When we moved here, Kearns was just starting her career in political office. She had been a county commissioner from 1981 to 1990 and had just been appointed to the Ohio Senate in 1991, right before we arrived.
Over the years I had met my share of politicians in the eight states we had been stationed in before returning to Ohio. Nothing had prepared me for the day I met Merle Kearns in the parking lot beside Knob Prairie Church.
She introduced herself and asked if I knew the location of an event she was trying to find. I didn’t (after all, I was new here), but we still had a lovely conversation. She smiled all the time and reminded me of one of my aunts. When she discovered I was new, she welcomed me to the area and gave me her card.
I assumed she was a local business woman. She told me to call her if I had questions. Later I was shocked to look at her card and learn she was an Ohio State Senator. I could not imagine a senator taking time to just chat with a new resident.
The lady continued to impress me. She always remembered my name and, from what I soon learned, had the respect of most of the community. Kearns loved local history and was so excited at the dedication of the Heritage Center of Clark County. I got to know her professionally when I began to work in the newspaper business, and I remember her passion for empowering advanced practice nurses. She was very enthusiastic about it.
Stopping by her house to pick up information, I was always amazed to find a senator who lived just like the rest of us. One evening she was warming up leftovers when I stopped by.
There are probably some who can talk of partisan stories, but I saw none of it. I saw a lady who loved the members of her community and worked for what they needed.
Kearns was a Republican, but I knew Democrats who thoroughly respected her. She truly did try to represent every one of those she served and we all got to enjoy her cheerful demeanor. I found myself hoping she would move up to Washington D.C., but that was not to be.
Kearns moved on to the Ohio House of Representatives from 2001-05. Then she worked for the Agency on Aging for a couple of years before a private retirement out of town. I remember being happy to hear she was elected to the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. She so deserved it.
As a woman I am proud of Senator Kearns, who with hard work and sincere friendliness earned every political position she ever held. Her impact on the health care system made it better for all of us for years to come.
As a mother, I want the younger generation of women to remember that her service was made possible by women’s suffrage in 1920. We can never let that be diminished. And I hope Kearns’ work paves the way for more women to run for office.
Finally as a local resident, I’m particularly proud Kearns came from our end of the county. She was our county commissioner, our state senator and our state representative, but she was also our neighbor and friend.
Merle Kearns was one of us and she will be missed.
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