Home Care In Kunkle, OH

Standing 6’ 4” 295 lbs., out of Windsor, Colo., Joey O’Connor was one of five offensive lineman recruits in the 2012 class. O’Connor was considered one of the top recruits in Penn State’s class before the scandal ripped the heart out of State College. Needing O-line depth, O’Connor visited Ohio State and committed shortly after. He took some time to talk to us before he left for Columbus.

How devastated were you by the Penn State scandal?

JO: It was tough. Decommitting was one of the toughest most heartbreaking decisions I have ever made. I was in shock when I first heard the news; then I was really hurt. Thankfully, I was focused on the season to win the Colorado State Championship, which helped take my mind off of this tragedy (O’Connor’s team ending up winning the state championship). Starting the recruiting process again was not easy but everything happens for a reason; don’t know why it happens but it happens for a reason.

After you committed to OSU, were there other schools that tried to flip you?

JO: Yes, Iowa and Cal were trying to get me to change my mind. Once I committed and took an official visit, I knew OSU is where I needed to be to start my college career.

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What attracted you to OSU?

JO: When I was looking at colleges, some guys love the state-of-the-art facilities, weight rooms, etc. These did not matter as much to me. I wanted to see the integrity of the coaches and tradition. The tradition of OSU is unbelievable. I love the Big Ten, its smash mouth style and I wanted to play in the Big Ten.

Coach Meyer and the rest of the staff are great people that do not think recruits are just pieces of meat. They care about our families and care about who were are as people - not just chess pieces they move to win football games.

Were you always into football?

JO: Actually, no, I played hockey for 11 years. I did play some football in middle school but it was mostly hockey. In high school, coaches thought I could do well at football so I started focusing more on football then.

Tell me about your hockey career?

JO: I was bigger than most kids and would have families yell at me for fear that I would hurt their child. I was almost always the biggest player on the ice. I was so big, I needed to bring my birth certificate with me to prove I was as old as I was! Police have escorted me off the ice due to parents heckling and wanting to fight my parents. When I was 15, they let me play with the 18-year-olds so I would not have such a size advantage.

Has hockey helped football?

JO: It has. In hockey, quick feet, being aggressive, the nastiness of being aggressive, helping people up after the whistle blows, all are necessities that have helped me with football. I played defense in hockey so I developed the instinct to help me protect the goalie. This mindset is very helpful when playing on the O-line.

Will this years O-line recruits stack up to the past?Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Did people like Camren Williams, Noah Spence and Tommy Schutt recruit you?

JO: I went to PSU camps last summer and Camren Williams was there and we talked. He and I clicked and talk quite a bit. Camren talked to me a little bit and he told me that he saw a lot of things he loved at PSU that he sees at OSU. He helped me as he took more visits but once I went to OSU, it sealed the deal. Tommy Schutt and I talked, he also said OSU has similar things that PSU had to offer.

What is Ed Warinner like?

JO: Great guy, all about family and wants to coach. He is a visual learner like me, so it is easy for me to receive his instruction. He loves to coach and has to see things and how they are done before you do them. We hit it off and we talk to each other once a week. He cares about his players.

OSU fans have recently been disappointed by a couple of decommitments while also missing on prospects like Ethan Pocic and Jaylon Smith. Michigan is also up to 21 commitments and current No. 1 class. What would you say to Buckeye Nation to help comfort them?

JO: I feel like coach Meyer and OSU is the best coaching staff around. They want the best players but also the right players, not just the most athletic but also the right type of person on and off the field. The coaches will put the best team together, I have no doubts.

Have you watched or seen film of any of your fellow offensive line commits of the 2012 class? Who most impresses you?

JO: I know Taylor Decker the most - we did our official visit together, and he went early in spring and has been telling me what it is like. He works really hard. I am excited to get to know what the other linemen are like.

What position do the coaches say you will play?

JO: Center and guard. I have been working on snapping the ball. But I will play wherever they need me. If they want me to kick, I will kick.

What will your major be?

JO: As of now, Criminal Justice.

Thank you Joey for your time. We look forward to watching you on the field the next four years and wish you the best of luck.

Michael Chung is a Correspondent for Bleacher Report, Sports-at-Work and Silver Bullet. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand or from official interview materials.

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Finance and business analytics major Edward Kunkel is headed to New York City to work in sales and trading at Bank of America.

We sat down (virtually) with Edward to hear about his experience at Ohio University and his post-graduation plans. Read the Q&A below to learn about how he spent his time at OHIO!

What did you study at Ohio University?

I majored in finance and business analytics. I’ve always been interested in financial markets and understanding the different pieces that affect markets. Studying finance allowed me to understand the different working parts of a business and different financial markets, while my business analytics co-major offered a more quantitative side that would boost my credentials.

Whatorganizations were you involved in at Ohio University?

I was president of Ohio University Fixed Income Management Group and vice president of the Financial Management Association. My experience in both organizations was vital to my development and eventually landing my dream job. The Fixed Income Management Group pushed me to my potential both in and out of the classroom, and also connected me with some of my closest friends here. I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without either organization.

Did you have any internships? Explain your internship experience(s).

As a freshman, I interned with Quake Capital in venture capital in New York City. As a sophomore, I interned with PNC in asset management in Columbus. As a junior, I interned with Bank of America in sales and trading in New York City, where I actually accepted a full-time job offer.

Working on Wall Street comes with lofty expectations, but I know at every point that I’m surrounded by a team of people that wants me to succeed. The fast-paced, competitive environment suited my skill set greatly and knowing that each day is different on the trading floor really excites me. I’m grateful to have two incredible mentors and a great group of people to work with. I’m also grateful to use my past few internships as learning points for younger students in the Fixed Income Management Group and the College of Business.

What is your favorite memory from being a student in the College of Business?

One of my favorite memories is pulling all-nighters with my investment team in the Fixed Income Management Group to have the most prepared and in-depth investment pitch to present.

What are you most grateful for about your time at OHIO/in the College of Business?

I’m most grateful for the friendships I’ve made in the College of Business and in the Fixed Income Management Group and being pushed to reach my full potential.

Is there a particular course, organization, event, professor, etc. that really impacted you during your time at OHIO?

Every course and professor impacted me in different ways, but professors that really challenged me and made a big impact on my experience here are Dr. Kelley Bergsma, Dr. Sinan Gokkaya, and Dr. David Stowe.

What do you think was your greatest accomplishment as a college student?

My greatest accomplishments are landing a full-time opportunity to work on Wall Street and helping others in my investment group achieve their goals.

What is your favorite thing about Athens/what will you miss the most?

My favorite thing about Athens is the community and overall friendliness of the people.

What will you be doing after graduation? What are you most looking forward to about starting your career?

I will be in sales and trading at Bank of America in New York, New York. I’m most excited to be surrounded by likeminded people who are ambitious and competitive.

What is one skill or concept you developed in the College of Business that you will apply to your future job and beyond?

The importance of building a strong network is something I will apply to my career and life.

If you could give current or future Ohio University students one piece of advice, what would it be?

Enjoy your time at Ohio University, but make sure you prioritize what it is you want to get out of your experience here. Talk to alumni, find out what interests you, make a plan of action, and work hard to get to your end goal. Expect to make sacrifices and work hard, even if not everyone around you is doing the same.

LIFT STATION … This new little building in Kunkle will be doing a big job as once the system is up and running, the sewage will be directed there before going to the lagoons on the north end of town. (PHOTOS BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)

By: Rebecca Miller

Driving into the tiny town of Kunkle, Ohio is a little harder at present, September 2021, as the main streets are still all torn up from the major sewer project that is happening.

Not only are the streets torn up, but every single yard looks like giant moles attacked the town.

Back in March of this year, in an update on the Kunkle Sewer Collection System project, Williams County Engineer Todd Roth explained to Kunkle residents that clear through to the end of 2021, their village would be a site of major construction.

The Underground Utilities, Inc. contractor began work in the middle of March, starting on Oak St. and Pleasant St., north of Angola St., and then on Angola St. as well.

“The main lines in the road right of ways will be constructed first over the next few months and then the service lines will be connected to each home at a later date,” Roth said in the letter.

That later date has come and gone, thus causing the look of a giant mole attack to the eighty or ninety homes and other buildings there.

The promise that traffic would be maintained and all residents would have continuous access to their property has been kept.

It may not be pretty right now, but the knowledge that their own Sewer System should be up and running soon has to give some consolation to the residents.

The lagoon is half full of water presently and has to be full before it can go operational. There are actually two initial lagoons and then a larger pond for settlement before discharge.

While the roads were torn up and lines were being laid and connected, two other major pieces of the project were also being constructed. The Kunkle Sewer Treatment Lagoon was leveled out, and fenced in, on the north side of the Angola St. Railroad Crossing.

The farm that had been there was torn down, a huge lot was made and the fencing was all put up around the Lagoon. In town, the Lift Station to which all the sewage is directed from the Collection System under the roads, has also been built, in the Oak and Church St. location which was determined for that purpose.

From a phone interview with County Engineer, Todd Roth, the current status on the project is that they are waiting on approval form ODNR and the EPA for the three Lagoons before they can put them in operation.

There is a start up date for the pump/lift station for the second week of September, and once those two are done they can start making the connections at the houses to the collection system. They need more water in the Lagoons, Roth said, and the lagoons are in the hands of the ODNR and EPA.

A date for completion cannot be estimated until that approval is given. Roth said the village residents have been very patient with the project.

They will be paving Pleasant and Angola Streets soon, as the trenches are already covered, and the paving is the next step for the streets. Things should start getting cleaned up soon, also.

They have a progress meeting the second week of September with the contractors and all parties involved to try to set a game plan for the end of the project.

The collection system is in place, so the connections to the houses have to be completed and the cleanup has to be done at each building, after the final operation is ok’d for the lagoons.

When it is all completed, the village will have their own sewer system and beautiful new roads, as well as cleaned up yards, so, Kunkle residents, hang in there, it is coming.

Rebecca can be reached at [email protected]

STRIPES MARK NEW BEGINNING … The trenches have been dug and covered, pipes laid and new curbs put in as this project had many different aspects that had and still have to be done before it is complete.

Spinal cord compression is often missed in seniors. But when a previously active and healthy Janet Kunkle turned up at UCI Medical Center with no feeling from the waist down, doctors considered all possible causes and treatments, including spine surgery.

At age 80, Janet Kunkle still tackled the household chores, even cleaning the rain gutters from atop a tall ladder.

Suddenly, what began as numbness in Kunkle’s toes quickly progressed to the loss of all sensation below her waist. She couldn’t stand let alone walk on her own.

Could being wheelchair-bound and living in a nursing home be far behind, she thought.

Severe spine compression

“I was in trouble and I knew it,” says Kunkle. “I wasn’t fully capable of taking care of myself.”

Dissatisfied with the slow pace of diagnosis at a community hospital, Kunkle and her daughter, Cherie Turner, contacted UCI Medical Center in Orange and were advised to get to the emergency department right away.

They were met by a team of physicians, including UCI Health neurosurgeon and spine specialist Dr. Michael Oh, who quickly determined that a spinal disc had slipped or collapsed, causing a severe compression of the spinal cord, a condition called myelopathy.

Missed in older patients

“They said it was literally crushing her spine,” recalls Turner, adding that immediate surgery was advised.

“I thought ‘immediately’ meant in the near future — because hospitals don’t usually treat anything that urgently. But they really meant immediately, like now.”

Myelopathy is often missed in older patients due to their age and other accompanying health concerns, says Oh, a member of the UCI Health Comprehensive Spine Program.

For example, many seniors with bowel and bladder issues are referred for nutritional counseling or other specialties — leaving the root cause, spinal cord compression, undetected, Oh says.

“Physicians usually don’t approach these types of symptoms in older patients through the lens of either neurosurgery or orthopedics,” Oh says. “But as an academic medical institution, UCI Health is less biased and more open to different possibilities.

“That is one of our many strengths. Whether we’re your first choice or your last hope, we’re here for you no matter your age.”

Surgery to relieve spine pressure

Oh proposed a thoracic laminectomy and transpedicular discectomy. The procedure involves removing a section of the bone over the spinal cord, allowing access to any protruding and damaged nerves in order to alleviate pressure on the spine.

“Even with the best surgery, things can go wrong,” he cautions. “But if you start with the wrong diagnosis, even the best surgery won’t be effective.”

In fact, Kunkle had had spine surgery five years earlier at another hospital.

“They nicked her spinal cord, and she had a cerebral spine fluid leak,” Turner recalls. “It was supposed to be an overnight stay. She ended up in ICU in excruciating pain for over a week.”

Calming fears

Kunkle was understandably worried given her past experience.

“Dr. Oh talked to me before the surgery and explained everything that was going to happen," she says. "He made me feel like I had nothing to worry about.”

At the pre-operative check-in, everyone on Oh's neurosurgical team introduced themselves to Kunkle and her daughter. “It felt more like a social event, which put us all at ease,” Turner recalls.

Oh and his team were also realistic and cautious in explaining what Kunkle could expect, saying that the objective of the surgical procedure was to prevent further damage to her spine.

“They told us they could not guarantee that it would reverse the damage that had already occurred,” Turner says.

After the three-hour procedure, Oh told Turner and other waiting family members that the surgery had gone well and that he had “very high expectations that some of the damage could be reversed.”

Walking again

Within six weeks after surgery, Kunkle was walking on her own, undergoing follow-up care and physical therapy under the direction of Dr. David Majors and the UCI Health Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services team.

“He’s a star, too,” beams Kunkle. “And so is his staff. I can walk. I can feel my legs. I can feel my abdomen. That’s major.”

She was able to recover comfortably in her Santa Ana residence of more than 40 years — not in a nursing home as she had feared. She’s able to garden, shop with her daughter and generally enjoy life.

She does, however, leave the rain gutter cleaning and ladder-climbing to others.

“I truly believe everyone here at UCI saved my life,” she says. “They gave me back my life.”

MANSFIELD - These real estate transactions were recorded in Richland County between July 12 and July 16:

87 W. Fourth St., Mansfield; Jon Allen Squires to Keller Williams Lifestyle Group LLC; $56,500

834 Lexington Ontario Road, Mansfield; Peter and Margo Emau to Meredith I. and Mark P. Meftah; $325,000

1991 Windsor Road (two parcels), Mansfield; Equity Trust Company, as custodian FBO David Kunkle IRA 50% and Equity Trust Company, as custodian FBO Jodine Kunkle IRA 50% (parcel one) and Equity Trust Company, as custodian FBO David Kunkle IRA 50% undivided interest and Equity Trust Company, as custodian FBO Jodine Kunkle IRA 50% undivided interest (parcel two), to Amber R. Jones; $105,000

1993 Teakwood Drive, Ontario; Teakwood Properties LLC to Ronald Michael and Christine Ann Jordanek, co-trustees of The Jordanek Family Living Trust; $205,600

693 McPherson St., Mansfield; Brian Mock to Tien F. and Yun I. Chang; $30,000

5941 Ankneytown Road, Bellville; Stephanie Ann and Lowell Thomas Crabtree Jr. to John S. Dilts, guardian of Cheryl A. Kemp; $285,000

20 Steele Ave., Shelby; Mabel Shepherd to Daisy Ward and Isaac Brooks; $88,500

One parcel on Hulit Road, Mansfield; Tom P. Vasiliadis to Jamie and Darla Schiro; $55,000

1976 Hulit Road, Mansfield, Tom P. Vasiliadis to James E. and Tiffanie L. Kitts; $165,900

1887 August Drive (two parcels), Ontario; Kayla R. Cochran, nka Kayla R. Passet, joined by David Russell Passet, to Larkin Street Homes LLC; $191,000

1135 McMillen Road, Shiloh; Larry E. and Peggy S. Briggs to Christopher A. and Kelly A. Smith; $21,500

908 Lincoln Terrace Drive, Mansfield; Jason D. Dean, by Private Selling Officer (PSO), to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.; $51,600

55 Maple Lane, Ontario; Aaron K. Huml to Naomi R. and Michael J. Wells; $205,000

One parcel on Beal Road, Mansfield; Michael Wayne Stigall, successor trustee of The Lewis H. Stigall Trust, to William A. and Karen S. Estep; $80,000

163 Beelman St., Plymouth; Elbert Joe McClenan to Albert L. and Melody L. Burton; $35,000

3210 Ohio 96, Shelby; Michael A. and Tricia A. Carroll to Rebecca L. Wheeler; $425,000

2970 Moffett Road, Lucas; Josh Denman to Zachary and Tabitha McDonald; $126,000

208 Blymyer Ave. and 235-237 Glessner Ave., Mansfield; Joshua L. and Jennifer Lynn Hockman to Clearview Investments LLC; $69,900

20-28 Helen Ave., Mansfield; Leecrest Holdings LLC to Brandon Hopkins; $275,000

980 Burkwood Road, Mansfield; Gregory L. Hail, trustee of The Hail Family Revocable Living Trust, to Matney Property Development LLC; $110,000

220 Blymyer Ave., Mansfield; Nicholas A. Boiler to Alina Davidovich; $75,000

215 Lasalle St., Mansfield; Daniel J. Kraska to Vickie L. Wise; $117,000

119 Lilac Court West, Mansfield; Donnie L. Hankins to Britny Nicole and Ryan Patrick Queen; $110,000

763 Bowman St. (three parcels), Mansfield; Roman Johnson to P&F Financial Service LLC; $135,000

1508 W. Hanley Road, Mansfield; Cory M. and Abby L. Craig (wtta Abby L. Parnell) to Samantha N. Croskey and Edward D. Teeters II; $170,000

Two parcels (66,356 acres) on Poorman Road, Bellville; Bernard R. Davis to Killbuck Valley Farms Ltd.; $475,000

217 Coul St., Mansfield; Lance A. Talley to Antonia Vasquez; $3,000

778 Mansfield Lucas Road, Mansfield; Lola J. Calderhead to Joseph C. Cash Jr. and Taryn E. Cash, trustees of The Joseph C. Cash Jr. and Taryn E. Case Revocable Trust Agreement; $130,000

565 Townview Circle East, 768-770 and 778 Millsboro Road, 990 Briarwood Road, 812 Rockwell Road Mansfield and 2084 W. Fourth St., Ontario; Montana Dreams LLC to Dream Huge Realty LLC; $844,000

565 Townview Circle East, 768-770 and 778 Millsboro Road, 990 Briarwood Road, 812 Rockwell Road Mansfield and 2084 W. Fourth St., Ontario; Kim A. Foster, trustee of The Kim A. Foster Trust, to Dream Huge Realty, LLC; $844,000

144 Otterbein Drive, Lexington; Raymond G. and Jennifer R. Hoskins to Olga M. Starr; $240,000

221 S. Mulberry St., Mansfield; M&T Skyes Properties LLC to Dora Barnett; $65,000

29 Williams Court, Shelby; Kimberly M. Marett to Tanner A. Slone and Kaylin D. Studer; $111,000

124 Rambleside Drive (two parcels), Mansfield; Charleen E. McCauley to William D. Smith; $100,000

1025 Pearce Drive, Mansfield; Wanda L. Newcomb to Tenrab LLC; $202,000

42 Plum Ave., Shelby; Edwin L. Tharp to Colleen Sergent; $129,900

41 Church St., Bellville; Benjamin and Denise Bethea to Nathan H. and Natalie J Gailey; $154,900

959 Lexington Ontario Road, Mansfield; Amy Stewart, trustee, to Eric T. and Alyssa K. Biddle; $325,000

943 Burger Ave., Mansfield; Estate of Mona F. Lewis, et al. to Megan D. Lewis; $60,000

499 Dyas Drive, Mansfield; Michael T. Kolmansberger to Ronald E. L. and Barbara A. Duncan; $104,500

63 W. Cook Road, Mansfield; Melvin Zehner to Bel Kay LLC; $60,000

1704 Bowers Road, Lexington; James R. Oberlin, Elizabeth P. Oberlin and Hannah G. Oberlin to David A. Murphy Jr.; $83,500

3567 Amoy Ganges Road, Mansfield; John K. and Denise K. McCarron to David Z. and Sandra N. Burkholder, trustees; $880,000

1796 Lucas North Road, Lucas; Patricia A. Simmering to Jacob Hergatt; $185,000

232 Bowman St., Mansfield; Merlyn and Valerie E. Mulvane to Ryan Shaffer; $12,000

856 Home Road S. (two parcels), Mansfield; Aryn A. Kissinger to Edward L. and Kathleen M. Hurrell; $121,000

Two parcels (vacant lot) on South Main Street, Mansfield; Robert and Juanita Kilbane to Steven Owens; $72,500

127 Harvard Ave., Mansfield; Bryan A. Jones to Ashley Richie; $60,650

134 S. Main St., Butler; Dick A. and Kimberly A. Miller to Nathaniel V. and Britney C. Hess; $176,000

494 N. Stewart Road, Mansfield; Anna M. Harmon to Jonathan Roose and Angela Hale; $125,000

25 Seneca Drive, Shelby; Janet Ruth Bloom, aka Janet R. Bloom Estate, to Patrick K. and Michelle L. McLaughlin; $170,000

3500 Whitetail Drive E., Lexington; Steven R. and Renee C. Getz to Shawn M. Chitwood; $360,000

295 W. Broadway St., Plymouth; Adam Predieri to Johnnie C. Edwards III; $113,000

114 Gibson Ave., Mansfield; Kenneth L. and Linda A. Tomecko to Edward A. and Edith M. Buzzard; $86,000

100 Mill St., Lexington; R.E.F. Rentals LLC to Jacquelyn Ray Miller; $68,000

1210 Timbercliff Drive, Mansfield; Christopher T. and Wanda E. Nelson to Roy Steward; $196,000

547 Maple St., Mansfield; Nathaniel J. and Laura A. Meiers to Jodi L. Macy, Clinton Joseph Hibbs and Whitney Leah Hibbs; $130,000

163 Chilton Ave., Mansfield; Karen L. Jennings and Ernest R. Berentz to Wilma Lee Husk; $65,000

84 Foxcroft Road, Mansfield; 3rd Day LLC to Charles A. and Jennifer N. Powell; $245,000

3606 Mary Lou Lane N., Mansfield; Paul J. Devore to Michael J. and Lisa K. Mullins; $155,000

One parcel (.300 acres) on East Main Street, Lexington; Walker Brothers Lexington LLC to Mid Ohio Hospitality LLC; $10,000

850-854 Lexington Ave., Mansfield; Calvin T. and Robin G. LaVigne to Gregory L. and Lynne M. Loesch; $150,000

2831 E. Smiley Ave., Shelby; Daniel J. and Amanda L. Miller to Samantha Dawn and Jerry W. Brown Jr.; $210,000

313 Chester Ave., Mansfield; Chris Hummel and Chelsea French to Richard Fraley Sr.; $8,000

2422 Peterson Road, Mansfield; Jacob Anthony Markie and Jared Andrew Markie to Mark L. Stamper; $25,000

3700 Mount Zion Road, Lucas; Joseph and Karen Morganstern, trustees, to Jacalyn N. and Taylor L. Iceman; $382,400