02/01/2011

Meet the Candidates

North and Southwest Regional Director Elections

North Regional Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benjamin R. Easterling, Jr., Swigart-Easterling Funeral Home, Canal Fulton, OH  44614

Education: Barberton City Schools (1955-1968)

                  University of Kentucky (1968-1972

                   Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (1975-1976)

Employment:  Babcock & Wilcox Company  (1973-1975)

                        Campfield Hickman Collier Funeral Home, Barberton,OH   (1973-1978)

                        Swigart-Easterling Funeral Home, Canal Fulton,OH (1978 – present) **

                             ** Owner & Licensed Funeral Director & Embalme

Activities and Memberships:  

Member Legacy Christian Church, Clinton, OH

Past President (10 years) & Current member Northwest Touchdown Club

Past President & Current member Canal Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce

Past President & Current member (+Paul Harris Fellow) Canal Fulton Rotary

Current member of the Canal Fulton Library Board

 Former member of the United Way Board of Western Stark County

 Former member of the Northwest Stark Senior Citizens Center, Canal Fulton,OH

 Former member of numerous levy committees with the Northwest Local Schools

 Member of Community Advisory Board: Affinity Medical Center, Massillon, OH

 Member of National #568 F & AM and Portage Chapter #202 RAM (Barberton)

 Member OFDA and NFDA

 Officer with OFDA #16: Secretary Treasurer 2003-2005; Vice President 2005-2007;

                                           President 2007- 2009

North Regional Director OFDA: 2009 – present

Member of OFDA Legislative Committee and Membership Committee

His family includes wife Belinda (Case) Easterling; sons Christopher (Stefanie) and J. R. (Tara); and two grand children, Brianna and Dylan

 

 

Southwest Regional Director
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shane C. Smith, L. Eugene Smith & Son Funeral Home

I would be honored to be considered for the position of Southwest Regional Director.  I am a third generation funeral director and embalmer serving in Wilmington and New Vienna, Clinton County, Ohio.  I became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 2001 after graduating from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.  I am also a graduate of Wilmington College.  I have been President of OFDA District 11 for the past four years, a privilege for which I am grateful. I am a member of Bible Baptist Church of Wilmington.  I have been married for 16 years and the father of six children.

My father, James E. Smith, served OFDA for many years, and I wish to continue that heritage of service. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lori Ann (Banasiak) Hicks, Baker-Stevens Funeral Home

I am currently seeking the position of Southwest Regional Director for the Ohio Funeral Directors Association.  As I ask for your vote in this election, I felt it important to take the time to tell you a little bit about myself. 

Married for almost 12 years, my husband and I enjoy spending time camping and boating on the Ohio River East of the Meldahl Dam.  As a member of Kiwanis, I look forward to going to local schools to read to young children as part of the “Imagination Library” and participating in the BUG (Bring Up Grades) program awarding Jr. School students with certificates and celebrations as encouragement to work hard.  

While I attended Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, I served as Lab Assistant and Class Representative.  In the spring of 1997, I graduated fourth in my class, Cum Laude, also receiving the Charles O. Dhonau award.  I have had the pleasure to meet many members of District V in Cincinnati while I worked with Don and Beverly Good at Elden A. Good Funeral Home in Cincinnati.  This is where I believe a strong foundation to a wonderful career was built.  In November of 2000, Pam Parramore welcomed me on board at Baker-Stevens-Parramore Funeral Home.  Under her management, she has allowed me build upon that foundation and has been an encouragement to me as I took on the role of District IV President.  Serving OFDA in this capacity over the last five years has allowed me the opportunity to make many friends not only within the district but at the state level while attending the board meetings regularly and attending the annual conventions. 

As Regional Director, I would be provided with the opportunity to have further interactions with the OFDA Executive Committee and allowed to attend monthly meetings in Columbus.  By attending the meetings, I would be able to bring back pertinent information to the districts on a timely matter.  My goal, if elected, is to increase the associations’ awareness as to what OFDA is currently working on or doing to help their members. 

I look forward to meeting and developing friendships with the members of the southwest districts.