Worker 

Interests: Hunting, TV, westerns, dogs 

Vital Statistics 

Vets Hall transfers to 

Nursing Home from 

11/11-12/10 

John Wickiser 

Howard Wingfield 

Calvin Miller 

Census as of 

12/10/2012 

Nursing Home 424 

Veterans Hall 172 

Total 596 

Immediate placement 

in Veterans Hall 

SCOREBOARD 

Wii Bowling: 

Cornhole: 

Checkers: 

1st—Hubert Appling 

2nd—Dave Montgomery 

3rd—Art Smrcina 

1st—Charles Berstling 

& Hayward Bolyard 

1st—Hubert Appling 

2nd—Ed Suita 

3rd—John Wycoff 

……………………………………………………………………………………………… 

WINTER 

WISH LIST 

The Wish List was established to 

seek donations for those items that 

will enhance the lives of our veterans. 

To avoid duplication of purchases, 

please contact Kimberly 

Lewallen, Volunteer Coordinator 

at 419-625-2454 ext. 1216 or 

Kimberly.Lewallen@dvs.ohio.gov. 

Entertainment Fund $150.00+ 

Activities Fund $200.00+ 

Medical Equipment $50.00+ 

Furniture Fund $50.00+ 

Adopt-A-Veteran $50.00+ 

All checks for donations should be 

made payable to the Ohio Veterans 

Home and earmarked for the 

item(s) you or your organization 

wish to purchase. Ohio Veterans 

Home staff will handle the ordering 

process. 

If you are interested in sponsoring 

a project, please call Volunteer 

Services for more information. 

Projects range from $5,000 up. 

When sending your donation, 

please be sure to include the fund 

to which you are contributing. If 

you do not indicate a fund, the 

donation will be placed in the 

General Fund. 

Ohio Veterans Home staff were onhand 

to serve a special holiday 

dinner to the Veterans Hall 

residents. L to R: Deborah Kieffer, 

DVS Director Thomas Moe, Ronald 

Lutz and Buffy Andrews 

Sandusky 

9

January 

Birthdays 

O1 Ray D. Gardner 

02 Charles D. Diebold 

John B. Gattino 

03 Robert A. Thurston 

05 Gordon B. Ball 

Arnold J. Simmons 

06 Theodore B. Mason 

07 Donald E. Shattuck 

Gerald E. Palmer 

08 James A. Schieferstein 

09 Dent Walters 

Edward M. Suita 

10 Christian R. Mandel 

12 Steven J. Kerepesi 

13 Donald L. Casada 

Ronald D. Casada 

Levi Grayson 

Albert Y. Martin 

14 Wasyl Nazar 

Bruce E. McKay 

16 Howard Landoll 

Willie J. Jordan 

Kenneth Lessam 

17 Adam R. Ellebruch 

Stephen D. Zych 

18 Klement P. Cervenak 

Walter A. Davis 

19 James B. Sapp 

Thomas G. Beresford 

20 Dominic R. Violi 

21 David M. Johnson 

Thomas O. Dills 

23 Hubbert T. Register 

24 Gladys I. Ford 

Richard D. Brewer 

25 Bernard D. Kenney 

Eddie W. Dumont 

William W. Weir 

27 Leonard H. Franks 

Franklin D. Cates 

28 Frank A. Scippa 

29 William S. Kiss 

Jerry J. Johnson 

Ronald T. Stevens 

10 Sandusky 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

Ohio Veterans Home Receives 

State Cemetery Grant 

The Ohio Veterans Home-Sandusky 

was the recipient of a $798,987 

grant check for cemetery improvements 

at a ceremony held at 11 

a.m. November 20 at the Home. 

The grant, announced by Secretary 

Eric K. Shinseki of the U.S. Department 

of Veterans Affairs (VA), provides 

for 100 percent of the allowable 

costs associated with the improvement 

and maintenance of the 

Ohio Veterans Home Cemetery. 

“We’re very thankful to receive this 

grant,” said Rick Hatcher, Superintendent 

of the Ohio Veterans 

Homes. “Many of our residents and 

families choose our cemetery as a 

final resting place, and this will help 

us make it one that’s worthy of the 

service given by the generations of 

veterans who are buried there.” 

“Our veterans’ cemeteries are places 

of honor and respect,” said Tom 

Moe, Director of the Ohio Department 

of Veterans Services. “This 

cemetery holds the mortal remains 

of our earliest residents, the veterans 

of the Civil War, right up to 

many of our residents that we’ve 

lost this year. This grant helps us 

preserve the cemetery as an appropriate 

memorial for the veterans of 

today and the future.” 

The project will improve the cemetery 

by replacing, realigning and 

cleaning the headstones; maintaining 

the turf; and filling in and replacing 

turf where needed in low spots 

throughout the cemetery due to 

poor drainage. Several nearlyillegible 

headstones will be replaced. 

Any headstones that crack 

or break during the project will also 

be replaced. The contract for the 

work was awarded to Hoty Enterprises 

of Sandusky. The actual work 

within the cemetery will be performed 

by Avatara Services LLC, a 

service-disabled veteran-owned 

business in Asheville, North Carolina. 

Work is expected to start on or 

around November 19, 2012 with 

tree removal; followed by an assessment 

on or 

around 

November 26 of the total scope of 

work to be done. Improvements to 

the headstones and turf are scheduled 

to begin the second week in 

March 2013, weather permitting. 

From that point, the project is expected 

to take approximately 90 

days for the entire work to be completed. 

VA's Veterans Cemetery Grants 

Program is designed to complement 

the VA’s 131 national cemeteries 

across the country by funding improvements 

to state veterans’ cemeteries. 

Since 1980, the program 

has awarded 

grants totaling 

more than $483 

million to establish, 

expand, improve, 

operate and maintain 

87 veterans 

cemeteries in 41 

states and territories 

including tribal 

trust lands, Guam, 

and Saipan. These 

state cemeteries 

provided nearly 

29,000 burials in 

2011.

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT—Judy Greenberg 

-by Everette E. Parker, DOM+ Resident 

Judy Greenberg, an Air Force veteran, 

and a nurse, still fives real meaning to 

the Nurse’s motto of TLC (Tender, 

Loving Care). Judy has continued that 

motto in her life at the Ohio Veterans 

Home since arriving in 2009. 

Judy extends her caring to every day 

life as she strives to meet and greet 

each newcomer to OVH, which included 

welcoming a Roman Catholic Priest 

(who has since left) on his arrival. 

A native of Cleveland, she was born in 

a Jewish home, but has been a Christian 

most of her life. 

She enjoys the friendship and fellowship 

in life here at OVH. She especially 

enjoys the Tuesday afternoon Bible 

study led by Chaplain Paul Birmingham, 

as well as his Sunday morning 

non-denominational 

worship service. 

Having grown up in 

Shaker Heights, she is 

a graduate of Mt. Sinai 

Hospital School of 

Nursing and followed 

her career in many 

cities before and after 

her service in the Air 

Force. 

Judy has a sister and a 

brother, both now living in Arizona. 

They manage to visit her here once a 

year, but she doesn’t like to travel the 

long distance to visit them. 

Since coming here, she has had two 

knee replacements, but she 

doesn’t let that interfere 

with her long-time TLC 

habit. She gets around 

nicely and comfortably 

with her walker. 

To her, OVH is far more 

than just a retirement home 

for veterans, it is her 

HOME from now on, so 

far as current plans are 

concerned. She is happy 

and comfortable here. So 

are her many friends, thanks to her 

continued TLC. 

In an effort to ensure that any clothing that you bring to the Ohio Veterans Home for your loved one is not misplaced or mistakenly 

given to a different resident, we are instituting a new labeling process in January 2013. It will be as follows: 

1. Family members/caregivers will drop off all clothing at the Laundry Drop-Off Station. This station is located in the short 

hallway across from the Secrest Chapel just past the Secrest Front Desk. 

2. Family members/caregivers will fill out a clothing drop-off form. The form will include information such as the name of the 

resident who the clothing is intended for, what the articles of clothing are and the quantity of each article of clothing. 

3. Family members/caregivers will insert the clothing into a drop-off bag along with the completed drop-off form and the bag 

will be placed in the laundry chute at the Laundry Drop-Off Station. 

4. The Laundry Department will promptly label, launder and distribute the clothing to the resident. 

We appreciate your cooperation with this change in service. If you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to contact 

Adam Brazie, Support Services Supervisor at Adam.Brazie@dvs.ohio.gov or 419.625.2454 x 1630. 

Taps 

11/11 Neal Doerrer 

11/22 David Montgomery 

11/27 Paul Hoch 

11/27 William Maletz 

11/28 David Cole 

12/5 George Hehl 

12/7 Agnes Tomazin 

12/7 William Martin 

12/9 David Richards 

Sandusky 

11

DONATIONS TO 

OVH-VAC, INC. 

The Ohio Veterans Home Volunteer 

Advisory Committee (OVH- 

VAC, Inc.) is a 501(c)3 established 

solely for providing goods and services 

to the Ohio Veterans Home 

for the benefit of its residents. 

Donations received during the 

month of November: 

AMVETS 55, Sheffield Lake 

AMVETS 112, Newton Falls 

AMVETS 6, Massillon 

American Legion 99, Toledo 

VFW 8686, Sheffield Lake 

James Deely, Chardon 

United Way of Erie County— 

Employee Payroll Deductions 

Army-Navy Garrison, Galion 

Elks 465, Elyria 

VFW 1078, Bucyrus 

VFW 6941, Wellington 

American Legion Aux., 41, Norwalk 

When contributing to our 501(c)3, 

please make your check payable to 

OVH-VAC, Inc. 

Al Lonz, Chairman 

OVH Volunteer, Terry 

Nichols spreads holiday 

cheer with Pet Therapy 

dog, Wicket. 

………………………………………………………………………………………… 

Road Soldiers News 

This article brings to a close 

Lance’s contributions to The 

Veteran Newsletter as the 

writer for the Road Soldiers 

Cycling Club of the OVH. 

Retirement looms on New 

Year’s Eve after 24.75 years 

of civil service that followed 

2 years of contract services 

and a couple of years of 

volunteer work. It has been a 

long and interesting journey. 

Perhaps the best part of my 

(Lance’s) role at the OVH 

has been the Road Soldiers 

Cycling Club. For 17 

seasons, from a very, very 

modest start in the summer of 

’96 to now, the day after our 

2012 Christmas Banquet, the 

Road Soldiers have been 

gathering together to promote 

cycling, but more 

importantly, a fellowship of 

riders, drivers, and 

volunteers. It is the 

fellowship of the members 

that is the most important 

thing in the experience and 

existence of the club! While 

we ride and do cyclingrelated 

things, it is the bond 

of fellowship that has made 

the club special and kept it 

going through all kind of 

weather and events – both on 

and off campus. 

You’ll note, in the above 

paragraph, that I wrote the 

same thing thrice about the 

importance of the RSCC 

fellowship. Looking back on 

all the miles and events of 17 

seasons, I’ve come to realize 

that the RSCC provided the 

best kind of social service 

there is in the Home. The 

RSCC has prompted and 

inspired people to get up, get 

active, get moving and get 

involved. While so doing it 

has created a family and 

bonds of friendship that have, 

in some cases, set aside years 

of inactivity and isolation 

among various individuals. 

The club has also consistently 

had a service mentality 

wherein it has not just taken 

from the cycling resources in 

Ohio or the OVH, but has 

sought to contribute to them. 

We are part of the Firelands 

Rails-to-Trails Organization 

and have linked up to many, 

many service posts and trail 

judicatories across the state. 

We have consistently sought 

to promote the advantages 

and opportunities of the OVH 

to any who would listen to 

our message. Our trailer, 

alone, is a huge rolling bill 

board for the Home that 

advertises OVH wherever it 

goes. None of this happened 

by accident, but has been a 

planned and purposeful thrust 

of the club to increase a 

positive awareness of the 

OVH in all that we do. 

As I move on into retirement 

and my involvement with two 

different volunteer trail patrol 

organizations, I’ll stay busy 

with cycling and contributing 

to 

cycling-related 

organizations in two different 

counties. I’ve learned that 

one has to remain active, in 

retirement, or one soon dies; 

the only reasonable thing to 

do is keep active, keep 

involved, and keep 

contributing. That, I intend 

to do. 

I close this last article with a 

words if thanksgiving. First 

to Jackie Grendow, RN/CD, 

who was my first supervisor 

here, and who “instructed” 

me and a resident to go riding 

together. That order begat 

what is now the Road 

Soldiers. 

I also thank all the 

administrative commitment to 

let the RSCC flourish over 

the years, but even more 

importantly, perhaps, is 

thanksgiving to the 

departments and workers who 

accommodated the RSCC and 

my involvement in it. My 

social service peers picked up 

the slack when I was out “in 

the boonies” with the club. 

Dietary workers provided 

provender to keep us fed and 

hydrated. The police 

department and maintenance 

department made sure we had 

motor vehicles to get to our 

venues. Our treasury handled 

purchase orders and simple 

cash outlays. We could not 

have done what we have done 

without all that subtle and 

invisible commitment and 

support! 

Additionally, I owe 

thanksgiving to the wonderful 

people in the military service 

posts across Ohio who have 

opened their posts and hearts 

to us for years. How many 

meals and how much 

fellowship and acceptance we 

received in all the corners of 

the state! So, too, we have 

enjoyed the support of many 

Veterans Service Officers and 

Offices as well as trail 

judicatories (park districts 

and trail organizations). We 

even enjoy the support of one 

National Park (the Cuyahoga 

Valley National Park). 

Finally, I say “Thank you!” to 

the 183 veterans who have 

ridden with the club over my 

17 years. I am deeply 

indebted to you for your 

fellowship, friendship and 

activity. You are what made 

punching the clock 

worthwhile. If OVH was the 

“cake” of my professional 

service, the Road Soldiers 

was certainly the “icing,” the 

sweetest and most desirable 

part! I thank you all! 

Yours in wheelin’ about, 

Lance N. Franke, Staff 

Liaison 

12 Sandusky

Acknowledgements 

NOVEMBER 2012 

MONETARY DONATIONS 

Activities 

Michael Waldecki, Sandusky 


Birthday Luncheon 

American Legion Department of Ohio 

VFWA Department of Ohio 

DAV Department of Ohio 


Vietnam Veterans of America #774 

Ohio AMVETS VAVS 

CWV 1905, Sandusky 

KOC Veterans Fund, Sandusky 

Canteen Books 


Chapel Fund 

Rev. Paul Birmingham, Sandusky 

Delbert Cole, Sandusky 

Christmas Fund 

DAV #18, Ashland 

Elks Lodge BPOE National Service 

Ohio AMVETS VAVS 

VFWA Department of Ohio 

Christmas Joy 

VFW of Ohio Charities 


American Legion Aux. #83, Sandusky 

DAVA State of Ohio 

American Legion Aux. Dept. of Ohio 

Computer Lab 

Michael Waldecki, Sandusky 

General Fund 

DAR Hannah Crawford Chapter, Bucyrus 

Army & Navy Aux. 422, Warren 

Charles & Martha Thatcher, Canton 

DAR James Fowler Chapter, Medina 

Kelly & Barry Boutwell, Findlay 

General Fund 

Sandra Schleter 

CWV #639, Toledo 

Little Flower Rosary-Alter Society, Toledo 

Nat’l Road Good Sam Chap. 14, Perrysville 

American Legion Auxiliary #384, Whitehouse 

AMVETS #6, Massilon 

VFW Charities of Ohio 

Louis Theisen, Norwalk 

Veterans Hall 

American Gold Star Mothers, Findlay 

IN-KIND DONATIONS 

Bingo Funds 

MOC Grand of Ohio 

Birthday/Holiday Cards 

Westlake Community Services, Westlake 

Fay Pickering, Westlake 

Carmen Marin, Westlake 

Madelayne Saionzkowski, Curtice 

Ruth Steele, Sandusky 

AITP, Uniontown 

Ruby Schiller, Washington CH 

Elks Lodge #1191, Galion 

Ramona Clay, Wellston 

American Legion Auxiliary #83 

Carrie Pennington, VA 

Mary Kay Barber, Westerville 

Judy Gibson, Westerville 

AMVETS Post 31, Ontario 

VFWA, Clyde 

Pamela Crow, Bellevue 

DAVA #45, Jackson 

Rose Foos, Fremont 

Barbara Miller, Bucyrus 

American Legion Auxiliary #324, Curtice 

First Presbyterian Church, Perrysville 

Kathy Loeffler, Maumee 

Columbus Downtown High School 

Cambridge Rubber Stampers 

Florence Schroeder, Leipsic 

St. James School, Waynesburg 

American Legion Aux. #0003, Findlay 

Holy Cross Catholic School, Defiance 

Lewis Reinhart, Fostoria 

Edison Middle School, Berlin Heights 

St. John Nurturing Center, Elliston 

NDCL, Chardon 

Amherst Jr. High, Amherst 

Miscellaneous Items 

Alfred DiVencenzo, Grafton 

John Hensley, Sandusky 

Mae Schlotz, Grand Rapids 

Carol McCullough, Willoughby 

Kim Samstag, Sandusky 

James & Melissa Varrecchia, Pt. Clinton 

Stow Community Church, Stow 

Rita Bilancini, Amherst 

Janet Grogoza, Shelby 

Blue Star Mothers #26, Huron 

VFW Auxiliary #421, Fostoria 

American Legion Auxiliary #279, Elmore 

Area Agency on Aging, Mansfield 

Browning Masonic , Waterville 

Personal Care Items 

KOC #3019, Grafton 

Janet Grogoza, Shelby 

Blue Star Mothers #26, Huron 

Elks Lodge # 1718, Port Clinton 

MEMORIAL DONATIONS 

In Memory of Frank Marcucci 

Adele Marcucci, PA 

In Memory of Mahlon Miller 

Wonderly-Horvath Funeral Home 

In Memory of John Konecsni 

Jean Samenuk, Middleberg Heights 

In Memory of Neal Doerrner 

Susanna Evans, Mansfield 

Toby & Vickie Russell, Bucyrus 

Dennis & Renate Gladden, Mansfield 

Virginia Hagan, Chagrin Falls 

Cynthia Yeagle, Mansfield 

Vivian Culler, Mansfield 

Thank you for your generosity and support. You are deeply appreciated by the veterans, families and staff at the Home. These gifts iill enhance 

the quality of life of our residents. 

If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Kimberly Leiallen at 419-625-2454 x. 1216 or Kimberly.Leiallen@dvs.ohio.gov. 

If you are interested in making a donation in memory of a loved one, you may do so by sending your check or money order to: Ohio Veterans 

Home, Attention: Treasury, 3416 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870. Earmark the check or insert note “in memory of.” You may also designate 

hoi you iould like to see your contribution used, i.e. Activities, Medical Equipment, etc. If you have any questions, please call 419-625-2454 

x1510. 

Sandusky 

13

The holidays have come to a close and were 

extremely successful. Our many thanks to 

all those remembering our veterans at the 

Ohio Veterans Home. The photos on this 

page represent just a few of the many 

groups and individuals that took their time to 

make the holidays extra special for our residents. 

Special thanks to the VFW & 

VFWA, AMVETS, AMVETS Aux., & 

Sons, American Legion & American Legion 

Auxiliary and the DAV & DAV Auxiliary 

(not pictured) for their wonderful Christmas 

Parties and Handouts. The OVH Representatives 

and their supporters outdid themselves 

again this year! 

REPRESENTATIVES: 

American Legion—Lester “Butch” Barnum 

American Legion Aux.—Nancy Longbrake 

AMVETS—William Edwards 

AMVETS Aux.—Linda Johnston 

Sons of AMVETS—Dan Briggs 

DAV—Stuart Heaberlin 

DAVA—Joyce Hutchinson 

VFW—Jim Pisegna 

VFWA—Pamela Crow

American Legion Officers and members bring the 

Gift For Yanks Program to OVH Georgetown 

THE "GIFTS FOR 

YANKS" program makes 

Christmas a more joyous 

occasion for the thousands 

of Ohio Veterans who are 

hospitalized each year 

during the Holiday Season 

in Ohio's VA hospitals, 

state mental health facilities 

and the Ohio Veterans 

Home. Thousands of 

dollars, which have been 

contributed through local 

Legion Posts by members, 

businesses and individual 

donors, are spent on gifts 

for these unfortunate 

veterans. 

……………………………………………………………………………… 

3416 COLUMBUS AVENUE 

SANDUSKY, OHIO 44870 

PHONE (419) 625-2454 

Two locations to serve Ohio’s veterans 

Sandusky—Georgetown 

Both Locations Offer: 

A medical director, a team of physicians, dentists, 

an optometrist, and other specialists. 

Skilled Nursing Care 

Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses 

State Tested Nurses Aides 

Pharmaceutical Services 

Social Services 

Recreational - Activity Therapists 

Dietary and Laundry Services 

Barber and Beauty Salon Services 

Pastoral Services 

Standard 

Pre-Sort 

US Postage Paid 

Sandusky OH 

44870-5598 

Permit No 45 

How To Apply: 

Applications for admission are available at any 

County Veterans Service Office 

On the Internet at www.ohioveteranshome.gov 

By mail to: Ohio Veterans Home 

3416 Columbus Avenue 

Sandusky, Ohio 44870 

Or 

2003 Veterans Boulevard 

Georgetown, Ohio 45121 

Call Toll Free at 1-866-644-6838 

Option 1 for Georgetown 

Option 2 & 3 for Sandusky

The Veteran Newsletter > January 2013 - Ohio Department of ...

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