BUSINESS OF THE YEAR … Seen in front of Unity Plumbing and Heating on January 23, 2021 when the business was given the 2020 Business of the Year award by the West Unity Chamber of Commerce, are from left to right, Aiden Funkhouser (grandson), (daughter in law) Stacie Funkhouser, (son) Stan Funkhouser, Business owners Michael and Vickie Funkhouser, Blake Funkhouser (grandson), Bailey Funkhouser Biddix (granddaughter) and Koby Biddix (grandson in law). Missing from the picture, of those who are involved with the business, is granddaughter Audrey Funkhouser who is currently serving with the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. (PHOTOS PROVIDED)
By: Rebecca Miller
Each year, the Chamber of Commerce in West Unity, Ohio has the pleasure of choosing a local business to be honored as Business of the Year and a citizen for Citizen of the Year.
Chamber President Anissa Meyers explained in a phone interview that the recipients are chosen based on their contributions to the community and how they have helped individuals and businesses throughout the year.
The chamber members look at who volunteers their time in the community and how they interact with the people of West Unity. The nominees for these awards are also recommended by people who know them and are impressed by their community spirit.
This year the 2020 awards were given around noon on Saturday, January 23, 2021. The Business of the Year Award was given to Mike and Vickie Funkhouser with Unity Plumbing and Heating and the Citizen of the Year Award went to Tim Scherer.
With just their families gathered at their businesses, the Chamber thanked them for what they do and honored them with these awards. Besides the Plaque and a Certificate, the recipients are given a Free One Year Membership to the Chamber of Commerce, where there are discounts for members with UPS, health insurance, office supplies and such.
On the Chamber Facebook page, it was explained that “Unity Plumbing and Heating was purchased in 1989 from Clell Short by the Funkhousers and has been family operated ever since, with the children, Stan, Brock (now in Palm Springs, California) and Andrew (now in Singapore) helping out when they were in high school.
Mike and Vicki brought on their oldest son, Stan, in 1998 shortly after he completed college. They strive to address their customers’ needs and do so with high quality work for a reasonable price.
It is not uncommon to see Mike or Stan’s van out after business hours to ensure their customers have heat when it is cold, along with other necessities such as water in their home. Unity Plumbing and Heating has helped the citizens of West Unity during trying times, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. The community is lucky to have Unity Plumbing and Heating and we look forward to many more years of service.”
Mike and Vicki are honored, Vicki said in a phone conversation, and appreciate the loyalty of the people in West Unity. They found out about the award about three weeks ago when WU Police Chief and Chamber member, JR Jones, stopped in.
Vicki added, “It was neat for us that Tim and Mike were both honored on the same year, because they are a lot alike in personality, not liking a lot of attention. We have worked with Tim for years, putting in the plumbing and HVAC in homes he has constructed and we are glad they were honored at the same time.”
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR … In the back row, from left to right at the awarding of West Unity Citizen of the Year to Tim Scherer, owner of Scherer Construction, are (son in law) JR Jones, (daughter) Heather Jones, Tim and wife Sheila, (daughter) Mandy and (son in law) Si King, with the much loved grandchildren in the front… Halle and Tessa Jones, Maci and Dane King. The 2020 award was given to Scherer by West Unity Chamber of Commerce members in front of the family business on Saturday, January 23, 2021.
Tim Scherer, owner and operator of Scherer Construction, is married to Sheila Cotter Scherer and has two children, Heather Scherer Jones and Mandy Scherer King, as well as four grandchildren…Halle, Tessa, Dane and Maci. Tim is the son of Leroy and Donna Scherer and has been a long time citizen of West Unity, graduating from Hilltop in 1978.
The Chamber post on FaceBook stated, “Sherer Construction is recognized by the community and Tim Scherer’s peers as a high quality and longtime successful business that shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon, fortunately enough for the citizens of our community.”
Tim was on the West Unity Village Council from 1996-2000 and “has always been willing to help when his community needs him, without needing to be thanked.” An example of his willingness to step up and help whenever there is a need was shown during a situation when the Methodist Church was struck by a car during the night.
He jumped in to assist with others, working hard to make sure that the church was safe until it could be repaired properly. Again from Facebook, “Over the years, Tim can always be found working to help others both for his business and outside his business for his friends. His family has found that the only thing that can pull Tim away from working is his grandchildren.”
Congratulations from The Village Reporter to the 2020 West Unity Citizen of the Year – Tim Scherer and the 2020 West Unity Business of the Year – Unity Plumbing and Heating!
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com