2017 Distinguished CitizenWHS Class of 1947Attorney/Judge/Community LeaderProfessionalAdmitted Supreme Court of Ohio - 1955Practicing Attorney - 1955-1985Admitted United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio - 1962Admitted Supreme Court of United States - 1967Admitted United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit - 1984Acting Substitute Judge - Alliance Municipal Court - 1978-1985Stark County Probate Court Judge - 1985-2003Retired Assigned Judge - 2003-2016Honors/AwardsAlliance Jaycees - Distinguished Service Award - 1970Canton Ex-Newsboys Hall of Fame - 1989Ohio Association of Probate Judges - Meritorious Service Award - 1990-2003Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice Award - Pope John Paul II - 2000Treat Award - National College of Probate Judges - 2003Lex Christi Award - Diocese of Youngstown - 2005Lifetime Achievement Award - Ohio Association of Probate Judges - 2011Thomas J. Moyer Award for Judicial Excellence - 2015Appointed by Governor Richard Celeste (1988-1989) to Revise Ohio Guardianship LawsAppointed by Governor George Voinovich (1995-1996) to Revise Ohio Adoption LawsCommunity InvolvementOfficer and Director - Alliance JayceesDirector - Alliance Rotary ClubPresident - Alliance Automobile ClubPresident - Mount Union College Alumni Association - 1973-1974Chairman, Board of Trustees - Emmaus Residence for Retired Priests - 1978-1997Treasurer - City of Alliance - 1966-1974Alliance Board of Education - 1974-1982EducationWashington High School - 1947Mount Union College - BS - 1951Western Reserve University School of Law - LLB - 1955Professional Affiliations Ohio State Bar Association - Member, Probate, Trust & Estate Planning Section (50 years) American Bar Association - Member, Probate & Trust Law Section (50 years) Stark County Bar Association - President - 1985 Ohio Association of Probate Judges - President - 1997-1999 National College of Probate Judges - President - 1998 2017 Distinguished CitizensSusan R. GessnerPamela Bordner GableLeroy H. SchumacherR. R. Denny Clunk