Licking County Foundation’s donors come from every walk of life…every generation…and their interests are as varied as the people they wish to serve. Yet each of our donors has something in common—an unmistakable desire to improve their community. We are truly grateful to the individuals, families and organizations that have recently established these charitable funds.

Funds Established in 2022

Designated Agency

John A. and Dorothy L. Brown Fund
This designated agency fund was initiated by John A. Brown, Jr. and his wife, Dana, as a surprise Christmas gift to honor his parents, John A. and Dorothy L. Brown. John and Dorothy met while attending Newark Catholic High School and were married in 1968. John attended the University of Toledo on a football scholarship and earned his Master’s degree from Xavier University. The decorated Vietnam War veteran started his teaching and coaching career at Watkins Memorial High School and continued teaching and coaching in the Newark City Schools, serving as Assistant Principal at Lincoln Junior High School for one year before being appointed Athletic Director, from which he retired after 19 years. Dorothy spent her career in public service, first with Licking County Veteran’s Service Commission and eventually retiring from the Licking County Municipal Court as Chief Deputy Clerk of Courts. The fund supports the Newark High School Booster Club, Newark Catholic High School Foundation, and Church of St. Edward the Confessor, where the couple have been active members.

Ben and Kay Finckel Fund
This designated agency fund was established through a bequest from Kay Finckel to support the causes she and her late husband Ben cared about most during their lifetimes:  the Licking County Humane Society and the Foundation for Hospice of Central Ohio. Mary Katherine “Kay” House and Ben Finckel were married in 1966. Ben passed away in 2006; Kay died in 2020. Kay never met a stranger and loved animals. Ben, who retired after 43 years with Park National Bank, loved golf, was a Cleveland Indians fan, and served in the Ohio National Guard. Kay was a teller at the Old First National Bank for many years and also was a secretary at the Law Office of Mantonya. Kay was an Elder and a 58-year member of the Second Presbyterian Church where Ben served as Treasurer for 34 years.   

Grow Your Music Fund
This designated agency fund was created by Linda Habig, a professional flutist and experienced music educator dedicated to sharing her joy of music-making with everyone—especially young people. The fund supports scholarships for private music instruction on orchestral or band instruments. Scholarships are offered to Licking County students in grades 7-12 who would not otherwise be able to take private music lessons due to their family’s financial situation. It is her hope that the Grow Your Music Fund will help more students grow their musical abilities and share their musical delight in the community.

Lindsey-Tallman Fund Lindsey-Tallman Scholarship Fund    
This designated agency fund was established by the Last Will and Testament of John R. Lindsey to support the Second Presbyterian Church of Newark, Ohio and the Lindsey-Tallman Scholarship Fund of the Licking County Foundation, which will assist female high school graduating seniors with financial need to further their studies at an accredited college or university.

John passed away on April 13, 2022. Born on May 23, 1936 in Bryan, Ohio where he and his three siblings were raised, John was a standout basketball player through high school. After earning both his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University, John entered the United States Air Force through its Judge Advocate General program, and served as an officer and legal counsel prior to being honorably discharged at the rank of Captain. While stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey, he met the love of his life, Sandra Ann Tallman. They married and settled in Granville, Ohio where they raised their two children, Meg and Kirk. 

John’s distinguished career as an attorney included serving in the office of the Ohio Attorney General as counsel for the Department of Transportation. He once held the office of City Solicitor for the City of Newark, Ohio, served for many years as a trustee at the Second Presbyterian Church in Newark, and served the community through his own law practice for more than 25 years. He was a voracious reader and a life-long Ohio State Buckeye fan, and a lover of the outdoors, shooting, boating, skiing, and tennis. With the exception of shooting, Sandra also enjoyed these interests – along with hikes in the woods, tending her garden, sewing, and listening to classical music. Professionally, she was a dietitian serving the nutritional and health needs of the elderly through various nursing homes in central Ohio. But she spent just as much time supporting her community in Newark and Granville with the generous dedication of her time and empathy and talent. Together, she and John loved life and each other immensely. Their legacy of love and kindness live on.

Plymouth Church Legacy Fund
This designated agency fund was established by the congregation of Plymouth Church to support causes that were meaningful to them:  The Food Pantry Network of Licking County, Heartbeats for Life, and The Center for New Beginnings Shelter and Services. In 2021 the congregation voted to use the proceeds from the sale of the church building that had been occupied since 1909 to continue improving the lives of others. The beauty and history of the building will endure in the heart of downtown Newark, and the giving spirit of its congregation will endure for generations through grants from this fund.

Scholarship

Buddy Callicoat Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established in memory and celebration of the life of Edward A. “Buddy” Callicoat, a teacher and lifelong learner, by his family and friends. In addition to being a devoted father and outdoor enthusiast, Buddy spent his life creating lifelong connections as a student, coach at New Albany Schools, and as a teacher at Watkins Elementary and Middle Schools and Groveport Madison Elementary. Buddy’s approach to teaching and personal commitment to help every child learn inspired many of his students to pursue their own teaching careers. This scholarship assists graduates of Watkins High School intending to study education, ecology, or environmental science at an accredited post-secondary institution.

Coach Hardin / Coach Klontz Bulldogs Forever Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established by classmates, friends and alumni of Bulldog Sports in honor of Coach Dave Klontz and Coach Don Hardin for their decades-long service and dedication to providing Heath High School students with outstanding coaching support in the track and baseball programs. The scholarship celebrates their impact not only in bringing out the best in student athletes but also sharing important life lessons and modeling values of hard work, leadership, teamwork, honesty, integrity, respect, and personal responsibility. This scholarship assists Heath High School graduating seniors who demonstrate outstanding achievement in Heath High School sports who wish to continue their education at a two or four-year program at any accredited college, university, trade or technical school.

C. Vernon Johnston Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established by the former Jacksontown High School Alumni Association to honor their treasurer, longtime volunteer, friend, fellow Alumnus and Lakewood Schools Future Cities instructor Clifford Vernon Johnston. Vern was a 1953 graduate of Jacksontown High School who, in early adulthood, sustained serious injuries from a water-skiing accident. Doctors predicted he would never walk again, but Vern defied those odds and went on to have a successful career in the aerospace and engineering industries, including forming his own engineering firm which he ran for 30 years and holding several patents. He says his favorite endeavor was his 15 years as mentor with the Future Cities program for Lakewood Schools; Lakewood frequently placed among Ohio’s top five Future Cities teams and took second-place honors twice. As Jacksontown High School was the forerunner to the current Lakewood High School, the scholarship will provide one-time support to two graduating seniors from the Lakewood High School Class of 2023.

Anne Owens Seidel Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established in 2020 by Anne Seidel as one of two scholarships in honor of her husband, Walter H. Seidel, and their 60 years together. The Seidels were married on July 10, 1948, and Walter passed away in 2008. He graduated from Newark High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked for the A.H. Heisey Co., the Heath Refinery, and retired in 1990 from Denison University as a stationary engineer. He said that his job was to “keep the co-eds warm at Denison.” Anne graduated from Granville High School, played piano by ear and was a member of the Sweet Adelines chorus for 60 years. She worked for the Pure Oil Company Heath Refinery for 40 years and worked as a secretary in the mayor’s office for the City of Newark for 13 years. This renewable scholarship assists Granville High School graduating seniors who have been involved in some form of music program (e.g., orchestra, band, choir) during high school, are pursuing a bachelor’s degree and give preference to students who declare majors in a music-related field.

Walter Seidel Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established by Anne Seidel as one of two scholarships in honor of her husband, Walter H. Seidel, and their 60 years together. The Seidels were married on July 10, 1948, and Walter passed away in 2008. He graduated from Newark High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked for the A.H. Heisey Co., the Heath Refinery, and retired in 1990 from Denison University as a stationary engineer. He said that his job was to “keep the co-eds warm at Denison.” Anne graduated from Granville High School, played piano by ear and was a member of the Sweet Adelines chorus for 60 years. She worked for the Pure Oil Company Heath Refinery for 40 years and worked as a secretary in the mayor’s office for the City of Newark for 13 years. The renewable scholarship assists Newark High School graduating seniors who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering at an accredited college or university.

Lindsey-Tallman Scholarship Fund
A scholarship fund established by the Last Will and Testament of John R. Lindsey. This non-renewable scholarship assists female high school graduating seniors with financial need to further their studies at an accredited college or university.

Rob and Beth Anne Young Scholarship Fund
This fund was established by Beth Anne Young, who passed away in 2022. Beth Anne and Rob spent 42 years together until Rob’s passing in 2019. Rob and Beth Anne both saw their time together as “the greatest ride you could ever hope for.” Both graduates of Newark High School, Rob and Beth Anne worked and lived in Newark until Rob’s career with American Electric Power (AEP) took the couple abroad to Pakistan for two years. Upon returning to the States and Rob retired, they moved to Virginia. Beth Anne continued working for Gloucester Social Services and Rob was active with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the local Rotary International chapter.  Rob was a member of the Newark/Heath Rotary Club, Newark Elks Lodge 391 and American Legion Post 85. The couple both enjoyed Newark Maennerchor and the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club and continued to travel. Beth Anne also enjoyed her regular luncheons with fellow Park National Bank retirees and friends from her 1963 Class of Newark High School. The scholarship assists Licking County residents furthering their education and is renewable up to four years.

Donor Advised and Community Charitable Funds

Jim and Tammy Roberts Family Fund
This fund was established to support the charitable causes most important to Jim and Tammy Roberts and their children. 

Karen Sullivan Memorial Fund
This community charitable fund was established by Tim Sullivan in honor and memory of his wife, Karen Sullivan, to whom he was married for 43 years. Karen was a native of Licking County and worked at Owens Corning Fiberglas Technical Center in Granville for nearly 25 years, where Tim worked for 43 years.  After retirement, Karen and Tim moved to the Columbus area to be closer to their son Brian, daughter-in-law Rebecca, and grandsons Kaiden and Grayson.  Karen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2010, and aggressively battled the symptoms with Delay the Disease workout sessions at PDNext Steps for over a decade. In 2021, Karen was diagnosed with a rapidly growing form of brain cancer and passed away in 2022 after several months of treatments. She Karen was a role model who stoically and cheerfully fought multiple health-related challenges. Grants from the Karen Sullivan Memorial Fund support fitness programs in Franklin and Licking County for people with Parkinson’s Disease and projects that improve recreation and leisure opportunities in Granville. 

Joe L. and Sue W. Yee Fund
This donor advised fund was established by Sue W. Yee in loving memory of her husband Joe L. Yee, to assist the charitable causes and organizations that were important to them during their nearly 57 years of marriage and to support ever-evolving community challenges and opportunities. A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Joe attended college through an ROTC scholarship and proudly served his country as a member of the US Army during Vietnam. Sue grew up in a small village near Canton, China and moved with her parents to Ohio, graduating from Cleveland Heights High School. Sue was finishing her nursing degree when she met Joe at a community picnic held at a Cleveland area park. They were married in 1963 and moved to the Newark area in 1973.  After 20 years with GE, Joe retired then took a job with ODOT until he retired. Sue kept up her nursing license while raising their two sons and returned to work at Licking Memorial Hospital after her youngest went to college. Throughout their marriage, both Sue and Joe always cared for others. In creating the fund to honor Joe and give back to the community, Sue says, “I just felt that I need to give back. We were always mindful of others’ hardships, and while Joe worked a great deal, we felt very fortunate.” Especially important to Sue are organizations that assist veterans, older persons and others with basic and medical needs.

Unrestricted

Brenda L. Kutan Fund
This established unrestricted fund was established to allow the Licking County Foundation to address the community’s most urgent needs and emerging opportunities. Brenda is a life-long Licking County resident. Two weeks after graduating from Lakewood High School, Lowell Anstine hired Brenda to work at Park National Bank’s Hebron branch. She moved on to the Newark Branch and capped her career at almost 45 years when she retired – having spent most of those years as the administrator in the executive office. Brenda says she is inspired by the people and the closeness of the community. “People care about each other. I love the small-town feel. Friends and family always want to know what’s happening here in Licking County and love to visit!”

Waltan Family Fund
This fund was established by the estate of Walter and Lillian Anne Seidel, to support Licking County nonprofit organizations to improve the lives of others in our community. The Seidels enjoyed 60 years of marriage until Walter's death in 2008.