Elk Of The Year & Elk Hall of Fame Chair
Lloy Skillicorn, PDDGER
Galion #1191
It is the privilege of any Lodge of the Ohio Elks Association to nominate one or more of its members for consideration as “Elk of the Year” or for the “Elks Hall of Fame.” Every Lodge has at least one member who is there to help all the time to lend a helping hand or aid as needed for lodge projects.
Please take the time to review your membership and send your nomination forward to the State Association. Nearly every lodge is already recognizing these amazing members at the lodge level, so why not take this recognition to the next level and honor their dedication with our fellow brothers and sisters across the entire Buckeye State!
Get a committee together and write your candidate’s application and send it to the Satet Association. While every member that is submitted is likely worthy of this honor, it is guaranteed that no one can be honored unless lodges apply.
These awards allow our organization to recognize our outstanding members or groups and is also a way to share the opportunity and meaning of “Pouring Yourself into Elkdom” to others in your lodge and your community.
The “Elk of the Year” is to recognize an Elk’s work in your lodge, community and/or district.
The “Hall of Fame” should be for an Elk, a group of Elks, a Community Service Group that supports the mission of the Ohio Elks Association, or a Group within the lodge that is active outside the lodge in their community, district, or state and supports and promotes a Lodge.
Every District should make sure that it is represented in the state level contest. Please use the official entry form (link below) and submit it to Lloy Skillicorn at lloygmp@yahoo.com by January 31, 2027.
Award recipients will be acknowledged at the Ohio Elks State Convention in April of 2027.
2026 Elk Of The Year
Elizabeth “Beth” Montgomery
Chillicothe #52
Beth has been a member of Chillicothe Lodge #52 since 2004 and, as one might expect being nominated for this award, is heavily involved within the lodge and in the community.
She became involved because of her late husband, who was a PER of Chillicothe lodge. She has served as treasurer and as acting Secretary earning officer of the year and Elk of the year honors in her lodge.
She writes all the lodges grants and diligently ensures that all the funds are distributed properly. One of the grants she has written was used to fill 275 book bags filled with school supplies. She orders, organizes, and oversees the entire operation and even delivers the bags to all the local schools.
She is the South-Central District CP representative, working with the lodges on grant applications and gathers CP donations at District meetings
She is also the district representative to the Chillicothe Veteran’s Hospital, organizing the Christmas dinner at the lodge for more than 85 veterans living at the VA or the off-site homes. She arranges musicians to perform background music and encourages caroling at the event. She even persuades Santa to stop by for a few minutes during his most busy time of the year in his schedule. All the veterans go home with goody bags filled with snacks, puzzle books, gloves, and gift cards. She organizes all the volunteers that help with cooking and serving the veterans.
She plans and organizes the lodge’s Wednesday Fun nights making sure food is ready for the members.
When she is not at the lodge, she is watching her granddaughter play sports and is very active in the local DAR chapter, working as their treasurer. She even organizes the chapter’s Liberty Camp to help 8–12-year-old kids learn about the Revolutionary War.
She enjoys travelling when she has the time to fit it in.
Beth Montgomery of Chillicothe Lodge #52 is the 2026 Ohio Elks Association Elk of the Year, pictured OEA Trustee Approving Memeber Richard Threadgill.
2026 Elk Hall of Fame Inductee
Nevin Taylor, PSP
Marysville #1130
Nevin Taylor is a 44-year Elk member of Marysville Lodge #1130 and is one of the best human beings I know.
Most people in this room know that Nevin was State President of the Ohio Elks Association in 2018-2019 and was a two-time Exalted Ruler of Marysville Lodge #1130, first in 1989 and again in 2006.
What many may not know is that Nevin was a Vo Ag teacher retiring after 32 years and was honored as Ohio's Top Career Education Instructor - he is still active with the school in their scholarship program; he was a wrestling referee for the Ohio High School Athletic Association for over 25 yrs, being inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2006.
He still evaluates wrestling and football referees today; he was Sunny 95's Hometown Hero.
He has organized over 86 blood drives for the American Red Cross and is an active donor for over 30 years; he was a Marysville City Councilman for 14 years representing a period of bold decision-making, strategic development, and a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens.
His legacy of leadership on Council is etched in the modern infrastructure and revitalized public spaces that help define the City of Marysville today.
He is an ordained minister performing weddings at no cost and has performed numerous funerals giving many the dignity they deserve as they leave this life. Nevin can be seen shoveling the sidewalks and walk-ways of his lodge and church, Trinity Lutheran, where he also does readings and assists with services and special events.
For 35 years he has organized and directed the Marysville Elks Christmas parade; Nevin has been on the Union County Hospice board for over 30 years and has helped raise thousands of dollars with the golf outing and with charitable events; it is not uncommon for him to build and repair a computer for someone in need, free of charge; by the same token, those who may be strapped financially, can often count on him to do their taxes for free; during family doctor appointments, he is famous for treating the medical staff to Der Dutchman donuts. There are numerous other things that Nevin is involved in where a person donated this or that to a cause and wishes to remain "anonymous."
Nevin has been a driving force for the betterment of his community and lodge and is one of the most deserving individuals for this award.
Nevin was married to Deana for 40 amazing years, and while his bride is not physically with us here tonight, her spirit lives in this room tonight and we know she is here celebrating with us.
Nevin Taylor of Marysville Lodge #1130 is the 2026 inductee into the Ohio Elks Association Hall of Fame, pictured OEA Trustee Approving Member, Richard Threadgill.
PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1960
1960 - Dr. E. J. McCormick – Toledo
1961 - James A. Rhodes – Columbus
1962 - W. W. “Woody” Hayes – Columbus
1963 - Billy Southworth – Kenton
1964 - Ted Lewis – Circleville
1965 - Robert “Lefty” Grove – Norwalk
1966 - Jack Cannon – Columbus
1967 - Ray H. Perry – Martins Ferry
1968 - John Laslo – Martins Ferry
1969 - M. E. “Jack” Sensenbrenner – Columbus
1970 - Judge James A. Ravella – Warren
1971- John D. Quinn – Sidney
1972 - William H. Harsha, Jr. – Portsmouth
1973 - Wayne T. “Curley” Smart – Delaware
1974 -Richard Gallagher – Ironton
1975 - Harry C. Bauhan – Dayton
1976 - H. H. “Mike” Stoops – Portsmouth
1977 - No Awardee
1978 - Frank W. Wiley – Toledo
1979 - Robert J. Secrest – Cambridge
1980 - Earl L. Schreiber – North Canton
1981 - Jackson E. Betts – Findlay
1982 - Donald R. Ford – Warren
1983 - Robert “Joe” Hibbard – Massillon
1984 - Keith Boals - Ashland
1985 - Jerry Dunlap – Ashland
1986 - Richard P. “Rick” Wolfe – Ashland
1987 - Russell K. Doan – Elyria
1988 - William H. Shank – Warren
1989 - Edward C. Arn – Wooster
1990 - Lloyd “Toby” Tobias – Lancaster
1991 - John L. Johnson – Napoleon
1992 - Dr. David S. Goldschmidt – Circleville
1993 - David A. Laslow – Marysville
1994 - Loreto George – Barberton
1995 - Frank C. Dawson – East Liverpool
1996 - J. Warren Battis – Salem
1997 - Thomas D. Lambros – Ashtabula
1998 - Philip E. Hahn, Sr. – Elyria
1999 - Paul G. Basner – North Canton
2000 - Bill Derry – Van Wert
2001 - Michael J. Grigsby – Marysville
2002 - Richard Hougland – Chillicothe
2003 - Susan M. Scott – Port Clinton
2004 - Frederic C. LaFrance – Marysville
2005 - Ralph R. Jones – Wooster
2006 - Edward J. Helt, Jr. – Washington C. H.
2007 - David W. Straight – Parma
2008 - Pamela Shaw – Dayton
2009 - Hon. Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. – Ohio River Valley
2010 - James A. Sommer -- Greenville
2011 - No Awardee
2012 - No Awardee
2013 - Tim M. Churchill − Swanton
2014 - Carl R. Dobbins −Jackson
2015 - W. Eric McCracken – Van Wert
2016 - Debra Bingham – Marysville
2017 - Larry Clement – Willoughby/Cleveland
2018 - Michael C. Stanley – Van Wert
2019 - Lee Young - Elyria
2020 - Earl Swigart - Mansfield
2021 - George Wulfert - Marietta
2022 - Steve “Preach” Pritchard - Newcomerstown
2023 - Jon Felice - Willoughby/Cleveland
2024 - Roger Crowe - Kenton
2025 - Teresa Minarchik - Lakewood
2026 - Nevin Taylor - Marysville
Elks Hall of Fame Inductees
1960 - William Routsong – Cleveland
1961 - Fred Lees – Toledo
1962 - Roy Terrell – Piqua
1963 - Tom Price – Zanesville
1964 - Eldon Brown – Columbus
1965 - Norman K. Funni – Lima
1966 - Nick Kovic – Warren
1967 - Lloyd “Cy” Varner – Alliance
1968 - Ivan R. Hesson – Tiffin
1969 - Carl S. Jackson – Van Wert
1970 - Ed Turner – Dayton
1971 - Leslie A. Douglas – Martins Ferry
1972 - Edward Patris – Barberton
1973 - Ralph Curfman – Galion
1974 - Marshal N. Shere – Bowling Green
1975 - Francis Cupp – Chillicothe
1976 - John F. Harmon – Columbus
1977 - Donald N. Wilkin – Newark
1978 - William E. Platten – Parma
1979 - Rev. Charles D. Hering, Sr. – Tiffin
1980 - Harry E. Schultz – Alliance
1981 - Irwin “Irv” Cohen – Toledo
1982 - Leo J. Reuss - Marysville
1983 - John M. Eccleston - East Liverpool
1984 - Louis Crow – Van Wert
1985 - Charles Newell – Ashland
1986 - Michael Gerig – Wooster
1987 - J. Kenneth Klinck – Marietta
1988 - John W. Bosart, Jr. – Marysville
1989 - Carl R. Dobbins – Jackson
1990 - E. L. “Gene” Koerber – Parma
1991 - Jack F. Stabner – Springfield
1992 - Peter Zeidner – Barnesville
1993 - Edward H. Murphy – Elyria
1994 - Robert E. Powell – Springfield
1995 - Clyde Bray – Ashland
1996 - Basil P. Wallace – Delaware
1997 - Jacob H. Frowine – Portsmouth
1998 - Donald W. Peters – Dover
1999 - Donald Flitcraft – Alliance
2000 - Dane Dysert – Wellsville
2001 - James E. Ekelberry – Delaware
2002 - Edward Kalmers – Conneaut
2003 - William J. Ashton – Martins Ferry
2004 - Edward J. Kentner – Ravenna
2005 - Allen D. Zimmerman – Van Wert
2006 - Donald L. Garling, Sr. – Dayton
2007 - Scott Procopio – Washington Court House
2008 - Garrison “Muggs” McGinnis – Marion
2009 - George “Sonny” King – Chillicothe
2010 - William Willis – Alliance
2011 - Donald Winter – Willoughby/Cleveland
2012 - Deb Bingham – Marysville
2013 - Charles VanDyne – Kenton
2014 - Kevin Richardson − Findlay
2015 - Jerry Michael – Lebanon
2016 - David Noren – Elyria
2017 - Mike Mason – Springfield
2018 - Larry D. Wise – Newark
2019 - Sue Fox Buroker - Kenton
2020 - P. R. Marshall - Washington C. H.
2021 - David L. Ryan - East Liverpool
2022 - Alvie Pelfrey - Jackson
2023 - Harry J. Crooks - Maumee/Bowling Green
2024 - Rex Coldwell - Marion
2025 - Jason Ignaffo - Greenville
2026 - Elizabeth “Beth” Montgomery - Chillicothe