Longtime Midvale residents honored at holiday event

Four longtime Midvale residents were honored recently at the Old Fashioned Christmas event in Midvale. Recognized were Helen Wilson, Bill Zeigler, Donna Kohler and Duff Stafford.

A lifelong resident, Kohler has lived in the village for 78 years, having been born and raised in the village of Midvale.

“Midvale is a good, little town,” Kohler said, adding she likes the small-town atmosphere. “The people are friendly, and you kind of know everybody.”

Kohler said she has been a member of the village council forever and once served as mayor for a short time. She said she enjoys helping at the Midvale Old Fashioned Christmas and attending other festivals and events in the village.

“I like to crochet. I like decorating for the holidays and still do that at my age. I put lights out,” Kohler said.

At 89 Zeigler has lived in Midvale for 68 years. His late wife Wanda had some influence in that decision.

“I met my wife at work. We found a home here, bought the home and moved in,” Zeigler said. “My wife was a graduate from Midvale School in 1949.”

Zeigler is grateful for his family. The couple has four children: Floyd, Brenda, Stella and Shelly. They have 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Currently, Zeigler is concerned for his great grandson Evan Davis, an Indian Valley Schools student who is fighting cancer.

Zeigler has worked to help the village throughout the years.

“I was on the council four different times and worked with all types of good people. It’s been basically a pretty good town,” Zeigler said.

Zeigler’s mother was born in 1890 in Germany and later traveled with her family to the United States. When Zeigler’s father passed away when he was 7 or 8 years old, it was his mother who held the family together. The family lived in Dover Township at the time.

“Back then it was different because we lived in a place that had no utilities, no running water, no electricity, and it was a better life than it is today,” Zeigler said.

Duff Stafford was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.

The featured speaker at the event was Georgianne Turner of New Philadelphia, who grew up in Midvale. Her mother Helen Wilson was one of the residents honored. Turner offered insight into growing up in the village of Midvale.

Helen Wilson has lived in the village for 68 years, and everything she and her late husband George Wilson were involved in had a positive influence on the village and Turner.

“My dad’s dedication to this town was seen throughout his entire life,” Turner said. “For 19 years my dad coached the pony league team from Midvale along with the help of other residents. One of whom always involved in helping coach was Gene ‘Chick’ Ford. Many a great athlete came out of this little village back then.”

Turner remembers selling pop and keeping the scoreboard for the baseball games.

“My memories of growing up in Midvale are completely encompassed by everything my parents did, how they cherished the small community,” Turner said. “My dad was also the marshal of Midvale for many years, and at that time, there was no police vehicle. He used his own car.”

George Wilson, a Korean War veteran, also was involved in the former VFW in Midvale.

“My dad became commander for many years and my mom president of the auxiliary. My most fond memories of the VFW are during my junior high and high school years,” Turner said. “As kids we were constantly involved with the club because our parents were constantly there. There were always activities going on, and most of those benefited the neighboring communities. From the annual packing of boxes to send to the servicemen far from home during the Vietnam War to the baking of cookies and making fudge and caramels to include in those boxes, these kids learned a sense of community and great respect for those fighting for us.”

The VFW also sponsored most of the baseball and softball teams in the village and a baton troupe that Turner was a member of as a child and that she later led.

“The annual Christmas food drive was where they asked many of the members of the VFW to be involved in, and my dad and mom made sure that my brother Ron and I participated,” Turner said, “even going with them to deliver food baskets and gifts during the holiday season to those less fortunate.”

Lack of material things brought the community together.

“Though many did not have much,” Turner said, “one thing was for certain: There was community shown time and time again. If a community member was going through hard times, you did what you could and offered help. Though we may not have realized that at the time, we were all rich in the fact that we all had each other and lived in a community that looked out for all.”

Turner encouraged everyone to continue to be involved in the Midvale community.

“I know times have changed and people have changed, and sometimes negativity overshadows what is good about a community, but only through the involvement of all will things progress, get better for the future and keep your community one to be proud of,” Turner said.

The Old Fashioned Christmas event was sponsored by the Midvale Methodist Church and the Village of Midvale.