Kenneth Ault

WAYNE -- Kenneth E. Ault "Gene", age 82, of Wayne, Ohio passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at his home. He was born on July 3, 1943, in Fostoria, Ohio to the late Joseph Kenneth & Thelma E. (Rothenbuhler) Ault.

Ken always liked to tell people how to remember his name, he would say his name is Ault rhymes with salt and if you can't remember it's not his fault, he was a poet and didn't know it till he looked at his feet and they showed it like Longfellow.

Ken graduated from Elmwood High School where he was known for the way he played the base drum in the band. After graduation he started college and then got drafted into the Army where he was a Crypto Accountant, after the service he finished college and got his teaching degree. He taught school for a short time, then worked at Allied Signal, formerly known as Honeywell, and continued to substitute teach for a while.

He married Regina Suter and later divorced, they had two children, Jeffery and Michelle. He later married Doreen K. Lindley on May 17, 1986.

Ken got interested in fixing up houses and renting them out, this and his job kept him very busy, but he was still wanting to do more. Ken wore many hats in his life; he liked getting involved in the community and politics.

In his spare time, he got involved with the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department and was a member of the Wayne Village Council, this got him started with his political and community involvements.

He left Village Council and ran for Township Trustee. Ken was a trustee for Montgomery Township for four terms and was elected for Democratic Central Committeeman. He was on the Wood County School Board, Northwest Ohio School Board, State Auditors Advisory Board, Wood County Health Advisory Board, Wood County Emergency Management, Wood County Historical Board, Boy Scout Commissioner, Habitat for Humanity, member of Otterbein Nursing Home Board, Board for Committee on Aging, was a US Army Reserve Ambassador for State of Ohio, and later became an Ambassador Emeritus for State of Ohio. He was also a member of the Albert Bowe American Legion Post #338 where he served as Chaplain, and also served as County Chaplain, 32nd Degree Mason.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Doreen; children, Jeffery (Carol) Ault, Michelle (Jason) Yelverton; grandchildren, Casandra Ault, Jared Ault, Justin Yelverton, Evan Yelverton, Spencer Yelverton and Blake Yelverton; sisters, Irene Althaus, Sharon Fisher; step-sister, Jean (Charley) Ladd; step-brothers, Lloyd (Linda) Fite, John (Joyce) Fite; step-brother-in-law, Roy McCurdy, and many nieces, nephews, step nieces, and step nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Joseph Kenneth & Grace (Fite) Ault; mother, Thelma' sisters, Bonnie Sue Everding, Lois (Byers) Lippert, and step-sister, Carlene McCurdy.

Friends will be received from 3-8 PM on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Barndt Funeral Home in Wayne, Ohio. Additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 10-11 AM at Barndt Funeral Home, where a Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11 AM with Pastor Ron Merritt officiating. Burial will be at Bradner Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the Albert Bowe American Legion post #338.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department.

Online condolences can be sent to Ken's family at www.barndtfuneralhome.org.