June 2023

Applications accepted July 10-27

KENTON, OHIO - The Hardin County Department of Job and Family Services announced on June 29 that they will be launching a countywide back to school clothing program for eligible Hardin County families beginning, Monday, July 10.

“To be eligible families must reside in Hardin County, have children enrolled in grades K-12 and be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that’s right around $60,000 a year,” stated Jodi Tudor, Hardin County JFS Director.

John Robert “Bob” Daft, died on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Willow Ridge of Mennonite Home Communities in Bluffton, Ohio at 8:05 a.m.  He was born on December 17, 1930, to the late Olney and Beulah (Morrison) Daft. He married Edith M. Henry on Easter Sunday, March 25, 1951.  She preceded him in death on January 9, 2013. 

Bob is survived by his two children: Mark (Cathy) Daft of rural Ada and Donna Bosse of rural Bluffton; son-in-law, Kenneth Rader of Lima; ten grandchildren: Lee (Carole) Daft, Kelly (Jacob) Huber, Ty (Bethany) Daft, Beau (Amanda) Daft, Janet (Ben) Simms, Andy (Shelly) Rader, Cheri (Kory) Hubbell, Michelle (Justin) Craig, Brooke (Jason) Bormuth and Kimberly (Isaac) Hughes; twenty-eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Martha E. Rader; sister, Mildred Palmer; and a son-in-law, Jay Bosse. 

Bob was a lifelong farmer, born on, living on and expanding the farm that his great-great-grandfather bought from the government in 1837. He was a proud possessor of the original deed. He served on the Board of Directors of the Ada Farmers Exchange for 24 years, the Board of Directors of the Ohio Farmers Grain and Supply Company, the Ada Board of Education and was a member of the Hancock Co. Farm Bureau. He was a Hancock County 4-H advisor and served as Elder in the Bethel Church of Christ for many years filling many different roles. He loved teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir and in a traveling men’s quartet.  He was key in starting a men’s singing group at Maple Crest Retirement Home. Bob was most proud of the family that he and Edith built together.

Ohio EPA has extended a statewide Air Quality Advisory as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to adversely impact air quality.  The advisory is in effect through June 28-29. Ohio EPA expects the Air Quality Index to be in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to “very unhealthy” ranges.

When air quality is in the very unhealthy range, all people may experience health effects and should limit outside exposure when possible. To see real-time air quality in your area, visit the AirNow website HERE.