Carl Felger, Class of 1938, was nominated by Captain Robert Hart along with recommendations by Minerva area citizens including Dr. Robert Hines, Leroy Bartley, Carl W. Gartner, Homer Unkefer, James Waller, and P. R. Hart.
After high school, Felger attended Canton Actual Business College. He covered most of his business college expenses working the afternoon shift at Superior Ice Cream, Inc. of Canton. He then was employed as a bookkeeper and weight master for Lloyd Vandegrift Excavation, Inc., Beginning in 1942, he was a clerk for the New York Central Railroad yard in Minerva. In 1941 he joined the U. S. Air Force but was placed in Class C due to a perforated eardrum. In 1942 he was drafted by the U.S. Army and sent to Camp Maxey, Texas, Company K, 405th Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division for basic training. He attended communication schools in Texas and Louisiana and then was stationed at Fort Dix and Camp Kilmer, New Jersey; Weymouth, England; Cherbourg, France; and the north Paris area (Red Ball Express--Patton Division). With additional communication training and acquired knowledge, he attained the ranks of Sergeant and First Sergeant.
In 1944 Felger received the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement on November 29, 1944, in Germany. Among his other medals were the European Theater with two Battle Stars and a Presidential Citation for action at Boslar, Germany, on February 23 and 24, 1945, when German Tiger Tanks counter-attacked after being driven out by the 405th Regiment. He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army, and he served as a Master Sergeant in the Army Reserve from 1946-1953.
In 1944 Felger retired from Conrail after serving more than 42 years as clerk, trainmaster and trainmaster supervisor with the New York Central, Penn Central and Conrail.
Today Felger is probably best known for his community service. He has been an active member of Minerva Grade School (M. I. Day) PTA, Minerva Community Association officer, AARP officer, Community Meals, Salvation Army, and American Legion Post #357. He did much in acquiring the railroad caboose and restoring and beautifying the old Wheeling Lake Erie Railroad depot. From 1985 to the present, he has served American Legion Post #357 as adjutant, and he has served as chair of Veteran’s Day programs, emcee and guest speaker, and organizer of the committee for construction of the Veteran’s Monument at East Lawn Cemetery and other local cemeteries. He is the recipient of the Life Membership Award from the Minerva Legion Post. In 1997 the Minerva service clubs gave him their Special Recognition Award for years of service to the Minerva community. Presently, he is chairman of the Homecoming Parade Committee for the American Legion, which is a co-sponsor with the Community Association.
Felger is an active member of the Minerva United Methodist Church where he is a trustee and has served as a youth group advisor, chair of the building committee for the educational building, as well as being involved in other committees.
Captain Hart stated in his nomination, “Carl Felger’s job-practical-knowledge and skill acquired through self-earned education and long-hour working experience is outstanding. He is able to grasp old and new ideas in developing job techniques and perform all tasks and community projects with drive and enthusiasm. Of most importance, he constantly and actively seeks additional work and ways to accomplish work projects for the Minerva community and its people.”
Helen LeBeau Freed Whiteleather, Class of 1924, was nominated to the Minerva High School Alumni Hall of Fame by her daughter Carol Whiteleather Thomas. Additional nominations were received by Ruby and Arthur Guy, Bertha Hawn, Martha Gartner, and Robert McMillan. Carol says of her mother, "She was a credit to her Alma Mater, her community and her church."
Helen was born August 23, 1907, to Elmer and Emma Lebeau Freed. She died October 1988 in Minerva.
While attending Minerva High School she was involved in many extracurricular activities, including debate, Glee Club, and Crescent staff. Helen was also an accomplished pianist, and was salutatorian of her graduating class. She then became a student of the College of Wooster where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with a major in French and a minor in English.
She returned to Minerva High School to teach French and English. She also coached debate from 1928 to1934. Carol wrote that she must have been an excellent teacher because she was able to encourage Eddie Niuman to quote Shakespeare from memory. Helen was the Patroness of the Class of 1932 and the 1932 Crescent was dedicated to her.
On June 24, 1932, Helen secretly married Plirmey Scott Whiteleather, and taught at MHS for two more years to help Scott through medical school. Scott began his medical practice in 1934. Helen and Scott became the parents of two children, Richard and Carol.
Besides being a full-time bookkeeper of Scott's records and being his assistant in the medical office, she was active in many organizations. Helen's church and community involvement was outstanding. Although she was handicapped with a hearing loss, her accomplishments were great. A member of the First Christian Church, she was a Sunday School teacher for forty years, Sunday School superintendent for many years, organized a small church youth orchestra, served on the 1949 church building committee, and was church historian for many years.
Her community work included helping to organize the Minerva Grade School PTA, and becoming a member of the library board to help make her dream of a separate library building for Minerva come true. She was a member of Eastern Star and Past Matron’s Club. Woman’s Club, Minerva Garden Club, Entre Nous, Chairman of the Red Cross, DAR, and the Minerva Area Historical Society.
When her children attended Wooster College, she because district president of the Woman’s Club. She gave many speeches and visited many clubs in her district. She gave book reviews as a member of the College Book Club in Canton and was also a member of the Canton Medical Wives’ Auxiliary.
Roby Guy wrote that Helen strove for excellence, which was her way of life, combined with her love of family, community, God and her church. Martha Gartner added that she found Helen to be, “intelligent, compassionate, patient and always ready to serve.”
Carol said that her mother’s motto could have been, “Bloom where you are planted.” Helen enjoyed being with people and was interested in learning throughout her life. Carol concluded by saying, “She was a wonderful mother. She was the ‘wind beneath my wings’ as I was growing up. I miss her very much.”
Romain F. "Bud" Fry, Class of 1932, was nominated by Donna Hafer with seconding nominations by Dick and Verna Wadsworth, Dr. Robert Hines, Mark S. Kelly, Gerald R. Grimes, and Harry W. Smuck.
Fry has been a hard working businessman, a tireless worker for both the Booster Club in the 1950s and the Rotary Club since 1957, and a member of The Minerva Area Historical Society where he was a founder. He served as the Society's treasurer from January 1968 until his retirement on January 1, 1997.
Fry and his brothers formed the Fry Brothers Partnership, building over thirty homes in Minerva. They also built several commercial buildings, including a strip shopping center, which housed Bud Fry's primary business--Lincoln Way Furniture which served the community for fifty years. Even with the long hours in the furniture business, he had time to develop and operate Great Trail Gulf Course. He was founder of the Minerva National Bank, now Consumers National Bank. He made many trips to Washington, D.C., to meet with Representatives Frank T. Bow and Wayne Hayes to obtain the bank's charter.
Recently he received a certificate of appreciation and a lifetime membership to The Minerva Area Historical Society because of his dedicated service as its treasurer and for his membership on the steering committee that was responsible for organizing the area historical society.