Gareth “Jake” Basinger, 81, died March 11, 2021 at Venice Regional Hospital in Venice Florida. He was born June 2, 1939, in Orange Township to the late Lendon and Dorothy Basinger.
Jake was a graduate of Bluffton High School and served in the United States Army. On June 8, 1963, he married Tommie Robinson.
Jake is survived by his wife, Tommie Basinger of Bluffton; two children, Gina (Drew) Chambers of Powell, Ohio, Scott Basinger of Bluffton; and five grandchildren, Alec Chambers, Andrea Chambers, Brady Basinger, Brett Basinger and Brien Basinger.
Tim Closson, Bluffton elementary principal for the past 14 years, will retire on June 30. Closson is a Bluffton High School and Bluffton College graduate. During his tenure as elementary principal the elementary received the U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Award. Bluffton elementary was one of only 16 schools in Ohio to receive the award.
Tim Closson, a fixture in Bluffton schools and currently Bluffton elementary principal, has announced his retirement effective June 30.
Closson, who attended school in Bluffton all 12 years – including fifth to eighth grade in Beaverdam - and graduated in 1979, has served as Bluffton elementary principal for 14 years.
He also graduated from Bluffton College, where he majored in business and education.
Prior to being hired as elementary principal at Bluffton, he was employed in Ada, Shawnee and Wayne Trace school systems.
According to the World Health Organization one-third of adults worldwide have suffered from a headache in the past year. Among the most common disorders of the nervous system, headaches are characterized by consistent, recurring pain in the head. They can range from a dull ache to severe migraines—a type of headache that inhibits one’s ability to function.
As part of Bluffton University’s Corporate Partner Program, Dr. George Lehman, professor emeritus of business, will begin providing training sessions on emotional intelligence (EQ) in the workplace.
Lehman’s first presentation will be for the Lima-Allen County Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber University. The Thursday, March 18, online training is free and open to the community by registering at Chamber University Online Training - Mar 18, 2021 - chamber – Lima Chamber
Bluffton council's approved a recommendation from its insurance committee to continue its employee insurance agreement with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield through April 30, 2022.
The action took place on March 8. Jerry Cupples said that Fortman Insurance provided six base rate quotes from competitive companies and the committee chose to remain with Anthem.
In other action, council set pay increases for village employees. Those are spelled out in the council packet attached to this story.
