Ople Dundon, an Enon resident since 1954, chose the village to reside in when she and her late husband, Warren, worked at Wright Patterson AFB, Nick Thornton, Dundon’s grandson said.
The couple met at a local store in New Holland where Warren was helping load Dundon’s groceries. They were married for 68 years until Warren passed away in 2014 at 93, Thornton said.
He said his grandmother worked at Wright Patterson AFB for a short time in the dispensary at the infirmary.
After her three daughters were all in school, Thornton said she returned to work at Morningstar Chrysler in Fairborn and then at the Greene County Title Bureau where she retired in 1986.
On Saturday, Howard presented the proclamation to Dundon at her home. He said he wished he would have talked to her longer, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the visit was cut short.
“Anytime we have the opportunity to recognize somebody for something like that I think it’s really important that we do that," Howard said. "It was a real pleasure to meet her. She was a real gem. Just a nice lady with a very sharp mind.”
For her birthday, Thornton said the family usually celebrates with a family get together where she receives cards and flowers. This year, her family will wear masks when they visit with her, he said.
Thornton said his grandmother has taught the family the importance of kindness, respect, love and taking care of each other.
“She has always held the family together," Thornton added.
He said that Dundon enjoys getting her hair done, gardening and feeding the neighborhood cats that frequent her house.
“I think it’s a great accomplishment that she has lived to be this old," Thornton said.
Howard said Dundon is “a really special lady."
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