The Orlan and Iona Hines Foundation

The Foundation funds community improvement projects in Ashville in honor of Orlan and Iona Hines.  The Ashville Area Heritage Society’s Display Board Collection was a gift from that Foundation.  The current 133 displays in the collection are designed to honor past achievements and to challenge residents (young and old) to reach for their dreams, just as others before them have done.  The displays teach us that small rural towns are not devoid of achievement and culture. 

Orlan Hines came from meager beginnings, growing up on a small truck farm in Scioto Township.  He was stricken by polio at the age of nine, but he had the will to succeed and to be a contributor to society.  Well-liked and community-minded, Orlan became Acting Postmaster and later as Vice President at The Ashville Bank.  He was elected to several terms as a Teays Valley School Board Member and served as president of the Ashville Community Men’s Club.  Orlan was active in the First English Lutheran Church and the Ashville Businessperson’s Association.

Iona Hines was born Iona Lucille Wollam, in Plain City, Ohio.  She had an early interest in aviation and flew at a very young age (against her parents wishes).  She was active in women’s sports.  She worked at Reynolds Aluminum in Ashville and served as Treasurer of the First English Lutheran Church.  Iona was on the Pickaway County Board of Elections and served as President of the Ashville Area Heritage Society. 

Orlan and Iona met at Curtis Wright Aviation where they were spot welders during World War II.  They raised 3 boys—Bob, John and Bill.