Walnut Hills staff members recognized for service

Walnut Hills Retirement Community recently honored 21 longtime staff members with service awards at a luncheon at the Inn at Honey Run near Millersburg.

Gertrude Mullet of Sugarcreek, Merle Miller of Sugarcreek, Mandy Hershberger of Dundee, Ronalee Hochstetler of Millersburg, and Christina J. Miller of Walnut Creek led the group recognized this year for their service. Mullet has worked at Walnut Hills for 40 years, while Merle Miller has served for 30 years. Hershberger, Hochstetler, and Christina J. Miller have all served for 25 years.

Others who received service awards included Linda Yoder of Sugarcreek for 15 years of service and Verda Grewell of Navarre, Brenda Middaugh of Sugarcreek, Carol F. Miller of Sugarcreek, and Tina Rothacher of Navarre, all for 10 years.

A total of 11 individuals received awards for five years of service to Walnut Hills. They included Bethany Keim of Walnut Creek, Velma Keim of Dundee, Sherry McCartney of Shreve, Amber Miller of Wilmot, Susan D. Miller of Millersburg, Tiffany Miller of Fresno, Bonnie Morton of Millersburg, Linda Phillips of Dundee, Loretta Shearer of Glenmont, Sara E. Troyer of Sugarcreek and Karen Yoder of Millersburg.

Jeremy Kauffman, executive director, noted that the 21 staff members recognized at the luncheon have a combined 255 years of experience.

Kauffman and Matt Wengerd, personnel coordinator, Teresa Morris, retirement home head nurse, and Betty Miller, admissions coordinator, introduced the service award recipients and presented each team member with an award of appreciation for their years of serving the residents and families of Walnut Hills.

“Good service is never an accident,” said Kauffman. “The individuals we are recognizing with service awards are a good representation of our staff here at Walnut Hills. They are committed to excellence and to joyfully doing whatever it takes.”

Walnut Hills is a not-for-profit continuing care living community which employs 180 team members and is home to 270 individuals, ages 55 and over. Independent living, catered living, and assisted living housing options, as well as memory support, rehabilitation and skilled nursing care are available on the 110-acre campus, which is located on Olde Pump Street in Walnut Creek. Walnut Hills is an affiliate of Greencroft Communities Inc. of Goshen, Ind.