Marikay and Stanley Kimball pictured as newlyweds.

Although it took 73 years, in May 2015 Mary “Marikay” Kimball received a degree in journalism from Ohio State University.

The former Mary Hauffe was studying journalism at OSU when she met Stanley Kimball, a Falconer Central School graduate and fellow Buckeye, at a Valentine’s Day Dance in 1942.

“Their friends set them up on a blind date,” said Patricia Hellner, Stanley and Marikay’s daughter. “The rest is history, they married that November.”

In 1943, Stanley graduated with his degree in agricultural engineering and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia before being deployed to Europe. He served with the 191st Field Artillery during the Battle of the Bulge and later with Patton’s Third Army.

While Stanley was overseas, Marikay was unable to finish her studies due to family obligations and moved into her parent’s home in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1944, they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Marilynne.

At the end of his tour, Stanley received numerous awards, including the Good Conduct and Victory Medals, for his service and assistance in liberating POW, labor and concentration camps.

Following WWII, Stanley moved his wife and daughter back to his hometown of Falconer and became the fourth generation of Kimballs to live and work on the 188-acre, family farm, Kimvale.

Over the years, Stanley and Marikay’s family grew to include three more children, Patricia, Susan and Stephen, who followed in his father’s footsteps of managing the family farm.

A dedicated homemaker and farm wife, Marikay supported her family and community by volunteering with the Falconer PTA, Ross Grange and local 4-H Club. Stanley was a member of the Falconer Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, Town of Poland councilman and Justice of the Peace.

“We feel blessed to have parents that were such good role models, always leading by example when it came to family, a strong work ethic and community service,” Patricia said.

Following their parents’ passing, Stanley in 2006 and Marikay in 2017, their children created a scholarship fund in their memory at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

The Marikay and Stanley Kimball Scholarship will be awarded annually to Falconer Central School graduating seniors studying agriculture, conservation, environmental science, animal science, communications, journalism, or forestry. Priority will be given to students attending Ohio State University or Cornell University.

“Education was always important to (our parents) and they were very proud of the fact that all of their children and grandchildren received college degrees,” Patricia said.