Barbara Plaugher, involved in a lifetime of helping local organizations, is the Bluffton Lions Club 2016 Citizen of the Year.

Details about her recognition program are at the end of this story.

Among her volunteering includes organizing 25 Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) missions to underdeveloped nations, and participating in 20 of those missions.  She is the VOSH-Ohio secretary, newspaper editor and board member.

In 2013 she received the Albert E. Dykes Health Care Worker of the Year award, given by the Ohio Hospital Association and presented to the best health care worker in Ohio.

She and her husband, Arliss, joined the Bluffton Lions Club in 2002. During this time she served Lions in many capacities. These include club president twice, board of directors and club secretary.

In the statewide and international Lions organization Plaugher served as zone chair, district vice-governor and district governor. She is the Lions Club international Foundation coordinator for Bluffton’s district. In 2011 she was named a Melvin Jones Fellow, for her exemplary contributions as a Lion.

Outside of Lions, she and Arliss received the Lima News Jefferson Award in 2010 for their volunteer service.

Locally, she is a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, where she has served as organist.

The Plaughers are parents of four children, Roger (Rosemary) of Bluffton, Randall (Teresa) of Wapakoneta, Susan (Keith) Kaufman of Columbus and Mary of Stockton, Calif.

She is a 1954 Harrod High School graduate, a 1957 Lima Memorial Hospital School of Nursing graduate, holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College, Windham, Maine, and a master’s degree from the University of Dayton.

As a lifelong nurse, she worked at Bluffton Hospital and in Dr. F.D. Rodabaugh’s general practice office.

Recognition program April 18
A program, open to the public, recognizing Plaugher is Tuesday, April 18, in the third floor of the Bluffton town hall. Fellowship time starts at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. with awards to follow.

Henry’s Restaurant caters the dinner. Tickets are $18 each and are available from Gene Long or by mailing a check to Bluffton Lions Club, PO Box 223, Bluffton.

Previous winners
2015 - Oliver Lugibihl
2014 - Dennis Morrison
2013 – Richard Ramseyer
2012 – Bob and Beverly Amstutz
2011 – Elaine Harris
2010 – Jerry and Lori Lewis
2009 – Jean Muller
2008 – Maurice Fett
2007 – Dr. Howard Shelly
2006 – Richard and Margaret Weaver
2005 – Fred Rodabaugh
2004 – Richard and Betty Cookson
2003 – Ropp Triplett
2002 – Morris Groman
2001 – Jim and Jean Szabo
2000 – Don and Nancy Schweingruber
1999 – Roger Mullenhour
1998 – Richard Boehr
1997 – Wayne Matter
1996 – Jean Triplett
1995 – Helen Tschantz
1994 – Herman Hilty
1993 – Leland Lehman
1992 – Lois Rodabaugh
1991 – Earl Lehman
1990 – Howard Raid
1989 – Dr. B.W. Travis
1988 – Mary Emma Triplett
1987 – James F. West
1986 – Paul Stauffer
1985 – Forrest Steinman
1984 – Eugene Benroth
1983 – James Ehrman
1982 – A.C. Burcky
1981 – Dr. F.D. Rodabaugh