Meet the 2024 Board of the Waterville Historical Society
OFFICERS

Steve Lauer was born in Toledo, grew up in Rochester, New York and has a B.S degree in biology from Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio. He has worked in water treatment and water treatment chemicals for 42 years. Steve and wife Paula were happy to move to Waterville in 1981, a work-related move. They have been members of the Waterville Historical Society since the mid-1980s. Steve has deep family roots in Henry County and the Maumee River Valley. His great, great, grandfather worked on the canal from 1840-1849. His interests are American History, American Presidents, genealogy and birding. He is a co-leader of the Oak Openings Region breeding raptor (hawks, owls and eagles) monitoring project. Steve and Paula have both served on the S.O.S. committee and now retired Steve desires to become more active with WHS. This will be his first year as President of WHS.

1st Vice President: Julia Wiley as part of her duties, selects and contacts speakers for the monthly programs for the Historical Society. Julia is an attorney and Current President of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield Preservation Commission, has served on a number of Boards. Her hands-on history experience started with local history research in Putnam County, Ohio with architectural history and preservation field work in college. She has been actively involved in a number of living history projects, including the War of 1812 Bicentennial commission, Finding the Fort Project for Fort Jennings, and most recently, the Preservation of the Anthony Wayne Mural, the relocation of a 15’ x 25’ mural that was almost 90 years old from its original place in the People’s Savings Bank in Downtown Toledo.

2nd Vice Pres/Membership Chair: Rose Kandik, recently returning to the position of Second Vice President, will work on membership for WHS. She joined the board in 2010 once retired from 40 years in various levels of education from teaching to administration, specializing in curriculum and instruction. Her interests include care for the environment, for nature and for other hobbies including traveling, gardening, hiking, and trying new recipes for cooking and baking. Rose also belongs to the board of Parks and Recreation for the city of Waterville. She is married to Andy and has two grown children, Tricia Kandik and Christopher, married to Allison Denny, parents of grandson Theo.

Recording Secretary: Kathy Saco ~ Since joining the Society in 2011, Kathy has served as a docent in the Robbins House Museum, chairman of the Constitution Revision Committee and corresponding secretary for the Board. She currently serves as the Society’s recording secretary and as a member of the Museums and Historic Sites Committee, helped design and display an exhibit “On Women Suffrage-the right to vote” 

Corresponding Secretary - DeAnna Bradley, a lifelong Whitehouse resident with a 35+ year career with the Anthony Wayne schools has been elected again for the 2020 year.  She credits her father’s recounts of experiences in World War II and the influence of an Anthony Wayne teacher who “brought history alive” for her as her motivation to become involved with the historical society.  Mrs. Bradley has already charmed several years of third grade classes at the Waterville school with WHS’s “Suitcase Museum” presentation, and had several roles as ghosts in the Ghostly Encounters series

Treasurer (2024-2026)-Amy Schultz, (Sue Bagdonas, Interim treasurer)

Sue Bagdonas has been a CPA for 42 years, retiring in August of 2018.  Her last position was Director of Finance at the Toledo Zoo.  She has been married to Jim Bagdonas for 42 years and they have two children, a son and daughter-in-law in Perrysburg and a daughter and son-in-law in Columbus. They have four grandchildren. They became docents about a year and half ago.   Sue has loved learning about the history of Waterville and is glad that she has this opportunity to be a small part in the preservation of that history.

Board of Directors at large, severing for three years (1/2023-12/2025)

Robert Christiansen served as a trial judge on the Lucas County Common Pleas Court and the Toledo Municipal Court for 40 years. Although retired, Robert still serves as a Retired Judge by assignment by the Ohio Supreme Court. He travels to various Courts in Northwest Ohio. Robert has been involved in the Community of Waterville since 2006. He has enjoyed the events sponsored by the Waterville Historical Society and attends as many as possible. The Ghostly Encounters in the Wakeman Cemetery is always a favorite.

Margaret (“Peg”) Ryan has been a resident of Waterville since 1989, raising her two boys here. She has been a member of the Waterville Tree Commission since 2007, and, in support, completed the Tree Commission Academy through the Ohio Division of Urban Forestry. In addition, Peg was certified as a Master Gardener through the Ohio State Extension program in 2008. Peg is the Human Resources & Diversity Manager with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, where she has worked since 1990.

Board of Directors at large, serving for three years (1/2024-12/2026)

Beth Hyder moved to Waterville in 1974 when her parents, David and Phyllis Hyder, bought and renovated the William Haskins house (built 1908). They were active members of Waterville Historical Society, volunteering countless hours restoring the Robbins House and Wakeman Hall. Phyllis is a WHS past president, and Beth is proud of the work her parents did to preserve Waterville’s history and build strong community partnerships to connect people to that history. It’s no surprise that after living from Honolulu to Naples, Italy (and quite a few places in between), Beth chose to return to Waterville in 2006, buying and renovating the Frank Haskins house (built 1903). She currently resides in the William Haskins house and opened it for the 2019 WHS Historic Homes Tour. She is a biologist, environmental scientist, and school administrator by profession. She also teaches and performs with the Ballet Theatre of Toledo. An admitted science nerd, Beth is an avid gardener, natural history buff, sailor, traveler, and lifelong learner. She is the mother of two, who have fond memories of dressing up and helping at RDB, three generations side-by-side sharing a love of history in a city that celebrates its past.

Scott Duncan has worked tirelessly on many historical society functions over the past years from managing the Society’s ice cream fundraisers and parking at the Wakeman building for the Roche de Boeuf festival to volunteering his skills in restoration and cleanup of buildings and grounds.

Board of Directors serving a three year terms ~ 1/2022-12/2024

Bill Albert has been a resident of Waterville since 1981. He was an active participant in the 50th Anniversary Committee, organized the first official event in December 2014, and has assumed responsibilities for a number of other events with new and interesting ideas. Among his may interest is stereography, three dimensional photography. Bill has participated in RDB Day for many years. He has volunteered as a docent for the open houses.

Merle Wilhlem: I have been a resident of Waterville since 2009, moving into a 1907 home that I completely renovated. I have been a member of the Historical Society since 2011.  After becoming a Microsoft Certified Professional, I worked for At&t for 18 years, retiring in 2019. Hobbies include genealogy, gardening and woodworking. I have totally rebuilt the 2 wheeled cart on the Waterville historical grounds from scratch. and am currently on the City of Waterville's tree commission.  Practically all my descendants are from Germany and am the president of our family reunion. I have a deep love of history.

Katharine Morris Heintschel, daughter of Marian Good and Wilson Morris. She attended Waterville and Anthony Wayne High School. Katharine attended The University of Toledo, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Education degree. In 1986, she earned a Master of Education, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction. In her 36-year public school career, she taught in the Oregon City Schools and retired from Anthony Wayne High School as a senior English and British Literature teacher. She is a past president of the Anthony Wayne Alumni Association. In June, 2020 she moved back to Waterville. Katharine has served as a tour guide for the Waterville Historical Society home tours. She also has  an interest in preserving the interurban bridge over the Maumee River and educating others about the rich and colorful history of Waterville, Ohio. 

Standing Committee members, appointed positions:

Bob Chapman, Chairperson of the Museum and History Committee is an active member who assists with the building and grounds and also volunteers in the Wakeman Archival Research Center. Bob has served as a docent during open houses and Third Grade visits. He arranges the special exhibits at the Robbins House and manages the exhibits in the other museums.

Verna Rose, Chairperson of the Archives Committee has organized the Archival Research Center at the Wakeman Building. She has led the search and creation of the WHS website and Facebook. Verna and her husband John have authored five books on Waterville.  They have volunteered countless hours to staffing the archives and assisting visitors with research and responds to numerous local genealogy questions. She and her husband maintain the website and Facebook page for the historical society.

Chairperson of the Building and Grounds Committee: This person will oversee and directly works on maintenance and renovations for the WHS campus of buildings, including the Wakeman building, Robbins House, Sargent House, Cobbler Shop, Sargent House garage and the former Gas Co. building.

Jim Conrad , Chairperson of the Student Advisory Committee has served seven terms as President.  In addition to giving programs for the society and other organizations, he continues to conduct walking tours of both downtown and uptown Waterville, as well as tours for local third graders.  He is also the well-known and hardworking storyteller of our Haunted Waterville Trolley Tours. He continues to work on our campaign to secure donations for property restoration/maintenance and improvement of our educational programs and outreach. Jim works with the SAC (Student Advisory Committee) producing the education programs for the third-grade classes.

Chairperson of Publicity:

Austin Wilson SAC Representative:

Austin Wilson is a Senior at Anthony Wayne High School. A member of the Marching Band and Tennis team. He is also the Community Outreach Officer for the High School Student Council and has been a member of the Waterville Historical Society for several years. He actively volunteered for the Haunted Waterville tours, assisting in updating the local businesses section of the archives, and videoing various programs that the historical society puts on each year. Additionally, this year will be his third year as a member of the SAC (Student Advisory Council). He ran and was elected to be one of three Co-Chairs that lead the SAC on a bimonthly basis.