Edward J. Werling
Class of 1957, 2018 Inductee
In Recognition for Service, Leadership and Achievement
Ed is quite modest and has never wanted acknowledgement or recognition for his contributions, believing instead that we all have an obligation to use our God-given gifts to improve the lives of others. Ed works “behind the scenes” networking to achieve a specific vision to benefit others while investing personal funding as needed.
Locally, Ed has been a successful independent farmer and local businessman, the former President of Werling and Sons, Inc., the former President of the Ohio Association of Meat Processors; helped found the local Center for Neurological Development to provide the opportunity for therapy to local community members; served on the St. Henry Board of Education for 8 years and the Mercer County Educational Service Center for 12 years; has been a board member for the Maria Stein Spiritual Center for 16 years including Treasurer for 11 years; and was a member of the Burkettsville Community Fire Department for 38 years.
Globally, Ed has provided assistance for over 25 years to the Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica who were managing a boys’ school. While there, he helped build a self-sustaining butcher shop, establish one of the best swine herds on the island and developed a catering/hosting facility; he developed a soy protein meal system whereby local soybeans are processed, stored in large barrels and sent to otherwise malnourished people in underdeveloped countries (mainly Haiti, Tanzania and Jamaica); assisted Tanzanians by helping construct schools and fund the installation of water wells. He also provided financial assistance and direction to develop sustainable businesses such as a fish farm, poultry farm, a swine herd, an agricultural farm and a meat processing facility; and he traveled to Bulgaria in association with the Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance to teach current industry practices and entrepreneurial skills to several meat packers.
