Alice Heltman Brownell Gongwer, the youngest of Henry and Caroline Brownell’s six children, was born in 1911 in Washington Court House, OH. In 1938 when she married attorney George Gongwer—a life-long resident of Ashland County—they made their home in Ashland. With the move to Ashland she was completing a circle, settling in her mother’s home town. Her grandfather, William G. Heltman, was mayor of Ashland at the turn of the 20^th century, and numerous Heltman relatives nourished her roots in the area. Until her death in August of 2010, Mrs. Gongwer spent 72 active and graceful years as a resident of the community. She and Mr. Gongwer raised their three daughters, Ann, Carolyn, and Helen, in Ashland. They were members of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she served on the Altar Guild. Mrs. Gongwer was a frequent volunteer at the Ashland County Historical Society.

Mrs. Gongwer was a graduate of Washington Court House High School and received her two-year Normal Degree from Ohio Northern University in the early 1930s. After graduation she taught for three years at the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home in Xenia, OH, three years in Washington Court House, OH, and then taught primary grades for one more year in Mansfield before marrying. Alice and George met on a blind date which originated on the steps of the Mansfield Reformatory—a source of amusement throughout their lifetimes.

Mrs. Gongwer, through her estate, made a gift to the Foundation so she could give something back to the community which was such an important part of her family’s lives.

Prepared 2012

Bob and Karla were married in June 1998 and established residence in the Ashland area. Karla worked as an LPN. Bob was a machinist for 17 years before joining Abbott Labs in 1987.

Bob and Karla found the Ashland County Community Foundation to be the best way to help establish a scholarship fund in memory of their niece, Reganne Heffelfinger.

Reg was a special part of Bob and Karla’s life and losing her in an auto accident at the age of 18 was devastating to them as well as Reg‘s entire family.

Prepared 2005

John Gardner was a lifelong resident of Loudonville. A 1951 Loudonville High School graduate, he was a member of the 1949 undefeated football team that was inducted into the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. After high school, he attended John Carroll University. He and his wife Jean were local business owners for 33 years and the parents of seven LHS graduates—Gregory, Nancy, Robert, Jennifer, Catherine, Scott, and Linda. They were members of the athletic, academic and music boosters. Though both battled illnesses that eventually took their lives, Jean in 1979 and John in 2002, they were always full of strength and support and an inspiration to others.

John and Jean were true believers that with determination, any goal could be accomplished. This belief, coupled with their involvement with the Loudonville schools, led John to make estate plans to help LHS students achieve their dreams. Upon his death, the John and Jean Gardner Scholarship was established with the Ashland County Community Foundation.

This scholarship will forever assure John and Jean Gardner’s continuing support of Loudonville High School students.

Prepared 2005

Lucille Garber Ford was born and lived most of her life in Ashland, Ohio. She holds an Associate Degree of Arts from Stephen’s College, a B.S. in Commerce and MBA from Northwestern, a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University, and a Masters in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. She holds a CFP and lectures nationally. At Northwestern she met her husband Larry Ford. She served on the Board and as personnel director of the A.L. Garber Company. They have two children, Karen and JoAnn and two grandchildren.

Dr. Ford taught at Allegheny College and the University of Alabama before she and Larry returned to Ashland. Her 30-year career with Ashland University included professor and Chair of the Economics Department, Dean of Special Programs, Dean of the School of Business, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Provost. She chaired the 55 million dollar AU Campaign concluding in 2004. In 1995, she became the founding president (pro bona) of the Ashland County Community Foundation where she serves today.

Dr. Ford was a nominee for lieutenant governor–State of Ohio; a member of the Board of Directors: First National Bank, Ashland, National City Bank, Cleveland, Ohio Edison Corp., A. Schulman Co., Morgan Freeport Corp., Shelby Insurance Company, and Specialty Advertising, Inc. Also, she has served on the Board of Trustees at Stephens College, Ohio Council of Economic Education; Chair Synod Presbyterian Church USA, National Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterian Elder and Stephen Ministries; Pres. Assoc. of Private Enterprise; and commissioner North Central Accrediting Association. She currently serves on the Boards of Ashland University, PECO II Corp., and North Central State College.

Her recognitions include two Honorary Doctor of Humane letters, Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, Stephens College and Ashland High School Distinguished Alumnus, Mortar Board, A∆K and O∆E.

Prepared 2005

Larry Ford (Laurence W. Ford) was born on October 11, 1920 and came to Ashland, Ohio in 1947. He was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, graduating from Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri.

He worked for Joy Manufacturing Company in Michigan City, Indiana after leaving college. In 1944, he left Michigan City to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where he received an MBA and met Lucille Garber. They were married in 1946.

He spent his life in corporate business as president of the A.L. Garber Company and later as president of SM Data Company. He served Ashland in many ways to include president of the YMCA (when the current building was built), as chair of the industrial division of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Ashland Country Club treasurer, elder of the First Presbyterian Church, and finance chair of the Ashland Cemetery Association. He served Tarkio College as a Board of Trustee and chairman of the Board for many years. Tarkio College recognized him by awarding an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 1994.

“All my life someone gave to me, so it was appropriate that I give back to benefit future generations. ACCF is my charity of choice because it addresses the needs of the entire community.”

Prepared 2005

Richard D. Esbenshade graduated from Ashland High School in 1946 and attended Stanford University with the aid of a scholarship provided by the Pepsi Cola Company. After graduation he spent two years in the United States Army during the Korean War. He then attended Harvard Law School on the GI Bill, receiving an LLB magna cum laude in 1956. Nancy Esbenshade attended high school in Lima, Ohio and graduated from Northwestern University. She obtained a masters degree in psychiatric social work at Simmons School of Social Work in Boston. They were married in 1958 and moved to Los Angeles, where he practiced law for more than 50 years, primarily as a founding partner of Munger, Tolles & Olson. They have two sons, three daughters and eleven grandchildren.

The Esbenshades have chosen to make a gift in the form of a charitable annuity for both practical and charitable reasons; they will receive income for their lives, and thereafter the public will benefit.

They chose to give through the Ashland County Community Foundation because they believe the Foundation is best able to use the funds for the benefit of Ashland County and its people.

Prepared 2011

Robert Elliston was born February 26, 1918 in rural Creston, Ohio and graduated from Creston High School in 1936. He worked as a mechanic in a Ford garage until being drafted into the Army in early 1941. After serving in the South Pacific, Fiji Islands, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and Bougainville during WWII, he was discharged in September 1945. Mr. Elliston married Charlene Outward in August 1944 and spent 40 years farming and hauling limestone and gravel.

Charlene was born in Ashland in 1915, graduating from Eastland High School in Texas and Ashland College. A dedicated teacher, she taught fifth and sixth grades for 36 years in Ashland County schools. After retiring, she continued as a substitute teacher in Ashland County schools for another 11 years.

The Ellistons traveled to such places as Hawaii, Spain, England, South Africa, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand during their retirement years. Both members of First Christian Church, Mr. Elliston is also a member of D.A.V, while Mrs. Elliston was a member of Rachel Circle, Halcyon Club, National Education Association, State Teachers Association and Ashland County Teachers Association.

Following the death of his wife at the age of 92 in February 2007, Mr. Elliston chose to create a scholarship in his wife’s memory. He desires to perpetually honor his wife’s commitment to education by helping leaders of tomorrow obtain a college education.

Prepared 2007

Phyllis Earick was born and raised in Ashland County and graduated from Ashland High School in 1952. Phyllis and her husband had three children and together, operated a registered Holstein dairy farm for 34 years.

Phyllis states, “My religious faith has been and continues to be my most important guide in this ‘journey of life.’ I choose to share a small legacy with the two churches that were an integral part in the development of this faith, helping them to continue ‘planting the seeds of faith’ into perpetuity.”

Phyllis decided to leave her money with the Ashland County Community Foundation because of ACCF’s integrity and purpose in the ability to fulfill her charitable desire.

Prepared 2007

Nancy R. Donley was born in Ashland on August 7, 1939. She graduated from Ashland High School in 1957. She received her Bachelor of Education Degree from Wittenburg University in Springfield and a Master of Education Degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Nancy taught English literature and grammar for more than 30 years at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia.

An advocate for civil rights, Nancy became one of the first teachers to participate in the historic desegregation of the Washington D.C. public schools that began in 1971. She was an active member of the Smithsonian Institute and pursued her private study of Black Death in Northern Italy with numerous summer fellowships from the Council on Basic Education.

Nancy was passionate about travel, culture, literature and the proper use of hyphens.

To honor her family ties to the Ashland community, Nancy directed that a portion of her estate be given to the Ashland County Community Foundation.

Prepared 2013

Miriam Stentz was born in Ashland County and graduated from Jeromesville High School. On November 23, 1937, she married Howard Doll, also a Jeromesville High School graduate. The Dolls were engaged in farming in Ashland County. While farming, Howard also served for many years as a rural mail carrier. In 1980, Howard retired from his mail carrier position and also sold the farm. The Dolls remained in Ashland on State Route 60 South.

Mr. and Mrs. Doll loved to travel and spent several winters in the lower Rio Grand Valley in Texas. Miriam was a fifty-year member of the Ashland County Homemakers and both were members of the Ashland First United Methodist Church. After 62 years of marriage, Howard passed away in June of 2000.

Miriam’s care and concern for area organizations led her to create a charitable gift annuity. She desired to find an effective means to meet the various needs of numerous organizations as they arise in future years—her unrestricted gift enables her to do this…for perpetuity. Mrs. Doll feels the Ashland County Community Foundation is unique in its ability to meet the changing needs of our Community by facilitating giving to numerous organizations through a single gift.

Prepared 2005