The Ohio County Soil and Water Conservation District recently decided to honor three of their members who had passed away.
During one of their board meetings, Katie Schulz decided that we should plant trees at the Ohio County Fairgrounds in memory of their deceased members, Wade Turner, Paul Banta and Gordon Ramsey.
Trees have also planted in memory of Lloyd Stephenson and Gene Weaver, also members of the Ohio County Soil & Water Board in the past.
Beth Terrill wrote a grant for the cost of materials, including the trees, planting of the trees, and plaques and cages to go around the trees, through the Ohio County Community Foundation.
Historic Hoosier Hills was kind enough to let the Soil and Water board use their 501-3C letter in order for the grant to be written.
On April 18, the board members and the family members of the deceased members attended a dedication ceremony where the plaques were presented to Jan Turner, wife of Wade Turner, Ed and Lori Turner, son and daughter of Wade, and friend Russell. Elizabeth Banta, Wife of Paul Banta, and Debbie Ray, daughter of Gordon Ramsey, and Tina Ray, granddaughter of Gordon. Justin Ray, grandson of Gordon was unable to attend.
The trees are an excellent reminder of the many hours, and hard work, Wade, Paul and Gordon gave not only to the Ohio County Soil & Water District, but also to the community through their willingness to help, and generosity to everyone involved. I’ve never heard a bad word spoken about any of these men.
“It makes me proud to live in a county where everyone takes care of one another, and these men are the prime example of what it takes to be a leader,” added Terrill, Ohio County Soil & Water Secretary, Treasurer.