The Vandalia-Butler Foundation Funds

Note: Due to the large size of this listing, it has been broken into multiple pages. Click on this pull-down menu to select the part of the alphabetical listing you wish to view.

Arts Revitalizing Team (a.k.a. A.R.T.) – 2001 finances cultural art activities for the enjoyment of students attending Vandalia-Butler schools. Margo Thomas Steinbaugh, an elementary school teacher who raised matching funds for the high school performing arts theater's renovation, initiated the fund.

Robert A. Bahr Memorial Scholarship Fund – 1998 initiated in memory of Robert A. Bahr, furthers higher education by awarding scholarships to Butler High School students for tuition and related expenses.

John A. Beckley Memorial Scholarship Fund – 1995 remembers the late principal of Butler High School by providing for the award of a scholarship to the outstanding graduating senior of this area school each year. This fund is the result of memorial contributions from community and family members.

Sylvia and Lawrence Brazie Family Fund – 1999 enhances growth of nonprofit organizations designated by the donors, Sylvia Brazie and her late husband Lawrence, founder and former chairman of Westminster Financial Companies, Inc., and trustee of the Vandalia-Butler Foundation.

C. F. Companies Scholarship Fund – 1993 helps graduates of Butler High School further their educational studies. The fund is named for the airfreight company that maintains a major hub at the Dayton International Airport.

Kathy Huston Clemens Memorial Scholarship Fund – 2000 was established by the family and friends of this Vandalia-Butler High School graduate to award college scholarships to Vandalia-Butler High School graduates pursuing a degree in education. Kathy Clemens was a beloved third-grade teacher and the 1998 “Teacher of the Year” in Houston, Texas.

Orville Cotterman Charitable Fund – 2010 provides operating funds to the Historical Society of Vandalia-Butler and Vandalia United Methodist Church. Orville Cotterman, a retiree of Frigidaire and a former Vandalia City councilman and School Board member, was a life-long resident of Vandalia until his passing in 2010.

Connie DeHart Memorial Scholarship Fund – 1993 is in remembrance of this educator and encourages young women from Butler High School to enter the teaching profession.

Colin & Lori Gatland Family Fund – 2000 recognizes this family’s love of animals by funding charitable and educational activities that benefit them. Lori Gatland is a trustee emeritus of The Vandalia-Butler Foundation.

Superintendent B. P. Gibson Memorial Scholarship Fund – 1999 was established by the friends and family of B. P. Gibson, former superintendent of Vandalia-Butler Schools, to award scholarships to graduating seniors of the Vandalia-Butler High School women’s varsity soccer team.

Stuart S. Gitman Memorial Scholarship Fund – 1998 was created by the late Dr. Edith Gitman 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 have an interest in furthering their education.

The Mark Goens Art Scholarship Fund – 1985 was established by Mark Goens' parents, Steven F. and Marilyn Goens, to assist graduates of the Vandalia-Butler City Schools, in the graduates’ 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 was established by this former teacher, who taught second grade for 43 years, to award scholarships to Northridge High School graduates majoring in elementary education at Miami University.

The Historical Society of Vandalia-Butler Endowment Fund – 2001 will help in the preservation and capital improvement of historic buildings located in the Vandalia-Butler area.

David A. and Kathryn E. Horner Family Memorial Fund – 1997 provides a scholarship to a Butler High School graduate. The focus changes to different causes in alternate years, including Boy Scout Troop #307. The fund was created by friends and family from the Vandalia-Butler community in memory of David, Kathryn, Jonathan, Carmen and Preston Horner, who perished in a train accident in central Ohio.

Blake LaForce #41 Memorial Scholarship Fund – 2017 awards scholarships to one female and one male student athlete at Butler High School each year to help them further their education. The fund memorializes BHS graduate Blake LaForce, an outstanding athlete and devoted Christian who fought a courageous battle against leukemia before his passing in 2009.

Leo and Marie Lauber Family Scholarship Fund – 2000 will serve to remember the Lauber family’s belief in education by awarding scholarships to Vandalia-Butler High School graduates enrolled in college or to Vandalia-Butler residents attending the Miami Valley Career Technology Center. Leo Lauber worked at GM/Frigidaire for 30 years. Marie Lauber was a homemaker. Together they called Butler Twp. home from World War II until their deaths.

M. Byron Morton Memorial Scholarship Fund – 2002 serves to remember this former Vandalia-Butler Schools» superintendent and namesake of the Morton Middle School. College scholarships will be awarded to Vandalia-Butler High School graduates.

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

The Neal Family Hope Fund – 2004 furthers 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.

Ron Nickel Memorial Scholarship – 2017 celebrates the life of this beloved teacher and coach by awarding scholarships to graduating athletes of Vandalia-Butler High School. Ron Nickel’s positive attitude and exuberant spirit made him an inspiration to many.

Marvin L. O’Cull Scholarship Fund – 1996 established in memory of Marvin L. O’Cull, a longtime member of the Vandalia-Butler Optimist Club, grants an annual scholarship to a Butler High School senior entering the field of engineering.

Rebecca Bone Pelfrey Memorial Scholarship Fund – 2017 helps Butler High School seniors further their education. Three annual scholarships are awarded from the fund, two for legacy graduates and another for a student who is interested in pursuing a career in design. The fund was established in memory of Rebecca Bone Pelfrey, a BHS graduate and talented designer who enjoyed decorating homes and creating clothing.

Rotary Club of Vandalia Charitable Fund – 1990 disperses income, at the suggestion of the club, to support its charitable activities. Special emphasis is given to scholarships and other educational assistance.

Thomas Schieltz Boy Scout Troop #307 Fund – 1994 honors the former scoutmaster of Troop #307. Income from this endowment is to be used for special outdoor activities, such as camping and canoeing, and for individual scholarships for youth with the interest, but not the finances, to attend Boy Scout camp.

Carl R. Scholz Unibilt Industries Scholarship Fund – 1994 pays tribute to the founder of Unibilt Industries, Inc., and was established by his son, Douglas C. Scholz, for the children of employees of this privately held corporation. This fund provides scholarships to help youth attend accredited private primary or secondary schools, as well as college.

Nancy Ellen Wegner Schumacher and Robert Frederick Schumacher Scholarship Fund – 2010 helps Vandalia-Butler High School students pursue a degree in engineering, math or science. Robert Schumacher, a World War II veteran and manufacturing engineer for 30 years, retired from Chrysler Corporation in 1982. Nancy Schumacher worked as a chemist at General Motors until her marriage to Robert in 1953. During her years as a homemaker, she combined her chemistry experience with her love of cooking to develop new recipes.

The Senior Wish Fund – 1994 pools lottery winnings with appreciated stock from Robert and Anne McConnell to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens in the Vandalia-Butler community.

Major Jack Siegrist, M.D., Memorial Fund – 2007 finances high-adventure activities, such as scuba diving and rock climbing, for members of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 204.

Marvin L. and Helen C. Sturm Memorial Scholarship Fund – 1993 provides scholarships to students who have excelled in math or science. The Sturms were longtime residents of the Vandalia-Butler community.

Vandalia-Butler Foundation – The Bruce Sucher Memorial Scholarship – 2019 honors the memory of Bruce Sucher, a former chief of police, city manager for Vandalia and school board president for Vandalia-Butler City Schools, by awarding scholarships in his name. To be considered for the scholarship, students must be a graduating senior of Vandalia-Butler High School and demonstrate leadership, among other criteria.

Taryl and Viola Swigart Scholarship Fund – 1993 selects college-bound, needy students to receive this award. Married 56 years and with no children of their own, the Swigarts chose to benefit students from their hometown through their estate.

John T. Torlone Scholarship Fund – 1992 makes annual awards to graduating seniors from the Vandalia-Butler city school system to attend any post-high school educational program.

The Gerald L. Turner Educational Endowment – 2005 provides annual income for the tuition assistance program at Chaminade Julienne High School. The fund honors the memory of this former Vandalia-Butler Foundation president, 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-Butler Foundation Fund – 1985 facilitates support of charitable endeavors by the Board of Trustees of the Vandalia-Butler Foundation. The fund benefits the citizens of the city of Vandalia and of Butler Township.

Vandalia-Butler Foundation Small Business Opportunity Fund in Memory of Ron Gearhart – 2015 assists small businesses in Vandalia and Butler Township with specific projects. Ron Gearhart was a longtime Butler Township resident who served on the Vandalia-Butler City Schools Board of Education for 18 years.

The Vandalia-Butler Foundation Operations Endowment Fund – 2003 will assist The Vandalia-Butler Foundation in its charitable operations by generating annual unrestricted revenue.

Vandalia-Butler Foundation Term Fund – 2019 supports the operation of the Vandalia-Butler Foundation and its family of funds. 

Vandalia-Butler Historical Society Fund – 1994 was established to endow this history-preserving organization and support its community-based efforts.

Vandalia Cultural Arts Fund – 2001 provides revenue to support artistic and cultural activities, programs, performances and organizations in the City of Vandalia.

Vandalia Lions Endowment Fund – 2001 was established by the Vandalia Lions Club to enhance charitable, educational, civic, religious and community activities within the City of Vandalia or Butler Township.

Visions: An Eye for the Future Fund – 2003 was established by Vandalia-Butler City Schools and interested citizens to encourage new ideas in education and provide funds for student scholarships and teacher training programs.

Todd and Rodney Wasson Memorial Scholarship Fund – 1987 provides college scholarship assistance to members of the Butler High School wrestling team. Todd and Rodney Wasson were graduates of the school in 1981 and 1984, respectively. Gifts of life insurance from Jerry and Sharon Wasson will someday add significantly to the fund.

Weisenborn Family Fund – 1989 benefits nonprofit activities of interest to Howard and Marcie Weisenborn and their family. Howard Weisenborn's mother, Clara, a state representative and senator, was probably best known for her daily column in the Dayton Journal-Herald, “About Home and Garden.”

Mary Ann Wietzel “What's In It For Kids?” Fund – 2000 was established by the friends and family of Mary Ann Wietzel, a longtime Vandalia-Butler educator and elementary school principal, to encourage innovative programs and hands-on activities for Helke Elementary School children.