Schwieterman goodbye

Old friends and long-time customers gathered Thursday at True Value Hardware to say goodbye to Ken Schwieterman.

Schwieterman, who has worked at True Value for the past 36 years, had his last day on the job Thursday. His coworkers and customers celebrated his decades at the hardware store with a reception.

“We had to come out and see Ken,” said Eldon Campbell, who came with his wife Judy. “We've known him forever, we’re always coming in here and getting stuff.”

The Campbells have been coming to True Value ever since Schwieterman bought it in 1981. He owned the store up until 2012, when he sold it to its current owner and stayed on as an employee. Schwieterman, who lives in Coldwater, Ohio, said he’s always enjoyed working in Jay County.

“(When) I started, there weren’t a lot of merchandise in the store, very little,” Schwieterman said. “If they needed something and I didn’t have it, I said, ‘I can have it in three or four days’ … they allowed me to do that, and when they would do that, I would order two, one for me, one for them, and that’s how I built my inventory.”

The Campbells trusted his recommendations, even down to their kitchen utensils. One time when they needed a new can opener, Schwieterman pointed them to the one he used in his own house.

“He always knew what he had in the store … he’d always try to help you out with with what he could,” Judy said. “If he didn’t have it he would get it for you.”

That extended even beyond the hardware store. Years ago when the Campbells’ car exhaust went out, Schwieterman drove out to Portland to help them get it running.

“He brought a complete (exhaust) system over on a Sunday morning,” Eldon said. “He just helped you out every way he can.”

Schwieterman and the Campbells sat and talked for a while Thursday afternoon at the celebration, which featured a cake, cupcakes, peanuts and punch. Memories, well-wishes and cards collected in a metal bucket sitting on the food table while visitors streamed in and out of the store to give Schwieterman a handshake or a hug, saying “congratulations” or “we’ll miss you.”

True Value owner David Bricker was pleased with the turnout.

“I appreciate all the customers that came in to see him,” Bricker said. “We just wish Ken the best and sad to see him go, but we wish him the best in his endeavors. I’m glad for everybody that turned out today.”

He has his own history with Schwieterman.

A lifelong Jay County resident, Bricker grew up coming to the store with his dad, and even worked as a seasonal employee for Schwieterman at one point before purchasing the business.

“I’m happy for all the years and experience he’s given me, the knowledge he’s passed down to me for the past four and a half years,” Bricker said.

Schwieterman said he doesn’t have any concrete plans for retirement. He and his wife Marilyn own some properties in the area and will probably work on those. But he said  he will miss the people he got to interact with every day for so many years.

“To be in this business you have to be a people person,” Schwieterman said. “If you can’t be a people person you don’t belong in r