Streacker, Wagner inducted into ag hall of fame

TIFFIN — Jim Streacker and Gene Wagner were inducted into the Seneca County Agricultural Hall of Recognition Monday evening by Seneca County Farm Bureau during a ceremony at the Seneca County Fair. James Streacker Streacker has been an owner of Streacker Tractor Sales for 57 years. He, his father and his four brothers have provided sales and service to owners of Ford, New Holland, Kubota and various other farm equipment in Tiffin, Findlay, Fremont and Napoleon. Streacker mainly operated the Tiffin store for 55 years. He has been married to his wife Eleanor, for nearly 70 years. They have four children – Jim Streacker, Cindy Maiberger, Karen Behm and Sandra Nielsen. Personally, Streacker served on the board of St. Francis Home for many years, and Calvert High School board and foundation, and as president of both. He was involved in Tiffin chamber of commerce, St. Mary Church, and he was a charter member of Tiffin Business Boosters Club. His father, Tony, founded Streacker Tractor Sales just west of Tiffin in 1945 at the location occupied by Reineke Ford today. At the time, his sons were Herbert, age 20; Earl, 18; Paul, 15; Jim, 14; and Ed, 6. Tony died in 1955, and his sons expanded the business into Findlay in 1956, Fremont in 1972 and Napoleon in 1983. Jim and Herbert stayed mainly in Tiffin. At one time, Streacker Tractor was known as Ford Motor Co.'s largest tractor dealer. In 1975, Seneca County had six tractor dealers, and Streacker served as president of the Seneca County Implement Dealers Association. The association established the first rental business, and then a rent-to-own program. With local banks, it established retail finance in the tractor business, keeping money local. Through the RFD News, Bellevue, Streacker helped to create a method of reaching agricultural and small business companies in seven counties through a free newspaper. At one time, the Streacker company was its largest advertiser. Today, Streacker Tractor Sales serves all of northwest Ohio from Fremont and Findlay offices. Eugene Wagner Eugene Wagner of Alvada has been in production agriculture for 55 years. Wagner, born in New Riegel in 1935, first attended school at St. Peter's, Alvada, and then attended high school at New Riegel School. He grew up on the family farm, and still assists his sons and grandsons on the farm. He met Rosie, his wife of 47 years, at a dance in Bascom, and they had three children. He then married Donna Reinhart in 2008, and together, they have eight children, 29 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Wagner is a member of New Riegel Moose, and served in the past as a board member for New Riegel Elevator. He has been a member of Seneca County Swine Association and New Riegel Young Farmers. In addition, he a 55-gallon blood donor. He became a Fourth Degree Knight for the Knights of Columbus in 1990. He has been active as a color corps commander for the Knight of Columbus for 31 years and is still active. He is also a Toledo area K of C diocese class honoree. As a member of Young Farmers, he worked at fair tractor pulls and other activities hosted by the organization as well as attending many FFA field trips. He also assisted with loading hogs and with the pig scramble at the fair for many years. Wagner has been inducted into the FFA Hall of Fame. In September 2017, the Wagner farm received the Century Farm Award in honor of the Kirian/Wagner Farm, which was established in 1912. He has been involved with his church community as eucharistic minister, and he served on parish council where he had several positions. He attended St. Peter's, Alvada, until the church was closed, and he's not a member of All Saints Parish, New Riegel. At age 87, he is on the Cemetery Committee and maintains St. Peter's Cemetery by mowing the lawn and straightening grave markers. He also is in charge of opening and closing graves at three parish cemeteries, working closely with parish staff members, funeral home directors and monument companies. He is kind and compassionate to those who have lost a loved one.