Long Term Funds of the Vandalia-Butler Foundation

Jackie Ahlers Education Scholarship Fund

(2002) honors Jackie Ahlers, a Vandalia-Butler graduate and Bowling Green State University student, who died tragically as a result of an automobile accident in the spring of 2002.  Scholarship assistance will be offered to high school seniors planning to pursue a degree, preferably in teacher education, at one of the state universities of Ohio.

Arts Revitalizing Team (a.k.a. ART) Fund

(2001) Established by Margo Thomas Steinbaugh and supported by the Vandalia-Butler community, this fund provides resources to expand the educational experiences of Vandalia-Butler students who are involved in the performing arts, focusing especially on activities that will enhance use of the newly renovated Butler High School performing arts theater.

Robert A. Bahr Memorial Scholarship Fund

(1998) Family and friends initiated this fund in memory of Robert Bahr to award scholarships to Butler High School students who are members of the varsity basketball team.

John A. Beckley Memorial Scholarship Fund

(1995) This fund remembers the late principal of Butler High School by awarding a scholarship to an outstanding graduating senior of this school each year.  The fund is the result of memorial contributions from family, friends and members of the community.

Sylvia and Lawrence Brazie Family Fund

(1996) This fund will enhance growth of non-profit organizations as designated by the donors Sylvia and her husband, Larry, founder and chairman emeritus of Westminster Financial Companies and a board member emeritus of the Vandalia-Butler Foundation.

C.F. Companies Scholarship Fund

(1993) Named for the airfreight company that maintained a major hub at the Dayton International Airport, this fund helps Butler High School graduates further their education.

Kathy Huston Clemens Memorial Scholarship

(2000) Family and friends of Kathy Huston Clemens, who died tragically in May 2000, established this fund to award college scholarships to Butler High School graduates pursuing a degree in education.  Kathy was a Butler High School graduate and a beloved third grade teacher.  She was 1998 Teacher of the Year in her district in Houston, TX.

Chris B. Conter Baseball Scholarship

The Chris B. Conter Baseball Scholarship (2005) honors the life of this devoted father and lifelong baseball player whose career spanned from Little League to AA Baseball and included several world championship titles. The fund awards scholarships to varsity baseball team members of Vandalia-Butler High School, where he also played.

The Orville M. Cotterman Grant Fund

(2002) Established in honor of Orville M. Cotterman's 90th birthday, this fund supports enrichment activities and projects at local elementary schools.  Mr. Cotterman was born and raised in Vandalia and served 16 years on the Vandalia School Board.

Connie DeHart Memorial Scholarship Fund

(1993) By initiating this fund, the parents of educator Connie DeHart wish to encourage young women at Butler High School to enter the teaching profession.

Colin and Lori Gatland Family Fund

(2000) Love of animals motivated the Gatlands to establish this fund to promote and generally further the charitable and educational activities and institutions involving animals and their relationship to man.  Lori Gatland is a Vandalia-Butler Foundation trustee emeritus.

Mary Geiger Scholarship Fund

(1997) Butler Township resident and former Northridge teacher, Mary Geiger, seeks to sow the seeds of knowledge by awarding scholarships to Northridge High School graduating seniors to help defray educational expenses at accredited colleges and universities.

Superintendent B.P. Gibson Memorial Scholarship Fund

(1999) Established by the friends and family of B.P. Gibson, former superintendent of Vandalia-Butler Schools, this fund will award scholarships to graduating seniors of the Butler High School women's varsity soccer team.

Stuart S. Gitman Memorial Scholarship Fund

(1998) Dr. Edith Gitman created this fund in memory of her son, Stuart.  The fund provides scholarship awards for graduating Butler High School seniors who do not necessarily excel academically at the time of the award, but who have an interest in furthering their education.

Mark Goens Art Scholarship Fund

(1985) Established as a memorial by Mark's parents and friends, this fund assists Butler High School graduates in their study of art.  Mark Goens, a skilled artist and outdoorsman, died while he was a freshman at Morton Junior High School.

Mary Louise Gross-Poorman Scholarship Fund

(2001) Established by this retired teacher who taught second grade for 43 years, this scholarship is for Northridge High School graduates majoring in elementary education at Miami University.  Mrs. Poorman passed away just weeks after establishing this fund.

The Historical Society of Vandalia-Butler Endowment Fund

(2001) The Historical Society, founded in 1977, established this endowment to help preserve, maintain and make capital improvements to this organization's property.

Robert Hock Scholarship Fund

(1994) Scholarships from this fund are awarded in memory of Robert Hock, a community-minded businessman who gave many students their first job at Hock's Pharmacy.  Friends and community members remember this enthusiastic fan of youth and The Ohio State University through this award, which is presented to students entering their first year of study at OSU in the field of health sciences.

David A. and Kathryn E. Horner Family Memorial Fund

(1997) Established in memory of David, Kathryn, Jonathan, Carmen and Preston Horner, who perished in a train accident in central Ohio in 1997, this fund focuses on different causes in alternate years.  In odd numbered years, the fund supports Boy Scout Troop #307, as well as a student enrolled in the law enforcement program at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center.  In even numbered years, a scholarship is awarded to a Butler High School senior with an interest in music.

Leo and Marie Lauber Family Scholarship

(2000) This fund will serve to remember the Lauber family's believe in education by awarding college scholarships to Butler High School graduates or Vandalia or Butler Township residents graduating from the Miami Valley Career Technology Center.  Leo Lauber worked at GM's Frigidaire for 30 years; Marie was a homemaker.  The Laubers called Butler Township home from World War II until Leo's death.

Douglas C. Moeller Memorial Fund

(2003) This fund was established by family and friends of Doug Moeller, Butler graduate and Bowling Green State University student.  The Moeller family plans to finalize this fund's purpose during the coming year.

M. Byron Morton Memorial Scholarship Fund

(2001) Family and friends have established this fund to memorialize M. Byron Morton, a former Vandalia-Butler Schools superintendent whose career in education spanned a total of 61 years.  During Mr. Morton's tenure with V-B Schools, the Vandalia-Butler Memorial Stadium was established in honor of area veterans killed while serving their country.

John J. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund

Vandalia-Butler Foundation – John J. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund (2005) assists Vandalia-Butler High School students in furthering their studies at an accredited institution of higher learning. Established by the Murphy family, it honors John J. Murphy, whose love for education kept him attending classes at the University of Dayton until age 85.

Marvin O'Cull Scholarship Fund

(1996) Butler High School students entering the field of engineering may apply for this scholarship, established in memory of a longtime Vandalia-Butler Optimist Club member who passed away in 1988.

The Neal Family Hope Fund

The Neal Family Hope Fund (2004) will further the charitable interests of the Neal family, who will advise grants to not-for-profit organizations of their choice. Martin and Debra Neal’s daughter, Elizabeth, and her horse, Hope, were the inspiration for the fund and the fund’s name.
 

Rotary Club of Vandalia Charitable Fund

(1990) This fund distributes income at the suggestion of the Vandalia Rotary Club to support its charitable activities, with special emphasis on scholarships and other educational assistance.

Thomas Schieltz-Boy Scout Troop #307 Fund

(1994) Thomas Schieltz, a former scoutmaster of Troop #307, was honored by the creation of this fund.  Income from the endowment is used for special outdoor projects, such as camping and canoeing, and individual scholarships for youth with an interest, but not the finances, to attend Boy Scout Camp.

Carl R. Scholz-Unibilt Industries Scholarship Fund

(1994) Created in honor o Carl R. Scholz, founder of Unibilt Industries, Inc., for the children of employees of this privately held corporation, this fund provides scholarships to help youth attend college, a university or a private accredited primary or secondary school.

The Senior Wish Fund

(1994) Bob and Anne McConnell established this fund to enhance the quality of human life for senior citizens in Madison County, Miami County and Montgomery County.

The Major Jack Siegrist, M.D. Memorial Fund

The major Jack Siegrist, M.D. Memorial Fund (2007) provides high adventure activities such as Philmont, scuba diving, rock climbing, etc and similar high adventure activities for MVCBS of America Troop 204. This can include purchasing equipment, providing transportation and other activities related to the high adventure outings. The Major Jack Siegrist, M.D. Memorial Fund was established in recognition of his significant and long lasting contributions to Boy Scout Troop 204, Cricket Holler, Ohio
 

Marvin L. and Helen C. Sturm Memorial Scholarship Fund

(1993) Standing at the blackboard as a teacher at Butler High School, Helen Sturm cultivated her students' desire to achieve.  Her inspiration is as strong today as it was in the 1950's when she dusted chalk from her fingertips.  This fund provides scholarships to graduating seniors who excel in math and science.

Taryl and Viola Swigart Scholarship Fund

(1993) Married 56 years and having had no children of their own, the Swigarts chose to create this fund to provide for worthy and needy students from their hometown.

John T. Torlone Scholarship Fund

(1992) Once a member of the custodial staff in the Vandalia-Butler School District, Mr. Torlone was the inventor of The Creative Children's Chapel.  Through his estate, a scholarship fund was established to assist graduating seniors who enroll in any post high school education.

Gerald Turner Educational Endowment Fund

The Gerald L. turner Educational Endowment (2005) provides English teachers at designated high schools with grants for supplies and program expenses not otherwise provided for in their school’s budget. The fund honors the memory of this former President of the Vandalia-Butler Community Foundation, local attorney and Xavier University and Northern Kentucky University graduate. He cared deeply about his community and unselfishly volunteered his time and expertise to many groups and organizations.
 

Vandalia Cultural Arts Endowment Fund

(2001) The purpose of this fund will be to support artistic and cultural activities, programs, performances, and organizations for the benefit of City of Vandalia residents.  A citizens' Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the Vandalia-Butler Foundation regarding distribution of the funds.

Vandalia Lions Endowment Fund

(2001) The Vandalia Lions Club and the Henry W. Seger Memorial Trust established this fund to further charitable, educational, civic, religious and community activities, undertakings and institutions within the Vandalia-Butler area.

Vandalia-Butler Boosters Association Fund

(2001) Created by the Booster to help provide for future student athletic programs with the Vandalia-Butler City Schools, this fund will generate unrestricted operating revenue.

Vandalia-Butler Food Pantry Fund

(1999) This fund was established to accept donations for the design, materials, labor, construction and operation of the Vandalia-Butler Food Pantry building.

Vandalia-Butler Foundation Fund

(1985) Established to support charitable endeavors benefiting the citizens of Vandalia and Butler Township, the Foundation's Board of Trustees awards grants to qualified local non-profit organizations.

Vandalia-Butler Foundation Memorial Fund (2005)

Vandalia-Butler Foundation Operations Fund

(2003) The Foundation's Board of Trustees established this fund to help ensure that the Vandalia-Butler Foundation will be able to function effectively for years to come.

Vandalia-Butler Historical Society Fund

(1994) This fund was established to endow the Vandalia-Butler Historical Society and to support the efforts of this community-based organization.
 

Vandalia-Butler Schools Memorial Fund

(1994) Initiated by gifts in memory of Jimmie James and David B. Case, this fund will support scholarship-worthy graduates of Butler High School and efforts of the Vandalia-Butler Board of Education.

VISIONS: AN Eye for the Future Fund

(2002) Vandalia-Butler City schools and interested citizens established this fund to promote the quality of education in Vandalia-Butler City Schools.  The endowment fund will support new ideas in education, district initiatives, student scholarships, and training for teachers and administrators.

Todd and Rodney Wasson Memorial Scholarship

(1987) Parents and friends established this memorial fund to provide college scholarship assistance to members of the Butler High school wrestling Team.  Todd and Rodney were Butler graduates in 1981 and 1984, respectively.  Jerry and Sharon Wasson have made arrangements for gifts from life insurance policies to be added to this fund at a later date.

Weisenborn Family Fund

(1989) Benefiting nonprofit activities of interest to Howard and Marcie Weisenborn and their family is the purpose of this fund.  Howard's mother, Clara, a former state representative and senator, was probably best known for her daily column in the Dayton Journal Herald, "About Home and Family."

Mary Ann Wietzel "What's in it for Kids?" Fund

(2000) This fund supports innovative programs and activities to engage Helke Elementary School children in their learning through authentic, hands-on experiences.  Friends and family established this fund in memory of Mary Ann Wietzel, a longtime Vandalia-Butler educator and former principal of Helke, so that her creativity and can-do spirit will live on.