In Memoriam

Richard S. Sechrist

Richard S. “Dick” Sechrist, age 93, of Mt. Vernon and Sunbury, Ohio, died Thursday, March 11, 2021 after fighting the good fight against old age. Dick was born in Garrettsville, Ohio, oldest of four boys, to the late Jacob Stuart and Thelma Rice Sechrist. He was graduated from Garrettsville High School, joined the U.S. Navy, rose to Seaman 1st Class and Storekeeper 3rd Class, and returned after WWII to complete bachelor degrees in Biology and Dairy Science from Hiram College and OSU, and a masters in Dairy Science Physiology from University of Nebraska. He also did work toward a Ph. D. in Rural Sociology at OSU. He began a family with wife Janet (Marie Williams) and operated Eaglebrook Farm (Garrettsville) — the Sechrist Guernsey herd — taught school, and drove a schoolbus to make ends meet. He entered the business side of dairy farming in the early 1960s and built a career that progressed from Field Supervisor for Central Ohio Breeding Association, to OSU Dairy Extension Specialist, to General Manager of Ohio Ag Services, Inc. (DHI, Inc.). His career brought him to central Ohio, where most of his working life was based.

As the first Executive Secretary of Ohio Ag in the 1970s, he oversaw the development and centralization of services for dairy farmers, including the still-new concept of computerized herd management, a decade before personal computers became common. His innovative approach shaped the organization into a leader in the dairy herd management and records industry. He then became Executive Secretary of National Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Inc., where he provided leadership and vision to 50 state organizations. His focus on DHIA business management training, technology, quality control, dairy industry research, and communication grew the organization at an unprecedented rate.

He was a natural-born leader, especially known for his business development, management, and communication skills. He became a sought-after expert, speaker, and contributor to national agricultural publications, including Dairy Magazine.

His wife Janet died of lung cancer in 1981. Dick was married to Dorothy (Swisher Stumpf) in 1982. In 1987 they bought Locust Springs Farms outside Mt. Vernon, OH, and in their “retirement” began raising sheep. The flock grew to more than 200 ewes, and motorists on Rte. 229 west of Mt. Vernon enjoyed the sight of lambs playing king of the mountain in the barnyard near the road.

For transforming from row-crop farming to grass pasture and alfalfa hay, his farm was named an Ohio’s Country Journal Environmental Steward Winner in 2006. Dick was honored with the National DHIA Outstanding Service Award in 2015.

After Dorothy’s passing in 2006, he began to be troubled by heart and lung issues but kept farming, eventually bringing on partners Rick Graumlich and Steve Hite. Fifteen years later, Dick was still actively maintaining his 120-acre farm, mowing up to 5 acres every week in the final summer of his life. He proudly represented WWII vets in Sunbury parades.

Dick was a big believer in professional and community service. His contributions included: Director, United States Animal Health Association; National Industry-State Agricultural Research Council; Advisor, International Stockmen’s School; Steering Committee and Secretary, Forum for Animal Agriculture; American Dairy Science Association; Ohio State University Dairy Science Advisory Committee; Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture; President and Trustee, Sunbury Community Library; President, Sunbury Lions Club; Administrative Board Chairman, Sunbury United Methodist Church; President, Delaware County Dollars for Scholars; alumni associations, and various other professional and community organizations.

In addition to his parents and wives, Janet and Dorothy, Dick was also preceded in death by his brother, Robert (Sigred) Sechrist. He is survived by children, David (Jan) Sechrist of Antelope, CA, Nancy (Roger) Williams of Colville, WA, Laura (Scott) Sommers of Granville and Daniel (Rebecca) Sechrist of Whitehouse, OH; brothers, Tom (Paula) Sechrist of Bloomington, IN and Paul (Pat) Sechrist of Chesterton, IL; stepchildren, Rita (Jeff) Duncan of Los Angeles, Jennifer Clark of Los Angeles, and Linda (Jeff) Lentz of Indonesia; son-in-law, Jeff Clark of Lakewood; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and long-time friends.

Dick was highly regarded as a man of science, reason, and discipline. He always believed his accomplishments, contributions, principles, and the family and friends he touched would speak to the kind of life he lived. He was never boastful, but one of his proudest community achievements was leading the Sunbury UMC committee that erected the church at the corner of Rts. 3 and 37. He will be missed, mightily, for his independent streak, strong opinions, and dry sense of humor, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations.

He loved Locust Springs Farms and his gentlemen-farmer existence. The farm was his home for more than 30 years and he will now be returned to the earth that sustained him and his loved ones. Due to COVID concerns, Dick will be interred with a private graveside service in Sunbury Memorial Park, with no visiting. A larger memorial service will be planned for late summer or early fall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Hiram College Development Office, P.O. Box 67, Hiram, OH 44234 (330-2985790, hiram.edu), Sunbury United Methodist Church, 100 W. Cherry Street, Sunbury, OH 43074 (740-965-3813, sunburyumc. org), or the Community Library of Sunbury, 44 Burrer Drive, Sunbury, OH 43074 (740-965-3901, yourcl.org) in Dick’s memory.

In Memoriam

Beulah Maxine Harpster George Miller

Heather Elaine Reutter

Beulah Maxine Harpster, 94, of rural Jeromesville passed away Saturday February 6, 2021 at Brookwood Place in Ashland. She was born November 22, 1926 in Adario the daughter of Clarence and Melissa Norris Rowland. She was a homemaker and a member of the Rowsburg Lutheran Church. She is survived by 3 sons, David (Debra) Harpster of Jeromesville, Daniel (Paula) Harpster of Ashland and Dean (Luann Bradford) Harpster of Jeromesville, 7 grandchildren Rick, Andrew, Michael, Todd, Scott, Nicole and Chelsea, 14 great grandchildren, Riley, Reece, Kaylee, Macee, Zachary, Mason, Madyson, Max, Tanner, Makenna, Gavin, Oliver, Johnathon and Autumn, a brother-in-law, Russ (Janice) Harpster of Dublin and a sister-in-law, Jean Endsley of Ashland. She was preceded by her parents, her husband, Gerald (Mose) Harpster in 1973, 2 brothers, James Rowland and an infant brother, 4 sisters, Lorna Teeters, Opal Coble, Velma Byers, and Luella Meininger, her in-laws, John and Helen Harpster, three brothersin-law, Don (Marilyn) Harpster, Carlton (Billie) Harpster, and Bob (Jean) Harpster and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Gallaway.

Heather Elaine Reutter passed away peacefully Monday, February 15, 2021, in her home surrounded by her family. She was 60.

She was born on March 4, 1960, to parents Charles & Sally (Jenkins) Ricketts in Wadsworth, Ohio. Heather graduated from West Holmes High School with the class of 1978, and a few years later she married Keith E. Reutter on September 5, 1981, and they were married for 39 years.

Heather and Keith owned and operated their dairy farm outside of Lakeville for several years until retiring in 2018. Also in her spare time, Heather was a consultant for Pampered Chef.

She was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Mczena, where she enjoyed taking part in bible study and was a Holmes County 4-H advisor for many years. Not only was Heather passionate about spending time with her grandchildren, but she also was very passionate about quilting and spent many hours sewing. She also had a love for animals and enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels.

She is survived by her husband Keith Reutter; children Jodi (Tom) McDonnell and Derek (Morgan) Reutter; grandchildren Emma, Taylor, Henry, Clara, and Harrison; her father Charles Ricketts; siblings Christine (Larry) Lozier, Bill Ricketts, and Steve Ricketts; several nieces and nephews; and her father-in-law Fred Reutter.

In addition to her mother, Sally, she was preceded in death by mother-in-law Rosemary Reutter.

Heather and her family would like to extend a special thank you to all the family and friends who have helped out in the last 2 years.

A funeral service took place on February 19, 2021, with burial following in Pioneer Cemetery.

Contributions in Heather’s memory to the Holmes County 4-H may be made at the funeral home or mailed to 111 East Jackson Street, Millersburg, OH 44654.

George Miller passed away on February 13, 2021 at the age of 94. George made significant contributions to the dairy industry and Select Sires. He was a tremendous leader, visionary and great friend to many. Please enjoy this collection of memories as we look back in our archive of George’s comments and accomplishments.

George grew up helping on his uncle’s dairy farm, Round Oak Farm in Virginia. With an appreciation for Holstein cattle and pedigrees, he went on to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and studied dairy husbandry. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he continued his education and earned a master’s degree in dairy science in 1956. Following graduation, he was hired by Virginia Artificial Breeders Association (VABA) and was eventually promoted to general manager.

His time as the general manager of VABA encompassed many great accomplishments, but perhaps the most well-known was the acquisition of 7HO58 Round Oak Rag Apple ELEVATION (EX96-GM).

On October 1, 1973 George joined the staff at Select Sires Inc. headquarters in Plain City, Ohio. In 2015, former Select Sires Inc. General Manager Dick Chichester was interviewed for the 50-year history book. He was asked about key people he worked with at Select Sires and George was the first name he mentioned. Here’s an excerpt from the book:

“When I became temporary manager, I needed a marketing manager. My first call was to George Miller. The reason I called George was because he was honest and he would tell you what he really thought. Sometimes people thought we were going to come to blows because George’s voice would get raised but he really was just concerned about doing things right.”

In 1990, George shared some reflections on Select Sires’ 25 years of operation in this excerpt:

“Select Sires is proof to the world that miracles do happen, and dreams do come true. You know the sense of pride that we employees of Select Sires have in being, and striving to give our best. Teamwork, the joy of working together, contributing positively to the success of those who use our service, keeps us striving to deserve the confidence that people (farmers, directors and co-workers) place in us.”

Bill Clark and George MillerThose words represent George’s spirit as a leader at Select Sires. His words will continue to be an inspiration to those that work at Select Sires today and in the future.

George retired from Select Sires Inc. in 1991, but he remained an important member of the Select Sires family and was a friendly face at many company and industry events.

“George Miller was a pillar of the Select Sires family. He was passionate about genetics, the Holstein cow, and his Select Sires family. His desire to support breeders with the very best genetics was his life’s mission. Throughout the years, George’s love and passion for the people of this cooperative provided the spirit and culture to our organization. To George, Select Sires was about family, the people. He was a natural leader and built a remarkable foundation for Select Sires,” said David Thorbahn, president and CEO of Select Sires Inc.