ONTARIO — Bill and Betty Harner were honored Thursday as the Outstanding Senior Citizens of Ashland County by the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging.
The award was in recognition for their commitment and service towards Ashland County.
“This is the 20th year the Area Agency has honored a volunteer from Ashland County,” said Teresa Cook, VP of Administrative Services. “As we all know COVID may have changed how we can get together but what hasn’t changed is the outstanding way individuals, groups and organizations are working together to support and take care of one another.
“Today, instead of gathering in the Area Agencies training room, we are together in Kendig Park.”
The Harners have been dedicating their time and effort towards the betterment of the Hayesville and Ashland communities. Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, who has known Bill and Betty for the majority of his life, provided a testament to their communal engagement.
“First of all, it will always be Mr. and Mrs. Harner to me because when I was a kindergartner, Mr. Harner was my gym teacher at Jeromesville Elementary School,” Miller said. “Later after he retired, when I was in high school and was on the golf team for a few years, he was the golf coach.
“I have known them ever since I was a child and for the entire time I’ve known them they have always been active in our community. In fact, I can’t remember a time when they weren’t wearing a red vest as they volunteered on some community project with the Lion’s Club.”
Bill has been a member of the Lions Club for over 60 years. He received a bachelor’s degree from Ashland College, which has since become Ashland University.
The couple has been married nearly 62 years. Bill’s mother actually introduced the Bill and Betty.
“How many kids do you think they’ve affected?” asked Ashland County Commissioner Jim Justice. “I can’t count them.
“I bet there would be thousands that would go up and say to Bill, ‘Wow, I had you as a teacher.’ We look forward to many more great things from this couple.”
Bill and Betty Harner were nominated for the devotion they give to their community and their positive image of aging. They are active members at the Hayesville United Methodist Church where they are both members of the Administrative Council and serve on several other committees.
They are also members of the Senior Citizens of Ashland County and volunteer for any roles they see fit to themselves, including serving to registered travelers for the Center’s one day bus trips. As soon as Lions International allowed women to join, Betty then became a member as well.
Both have been awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, which is known to be the highest form of recognition within the Lions Club. This Fellowship Award embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism.
Each year the Area Agency on Aging honors senior citizens who are making a difference in their communities and present a positive image of aging. There is one award recipient for each county in the Agency’s service area (Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca, and Wyandot.) Awardees are selected by the Agency based on the impact of their contributions and accomplishments within the community made after reaching age 60.
Every year, the Area Agency on Aging honors senior individuals who have made a difference in their communities and showcase a positive image of aging. An award is given to recipients derived from their respective county, including Ashland, Crawford, Knox, Richland, Huron, Morrow, Seneca and Wyandot.
