The untiring efforts of the late Suzanne (Sickler) Ohl and her husband Paul in building and organizing the Tyrone Area Historical Society were recognized in a touching ceremony at the museum site at Rail Park Wednesday afternoon.
Greetings were extended by Richard Searer, a member of the board, followed by the presentation of a plaque in honor of the devotion and untiring work of the couple in promoting Tyrone.
Board president Nancy Smith spoke of the enormous amount of time and energy Suzanne devoted to organizing and building the society.
\”She spent countless hours doing all the ‘nitty-gritty’ work it takes to establish a society such as ours,\” she said.
“Suzanne did research, wrote articles, and created files for storing articles while corresponding with people who she felt should become part of our society.
“Through Suzanne\’s visits to the elementary school classes to familiarize young children with the history of Tyrone, we now have a walking tour for third graders as well as a walking tour pamphlet for visitors to our community to become familiar with what we have here,” said Smith. “Suzanne regularly wrote newsletters as well as historical articles for The Daily Herald.”
Smith spoke of how Suzanne collected photos and other artifacts that helped tell the Tyrone story; hence, the Tyrone History Museum has become a reality.
She added, “We are also pleased that the borough offered this wonderful facility to house the museum.
“Suzanne and Paul helped lay a very firm foundation upon which we could, and will, continue to grow, and this beautiful plaque we unveil today serves as a reminder of their love and devotion to this town they called home,” she concluded.
Harry K. Sickler, Jr., a brother of Suzanne\’s, unveiled the plaque. He thanked the board for the honor they bestowed upon his sister and husband. Struck with emotions, he thanked the board for all the nice comments they made.
He continued, \”Even though she died this past January, she really died when she could no longer do the work she loved to do for the society. She suffered for a lot of years, but the big suffering was more physical than what was on her mind, due to the fact that she could no longer do the things she loved to do.
“The other thing that I am so proud of is the fact that the organization gets stronger and stronger,\” Sickler said, “and it will reflect and carry on with the telling of the history of our town thanks to the goodness of you people.”
Also making remarks were Mayor Pat Stoner and James Glenn. The Historical Society hosted the event, and refreshments were served.
The eldest of six children, Suzanne was born September 11, 1923 in Tyrone, the daughter of Harry Kerbaugh Sickler Sr. and his wife the former Margaret Isabel \”Belle\” McNelis. The young couple bought what became the Sickler home at 315 Washington Avenue the year Suzanne was born. It has remained in the family ever since and Harry Jr., and Delores have called it home for many years where they too have raised their family.
When she was nine, Suzanne\’s mother died from the flu with baby Margaret only three months old. However, in that short time, Suzanne had learned from her mother that the children and family unit was the most important possessions in life.
Belle\’s sister Rosemary \”Jane\” McNelis moved into the home to take care of the children. Aunt Jane kept the family together making the children her first priority while their father traveled throughout the week in his job. At the time of her father\’s death in December of 1944, Suzanne was teaching at Tyrone High School. Aunt Jane was still in the Sickler home raising the younger children.
This experience at such a young age left a lasting impression on Suzanne who later assumed similar experiences in keeping her sister Billy\’s family together. Agnes Kathryn, who was nicknamed Billy, upon graduating from high school had married James C. Glenn of Tyrone who was serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. While residing in California the Glenn\’s had seven children. James died in January of 1958. When Billy died six years later, Suzanne was living in an apartment in New Jersey at the time where she was teaching.
She then moved into a house to become \”mother\” to her sister\’s family. After all her family was grown, Suzanne married her dear friend of many years, Paul Ohl on July 30, 1976.
The Ohl\’s did a bit of traveling and after retiring moved to Tyrone. It was here that Suzanne really became active in learning all she could about the history of Tyrone as well as the lives of people who lived here. Quite often people would find Suzanne buried among newspapers at The Daily Herald digging up background of everything about the town as well as its people.
Soon Suzanne was known throughout the area and beyond as her inquiries continued to grow to learn all she could of the history and people who call this area “home”.
Paul was always her study companion, and often her legs, as her efforts continued on being on the move.
Both Paul and Suzanne are gone now, but their love for this community and the people who live here, is just sprouting as others attempt to carry on.
Also, baby brother Harry has been a contributor to the efforts of his sister and the well being of the Tyrone Area Historical Society.
