Frymier, Jack R. and Maxine C. Scholars Award Fund

Donor Fund Story:

Jack and Maxine were both born and raised in Noble County. Jack lived in the town of Albion, across from the high school. His parents were Gerald and Edith Frymier. There were three children in the family- Jack was the oldest, followed by sister, Barbara, and brother, Joe.

Maxine’s parents were Tom and Daisy Clouse. She was the youngest of six children. Her siblings were: Kenneth, Merry, Frank, Bill, and Emy Lou. Maxine grew up on a farm outside of town where Wayne (her nephew) and Debra Clouse now reside.

Jack and Maxine attended Albion High School together, both graduating in the class of 1943. Maxine was the salutatorian of the class. She then went on to attend the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Ft. Wayne, earning her R.N. degree. Jack had begun classes at Valparaiso University while still in high school. Following high school graduation he joined the Army, where he served in Europe. When he returned from the war in 1945 he started his schooling again, and then transferred to the Indiana University extension at Ft. Wayne where he completed his bachelor’s degree. Later he earned his masters at the University of Miami (FL) and then his doctorate at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1957.

The couple was married at Burr Oak Baptist Church on August 24, 1947. It was a very hot day. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Miami, Florida, which was the first of many moves around the country. Over the years they lived in three different cities in Florida, as well as in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska and Colorado. Jack and Maxine were blessed with three children – Jill, Kay, and Mark.

Maxine worked as a nurse in the early years of their marriage at the University of Miami and University of Florida infirmaries. Later, she devoted her energy to raising their three children. Jack was a professional educator. He started his career teaching chemistry, physical education, and history. Later he moved to teaching at the university level, and served as an Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Orange County (Orlando) Florida, then as the long-time Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Foundations at The Ohio State University. Jack was a nationally recognized expert in curriculum, motivation, and other areas of education. He presented and spoke across the country and around the world, conducted research, and was the author of numerous articles and books.

Maxine volunteered in various hospitals and helped with Blood Bank operations, while Jack volunteered with the Boy Scouts. They were active in the Methodist churches in the communities where they lived. Both Jack and Maxine tried to be decent people-responsible and kind. They sought to raise their children well, to help others, and to do good in the world.

Both Maxine and Jack appreciated Noble County. Maxine enjoyed growing up on a farm in Noble County. She loved roaming the fields, playing in the creek, and riding her horse, Smokey. Jack had the opportunity to play basketball and have a part in the school musical. He worked both before and after school, including holding jobs at Sorgenfrei’s grocery and at the local cemetery, where he mowed the grass. That work ethic stayed with him till the day he died.