PERRYSVILLE – Five decades after a deadly plane crash claimed four Mansfield Plumbing employees and the pilot, family and the community gathered to remember those who lost their lives.
On Aug. 16, 1966, Kenneth Edmondson, 55; Henry Moyers, 42; Theodore Smith, 42; and Arthur Young, 47, had boarded a twin-engine Cessna plane piloted by 47-year-old Paul Root of Shelby.
Edmonson worked as staff liaison, Young was pattern shop supervisor, and Smith was the assistant manager of the foundry.
The four employees of Mansfield Sanitary Product (as Mansfield Plumbing was then known) were headed to Chattanooga, Tennessee, on company business. The plane went down in a heavily wooded area near Granville, Ohio, and the wreckage was discovered the next day. Severe weather was believed to be the cause of the crash.
Tuesday afternoon, more than 100 people gathered in Perrysville United Methodist Church for a memorial service 50 years after the crash.
Pastor Rob Paterson of New Hope Community Church led the service, and reminded those in attendance why they all were there.
“Many of us are here because in our culture, in our own minds, we tend to remember tragedy. These things stick out in a special way,” Paterson said. “Another reason we’re here is these men were part of our community. It’s unique when a tragedy like this grips a small community, but things are elevated when we know and share life with these individuals and their families,”
Moyers had only worked as the new foundry manager at Mansfield Sanitary for a few weeks before the crash and was still commuting from Englewood in the Dayton area. The other three employees were longtime employees of Mansfield Sanitary and longtime residents of the area.
“Some of you may not have known these men, or maybe they were just acquaintances, but you still remember this day and this tragedy because you are part of this community,” Paterson said.
Several family members of the crash victims and Mansfield Plumbing employees shared their memories during the service.
“It was quite a blow that morning. We didn’t know what to say next. It happened. You had to keep on going. They weren’t forgotten, as evidenced today. Fifty years later and they’re still remembered,” said Walt Wachtel of Loudonville, a longtime Mansfield Plumbing employee.
Rod Edmondson, current Model Shop Manager at Mansfield Plumbing, is the grandson of Kenneth Edmondson who died in the crash. Rod, who was just an infant when his grandfather died, helped organize Tuesday’s service.
“I certainly don’t remember grandpa, but I do remember as I worked with dad in the yard and working in the garage, he would always refer to him. He would say things about, ‘Your grandpa would like that’ or ‘Your grandpa didn’t like this,’” Edmondson said.
Edmondson also helped create the display of crash memorabilia that is going to be on display in the Mansfield Plumbing cafeteria along with friend and co-worker Jon Konves.
Alvin Smith, who worked at the foundry for 39 years, is the nephew of Theodore Smith. Alvin recalled that he found out about the crash while he was at work at his summer job. He remembered his uncle always played Santa at the family’s Christmas gatherings.
“I really looked up to him,” Smith said.
Paul Stover, Mansfield Plumbing Vice President of Production, thanked all who came out to remember those who were lost.
“These men were, and always will be, part of our Mansfield Plumbing family,” Stover said. “The fact that some of these relatives are still working today at Mansfield is absolutely remarkable and will help ensure that we will never forget those who have passed.”
Stover said the newly renovated cafeteria and employee break room at Mansfield Plumbing has been dedicated in honor of those who died in the crash. He displayed a plaque that will be hung in the cafeteria.
“This dedication will further assure their presence and their memories will continue to live on at Mansfield for many many years to come. It’s the Mansfield employees like these gentleman that lay the foundation which we continue to build on today and will for the future,” Stover said.
