Joint Township District Memorial Hospital Flourishes

Joint Township Memorial Hospital, erected through a bond issue passed by citizens of German, Jackson, Noble and St. Marys townships on Nov. 5, 1946, officially opened its doors on May 5,1953. It was erected after a legal battle carried to the Court of Appeals and to the Supreme Court of Ohio to establish that the bond issue had properly been passed under the Uniform Bond Act. The Federal Government under the Hill-Burton Act had added $250,000 to the $500,000 authorized by the voters of the four township district to provide necessary funds for constructing and equipping the hospital. The hospital promotion had been spearheaded by the American Legion of St. Marys.

The people of St. Marys in a fund drive subscribed the $14,282.80 needed to purchase the hospital site in Highland addition, St. Marys. This drive was undertaken after it was learned that purchase of the site had been omitted inadvertently from the bond issue as it was submitted to the voters on the ballot although it had been included in the resolution passed by the trustees.

Citizens contributed funds for furnishing the rooms.

Dedication of the Hospital was delayed until May 12, 1954 when it was formally dedicated to the memory of World War II members from the four township area who had sacrificed their lives.

Dr. Guy E. Noble, the chairman of the first Board of Governors, presided at the dedication.

Trustees of the first board of the hospital district - included Ofie Dowty, Harry Quellhorst and William Lietz, St. Marys Township, Burt Kennedy, William Vogel and Alfred Nedderman, Noble township, William Schowe, John Zahn and William Dammeyer, German township and Ferd Bockrath, Ray Meyer and Fred Steineman, Jackson Township.

Members of the first board of governors were Dr. Guy E. Noble, St. Marys president; Reuben H. Dickman, New Bremen, vice president; Emil F. Marx, St. Marys, secretary; William Schowe, New Bremen, treasurer, Roy Meyers, Jackson township, Harry Freet, St. Marys and Roy Brodbeck Noble township. At the time of the dedication the board included Dr. Noble president; Earl Kuenning, New Bremen, vice president; Emil F. Marx, secretary; A. L. Kruse,

New Bremen treasurer; Harry Freet, St. Marys, legal representative, Joseph Stueve, Jackson township and Herman Oelrich, Noble township. Names on the Roll of Honor, placed on the bronze memorial plaque in the hospital lobby, are the following:

German Township

Gensler, George, Jr.; McNett, Richard; Knipple, Warren; Mohrman, Donald; Koenig, David; Shaffer, Gerald; Luebkeman, Frederick; Zahn, John, Jr.

Jackson Township

Heitkamp, Herbert; Thieman, William, Jr.; Ramsey, Paul; Weiskittle, Robert; Steineman, Herbert.

Noble and St. Marys Townships

Beale, Joseph S.; Liggett, George; Botkin, John P.; Lutterbeck, Myron; Clark, Raymond; Makley, Donald; Chamberlain, Robert; Miller, Doyt D.; Craft, Dale; Nealeigh, Guy L.; Cramer, Garard; Reiher, Thomas A.; Connaughton, William; Roettger, Vernon C.; Dickman, Vernon H.- Ryan, Ned Edward; Eberle, Franklin; Sweigart, Orvil; Faurot, Doyt W.; Sweigart, Carter E.; Felver, Carl H.; Schnelle, Vernon; Griner, Robert; Schamp, Walter; Huston, Alvin S.; Schelby, John E.; Joyce, Lester; Swysgood, Harold; Kettler, Charles; Yahl, Raymond; Linville, Herbert; Young, Delbert..

The hospital was expanded in 1957 with the addition of a 25-bed wing, constructed through a bond issue of $150,000 passed by the voters of the four township district.

A new laboratory and X-ray room were constructed in 1962. In 1963 the hospital was completely air-conditioned to make it one of the first small hospitals offering this convenience to its patrons.

On Aug. 16, 1963, the hospital received notification of its first official accreditation for a period of three years. Since then the hospital has received a maximum renewal of accreditation in 1966, 1969, and 1972, the last renewal having been received for a period of two years, the maximum today.

In 1965 the hospital added new storage facilities through addition of four rooms to the north wing of the buildings.

Then in 1970 the trustees of the hospital district, recognizing the need for enlarging the facilities, submitted to the voters of the four township area a bond Sue of $2,230,000 to provide for a multi-story addition to the hospital.

When the hospital was originally built the state hospital officials had inSlsted that the hospital be a one-floor plan despite the fact that local officials, doctors and nurses had spoken out for a multi-story building.

The trustees determined in 1970 to submit to the people a bond issue for a three story and basement addition. The bond issue was passed by a substantial margin and the structure is now well under construction, scheduled for completion later this year.

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