ONTARIO – Applause and celebration filled the Hawkins Conference Center on Friday, as Richland County native Merris Welge was named a recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Senior Award.
Hosted by the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, the annual ceremony highlights individuals from across the region who dedicate their time and services, leaving a lasting impact on their communities.
A lifetime of service to Richland County
Welge received recognition for decades of volunteering and community involvement.
“It’s interesting to be honored for someone who is just enjoying life,” Welge said.
For the past three decades, Welge has been a devoted volunteer to the North Central Ohio SCORE chapter, an organization that provides free mentoring and resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Welge donates his time by providing guidance and helping them turn their ideas into successful businesses. His contributions extend well beyond the North Central Ohio SCORE Chapter.
He served on the Board of Richland Newhope Industries and the Third Street Clinic. He contributes to the Richland County Habitat for Humanity and serves on several committees at the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.
Welge has also been a proud member of Sertoma for 35 years. This includes serving as treasurer. Through Sertoma, Welge has coordinated educational field trips for local hearing-impaired children, including visits to COSI and the Columbus Zoo.
Recognition from others
Jason Painley, corporate board president, said he was eager to share a story he had with Welge.
“I remember the very first time I met Merris, although I’m certain he does not remember this,” Painley said. “I was attending a community event, and he was greeting people at the door. We had introduced ourselves for the first time, and the impression he gave was of such happiness and sincerity.”
Lisa Duckworth, Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development program and events manager, highlighted Welge and how he continues to keep them all smiling and laughing through his kindness and wisdom.
Welge also received acknowledgments from Ohio Rep. Marilyn John of Shelby, Richland County Commissioner Cliff Mears, Mayor of Ontario Kris Knapp, City of Ontario safety service director Adam Gongwer and Kathy Fox of the Richland County Area Chamber.
Mears said many people arrive at the older stages of life and decide to pull-out a rocking chair and watch as the seasons pass us by. But people like Welge use the information learned over his years to help others and move Richland County forward.
Fox said when celebrating Welge’s 90th birthday last month, he gave the staff one of his secrets, which is having a diet of chocolate, earning a loud laugh from the audience.
Welge added if anyone has ever found themselves at events hosted by the Chamber they may find him behind the bar, working as a bartender.
“Thank you to my wife for being able to put up with everything I have done over the years,” Welge said. “I would like to thank the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development for nominating me and I want to thank God for giving me the health to be able to do what I have over the years.”
Honorees across the region
Other winners included Wes and Julia Lambert of Ashland County, James Gerstenslager of Crawford County, Mary Ann Hipp of Huron County, David and Kathy A. Daniels of Knox County, Stephen Renick of Marion County, Michael Porter of Morrow County (posthumously), Tom Joseph of Seneca County and Mike Wheeler of Wyandot County.
The Richland Academy of the Arts was the recipient of the Community Service Award.
(More pictures from the 2025 Outstanding Senior Citizen and Community Service Awards. Picture credit: Hannah Martin)
