It Happened in Crawford County: Wanda Sharrock's journey to Bucyrus and back again

Wanda Sharrock is a daughter of Mary and Howard Williams. When Mary’s first husband, Wanda’s father, passed away, she married George Quesinberry. Wanda’s brother, Larry’s story, was featured last week and their sister is Darlene Sulser.

The family moved from West Virginia when Wanda was in the fourth grade at a one-room school. She was scared to death for the transition to this big Bucyrus School. She loved school, especially math, and didn’t miss a day until in high school when her dad passed away. She was a cheerleader, she played volleyball and basketball and was president of the Girl’s Athletic Association (GAA).

She graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1964 and started working in the payroll department at Swan Rubber. After a year, she and her friend told Fred Ward, CEO and president, they couldn’t live on 75 cents an hour. He helped to get them into Timken at $2.35 an hour.

Wanda had been dating Ken Sharrock for six years until they married in 1966. He was a deputy sheriff and also a 1958 graduate of BHS. Ken’s father, Clair, was a mayor of Bucyrus and his mother, Evelyn, was a teacher and very active in the community.

After Wanda and Ken’s marriage, he ran for sheriff but lost his bid and enrolled at OSU, majoring in political science and graduating in 1970. They moved to Toledo where Ken started law school. Wanda had worked to pay the bills when he was in college and law school. Ken graduated in 1973 and entered a private practice with three friends.

Now it was Wanda’s turn so she enrolled at the university to begin her studies. Wanda graduated in 1979, receiving a bachelor of science in health education. Ken and Wanda’s life in Toledo was a whirlwind of events from the time they moved there in the fall of 1970, including the birth of three children. After graduation, Wanda took a job as director at Senior Center Inc., part of a government group. She loved it.

Back to Bucyrus

Besides Ken’s private practice, he was also hired at Lucas County Children Services as their legal director. They ended their stay in Toledo in 1984 and moved back to Bucyrus. Ken opened his private practice in Mr. Picking’s old house on Rensselaer Street. Wanda took a job as director of the Seneca County Commission on Aging and was grandfathered in as a social worker by the State of Ohio.

Wanda left the job with Seneca County in 1986 to join Crawford County Job and Family Services (JFS). She began working in the old JFS located next door to Geyer’s Grocery on Hopley Avenue. Later, JFS began building on North Cove Boulevard across from Kroger. The Crawford County commissioners were her bosses, and Wanda worked with the architects on the floor plans, making room for the staff and easy access for clients.

When JFS moved in the spring of 1990 it was a hectic time. The entire staff pitched in and moved everything in their own cars to their cubicles. At that time, the Sheriff’s Office had a work release program and the “trustees" helped move things. From the time JFS made this big move until the present, this facility has worked very well.

Ken was elected judge of Municipal Court in 1990. He served one term and was not re-elected in 1996. Ken passed away in May 1996. They had one son in medical school, one daughter in college and one daughter in high school at the time of his death.

Children Services was a separate board, but the Crawford County commissioners decided to dissolve the board and give that department to JFS in 2003. It was still housed at the old Children’s Home in Galion where the Administrative Building and Keller Hall were located. Wanda and staff then worked at the two locations. Keller Hall was a facility for older children placed there by the court system.

There were staff there 24/7, and during that time Wanda was often called to Galion to try to work out the problems at all hours. Due to the cost of running this facility and low numbers of residents, the commissioners closed Keller Hall and relied on the good foster homes in the county to give these youth a better “home environment” arrangement.

Wanda retired from the job April 30, 2006, recalling it was a very interesting, challenging and rewarding 18 years. She enjoyed the work and says you need a lot of compassion and empathy for your fellow man working with families who have met hard times and trying to get them back on their feet.

Many individuals came in for help due to their disabilities, and she and her staff worked to get them to get on other government programs. Her staff was comprised of over 100 dedicated and caring people, and they always tried to help their clients.

Look for the second part of Ken and Wanda Sharrock’s story next week.

Go online for more of Mary Fox’s stories and photos on bucyrustelegraphforum.com. If you are interested in sharing a story, write Mary Fox, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 or email littlefoxfactory@columbus.rr.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Wanda Sharrock and her leadership role in Crawford County-bucyrus-