John G. Ault, 1927-2012: Wood Co. farmer active in civic work

9/22/2012

John G. Ault of Perrysburg, who farmed the land and drove a school bus for a living while serving his community as a township trustee and then a county commissioner for more than two decades, died Thursday in St. Luke's Hospital. He was 84.

A cause of death was not made available by the family.

The Wood County commissioners on Friday ordered that the flags at all county buildings be flown at half staff to honor Mr. Ault, starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday until noon on Tuesday. He was a county commissioner from 1973 to 1984.

"John has been a very good friend to Wood County. He not only served as commissioner, but served in many other capacities as well," said Jim Carter, president of the Wood County commissioners.

Mr. Ault was also a Perrysburg Township appointee to the nine-member Northwestern Water and Sewer District board. He'd expressed interest in being reappointed to the board after his current term expired in December, Mr. Carter said.

"He was visible in the community and was willing to give advice to anyone," he said.

Mr. Ault also served on the public relations and resource committees.

He formerly was active in the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, Mr. Carter said.

"He was a very knowledgeable commissioner," Mr. Carter said.

Mr. Ault, born Nov. 11, 1927, in Perrysburg, was a farmer for 38 years and a bus driver for Rossford Schools.

He became active in public service in 1960, when he was elected a Perrysburg Township trustee.

He served in that capacity until 1971.

He served on numerous boards and organizations, including on the board of trustees for Owens Community College for 22 years, and as a charter member of the Perrysburg Township Fire Department

In the 1980s, he served on a governor's committee, Planning of New Institutions, which set minimum standards for construction and space requirements for new prisons, and he also conducted jail inspections.

He received the Spirit of Wood County Award for outstanding service in government.

He was a member of the Wood County Farm Bureau and was a director of Perrysburg Grain and Supply for 15 years. He was active in the American Legion Buckeye Boys State program.

He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S Army. He was a longtime member and usher at St. Rose Catholic Church.

He is survived his wife, Leona; sons, Rick, Tim, and Bill Ault; sister, Barbara Sattler; six grandchildren, and nine great- grandchildren.

Visitation is to be at the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St., Maumee, from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., Monday. Prayers are to begin in the funeral home at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, followed by a Mass at 10:30 am at St. Rose, 215 E. Front St.

Memorial contributions can be made to Perrysburg Township EMS or St. Rose Catholic Church.