Clock dedication held for Wantuck and Cooksey
COSHOCTON – Classmates and friends gathered on the corner of Main and Hickory streets on Saturday, Dec. 15 to remember Cheryl Wantuck and Cheryl Cooksey with a clock dedication ceremony. Keith Peachey, pastor at Grace United Methodist Church, gave the prayer of dedication and the benediction.
“Both were born and raised in the city of Coshocton and both grew to be strong independent women,” said Barb Karr, president of Our Town Coshocton. “Both women shared love of this town and had a vision to see it prosper.”
Wantuck passed away on Feb. 6, 2016 and Cooksey followed on July 29, 2016. Our Town Coshocton installed the clock on May 30 in a special location. It is on the corner where Triplitt’s Pharmacy used to be and down the street from where Cooksey used to work.
“This clock was chosen as a lasting memory and a reminder that it is time, time to work together to revitalize Main Street,” said Karr. “If they are looking down on us from their eternal home, I believe they would be proud to see we are continuing their vision to revitalize downtown Coshocton.”
Our Town Coshocton Board of Directors presented the idea of erecting a clock to the city of Coshocton.
“As the city of Coshocton, we are delighted that this is a project that was thought of and it is a lasting memory to these two ladies,” said Mayor Steve Mercer.
Mercer said Wantuck and Cooksey were always coming into his office with ideas of ways to revitalize Coshocton.
“These are the kind of people who energize the community,” said Mercer.
The clock was manufactured by the Verdin Company out of Cincinnati, which is the same company that made the bell in the clock tower of the courthouse.
Charles Snyder gave a brief memorial to close the dedication ceremony.
“May this memorial clock be a reminder of them, as well as a challenge for us, to make the most of our time as we work together to carry on their efforts to make a positive difference here,” he said.
Becky Wunker, daughter of Wantuck, attended the ceremony and said the experience was bittersweet for her.
“I have mixed feelings,” she said. “It’s nice that the town recognizes her, but it’s sad she’s not here to see this happen. She loved this town.”
Category: People & Places
