By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County celebrated the lives of local residents who have shown great longevity – surviving the Great Depression and living through wars. They raised families, lived on farms, got college degrees, faced hardships and contributed to their communities.
On Monday, the Wood County Committee on Aging held its 14th annual 90-Plus Spectacular, honoring those who made it to their ninth decade and beyond.
“We really appreciate all the resiliency you have,” said Danielle Brogley, program coordinator at the Wood County Senior Center.
They were butchers, nurses, mail carriers, soldiers, pilots, pastors, accountants, teachers, proud parents and grandparents. One came to the U.S. without being able to speak a word of English.
Many of the seniors shared lasting memories – of riding a camel in the Australian Outback, getting a motorbike, dancing with their future spouses for the first time, and of playing accordion with a band for 50 years and organ at church for 65 years.
And they passed on advice for younger generations – including the ingredients of one 94-year-old woman’s “everyday survival kit.”
Following are a few snapshots of their memories and their advice for a good life.
Denny Barrett, 95, an accountant, recalled Boogie Woogie dancing in his future wife’s backyard on the day they met. He accidentally tossed her into the bushes, but they eventually did get married. His piece of advice to future generations is to “be good to your parents and to your kids.”
Kathleen Buehrer, 95, grew up in the Hawaiian islands. She took dictation for a living and was a schoolteacher. A significant memory for her is the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Ralph E. Burnside, 90, grew up in Cygnet, and was a land surveyor and worked for the Ohio Department of Transportation. A treasured memory in his life was buying a Whizzer motorbike with money he had worked hard to save. He still owns a Whizzer motorbike today. His piece of advice is to “get a good education, work hard at a job you like, set goals, think positive, and believe in yourself.”
Jane Cajka, 94, grew up in Northwood, was a housewife and worked in an office at Bostwick Braun and Wholesale Hardware. A significant memory from her life was being raised on a farm with 11 siblings – she loved growing up in a big family. Her piece of advice to future generations is to be honest and be close to Jesus.
Cliff Campbell, 92, was a letter carrier for the Maumee post office for 37 years. His significant memories include camping with family for over 35 years, Western square dancing, and playing Santa Claus at Kmart. His piece of advice to future generations is “if you want to do something, do it when you are young because when you get older you can’t do it.”
Peggy Carsey, 93, was a secretary for two deans at Ohio University. Her most significant memory is flying to the territory of Alaska to marry Seldon, who was in the Air Force. Her piece of advice for future generations is to be kind and generous.
Norah Colapietro, 100, grew up in Rossford. During World War II, she worked at LOF and was a head cashier at Rossford Bank. Her advice to future generations is to live each day and be happy.
Grace Cron, 92, grew up in Tontogany, and went on to teach music at Sycamore, Pettisville, and Otsego schools. Meaningful memories from her life include relationships with her students. She considered them as her kids, and some still visit her. Her piece of advice was to “not hurry and take your time.”
Maxine Cross, 94, worked at Huntington Bank for 30 years. Her piece of advice to future generations is to make many friends and keep them through church and neighbors.
Clifton Falls, 93, grew up in Lake Township. He is retired from the U.S. Army, was a regional director for insurance claims, a pilot, flight instructor, and computer programmer. Significant memories in his life are “too many to list.” His piece of advice to future generations is “every day is a good day, live it to the fullest.”
Emmy Hann, 94, grew up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She was a registered dietitian in the U.S. Army and at Wood County Hospital, and an instructor at BGSU and Owens. A significant memory for her was meeting her husband at a State Department lecture. That meeting produced 56 years of marriage. Her piece of advice to future generations is to “set goals early in your life and work to achieve them.”
Rosemary Henderson, 95, grew up in East Alton, Illinois, and attended Bowling Green State University. She was a special needs teacher in North Baltimore. Her piece of advice was to “get as much information from your parents and grandparents while they’re still here.”
Dale Johnson, 94, grew up in LakeTownship. He worked at Libby-Owens-Ford for 41 years, played accordion in a band for 50 years, and played church organ for 65 years. His most significant memory is being married to the same person for 73 years. His advice to future generations is to “be truthful and honest and treat others as you would like to be treated.”
Jeanne Johnson, 94, grew up in West Toledo. She shared advice to “be kind to everyone and respect other people’s opinions even if you don’t agree with them.”
Melvin Karns, 97, grew up in Pemberville and was a farmer. His most significant memory in his life was when he and his wife were selected to be King and Queen of the Pemberville Fair. His piece of advice was “at bedtime always say ‘I love you’ and kiss your spouse goodnight.”
Shirley Kingsley, 90, grew up in Erie, Michigan. Her most significant memory was entertaining at assisted living homes with a group called “On The Road Show.” Her piece of advice is “don’t hold grudges, stay happy, love our fellow men and women, keep laughing, and be kind.”
Andy McKee, 90, grew up in Lima, and was a butcher for A&P and Kroger, and a greeter at Meijer. One of his most significant memories was meeting his future wife at a square dance at Shawnee Grange. His piece of advice is to “have faith in the Lord, love your neighbor as yourself, and always be kind to everyone you meet.”
Patricia McGinnis, 97, grew up in Fostoria,and attended Bowling Green State University. She worked for 20 years as a kindergarten teacher and 10 years as an elementary school principal. She also worked part-time for BGSU and served on Bowling Green City Council for four years. Her significant memories include receiving the BGSU Alumni Community Award in 1986, the Bowling Green Outstanding Citizen Award in 1987, and the Athena Award in 2025. Her advice was to “be true to yourself and always do your best in all you do.”
Doris Miller, 93, grew up in North Baltimore, and helped her husband with an insurance company. A significant memory in her life was roller skating a lot. Her advice was to “listen to your parents.”
Roberta E. Miller, 90, grew up in Illinois and worked in accounting. Her most significant memory was receiving a toy piano at her grandmother’s house one Christmas morning. Music has always been a big part of her life. Her piece of advice is that “love is the answer to everything.”
Tom Moyer, 90, grew up in Oroville, California, and attended Oklahoma State University, Ohio State University, and Methodist Theological School. He was an aerospace engineer and United Methodist pastor. His most significant memory in his life was his uncle’s advice to join the Wesley Foundation at Ohio State. His advice to future generations is to “become a part of a church of your choice and live a full and joyful life.”
Beverly Murray, 94, grew up in Dunbridge, and was a secretary at Otsego, BGSU, and Penta School. Her most significant memory was riding a camel to a barbecue supper in the Australian Outback. Her advice is to “laugh often, love much, and thank the Lord each day.”
Victor Norton Jr., 90, grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, and attended Yale and University of Michigan. His most significant memories included drawing cartoons for Cycle Sport Magazine and enjoying his career as a mathematics professor at BGSU. His piece of advice was “keep up the good work and don’t give up. It’s not that easy growing up.”
Loren J. Phillips, 94, grew up in Wyandot County, and was the owner of an electronics business. His piece of advice to future generations is to “maintain a positive and friendly attitude, keep an open mind, and don’t unjustly prejudge your fellow human beings. Always try to do the right thing.”
Catherine Mae Schlotz, 94, grew up in Grand Rapids, and was a beautician for 19 years, a cook for six years, and food supervisor for eight years. Her significant memory was working with young people for many years at Buckeye Girls State, and volunteering at the American Legion and with senior citizens. Her advice to future generations is “you have to be a friend to have friends.”
Mae Scott, 95, grew up in Tontagony, and was a homemaker. Her piece of advice was to “always go to bed with arguments resolved.”
Bonnie Stearns, 92, grew up in Wren, Ohio, and attended Heidelberg College and Ashland University. She was a first grade teacher at Conneaut for 33 years. Her most significant memory was being a volunteer docent at the Mazza Museum in Findlay and travelling to many authors’ and book illustrators’ homes, including Eric Carle, Marc Brown, and Patricia Polacco. Her grandson shared at school that his grandma had “gone on a date with Eric Carle.” Her piece of advice is “take one day at a time.”
Doris Strow, 95, grew up in Weston, was a homemaker and helped on the farm. Her most significant memory was working on the farm and canning the farm’s produce. Her piece of advice to future generations is that “farming is fine. Get back to your roots.”
Phyllis Townsend, 95, grew up in Chicago and attended Bradley University and University of Illinois. She was a home economics teacher. Her piece of advice was to take the opportunity to travel the world.
Judith Tertuliani, 90, grew up in Cavasso Nuovo, Italy, and attended school in Italy and the United States. From age 16, she worked in a light manufacturing factory five days a week and went to school at night. Her most significant memory was the first day she arrived in the U.S., unable to speak a word of English, not having seen her dad all through the war, and the day she first saw her future husband. Her piece of advice to future generations is “thank the Lord every day, work hard, love and take care of your family, and be helpful to others.”
Stephen Tertuliani, 94, grew up in East Toledo, served four years in the Army, and worked for General Electric and Sun Oil. His most significant memory was when he met his future wife – they have been married for 69 1/2 years. His advice is to “try to do the best you can do and try to thank the Lord every day.”
Donna June VanVorhis, 94, grew up on a Webster Road farm. She was a secretary, bookkeeper, and homemaker. Her piece of advice to future generations is to use her “Everyday Survival kit.” It includes a Band-Aid to remind you to heal hurt feelings, a candy kiss to remind you that everyone needs a hug and compliment every day, a pencil to remind you to count your blessings every day, and a tea bag to remind you that you never know how strong you are until you are in hot water.
Margaret R. Walker-Conner, 92, grew up outside of Weston, and worked as a schoolteacher. A significant memory for her is attending BGSU for a bachelor’s degree in education and moving to California in a converted school bus, living and teaching there for 40-plus years. A piece of advice that she would give future generations is to continue school (college) immediately after attending high school. Study habits will be easier to transfer.
Gerald Lee Warren, 92, grew up in Peoria, Illinois, then moved to San Jose, California. He was an accountant for Gulf Oil, Chevron, and Sohio, and retired from BP in 1993. A significant memory in his life is being in the Air Force from 1952 – 1956, spending two years in Japan as a radio operator for the Secret Service. He has travelled to 49 states – all but Alaska – and was happily married for 68 years. A piece of advice he would give to future generations is to “love your family and friends, and most of all love the Lord.”
Marilyn Witker, 92, grew up in Bradner, Cleveland, and Pemberville. She did window displays for Winkleman’s and was a housewife. Her advice to future generations is to “be kind and listen to what people have to say.”
