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The_Mayor · Member

It was with a heavy heart that I accepted the resignation and retirement of Opha Stansberry as Director of the Office on Aging and the Union County Senior Centers. The Office on Aging co-ordinates senior transportation, senior outreach (going into the community to see what the people need), providing information on senior activities, medical assistance, help with filling out forms (for social security, living wills, trusts and other legal assistance), managing a United Way H.E.L.P. grant (Help Elderly Low Income Persons – some assistance with glasses, dentures, hearing aids) and many, many other functions and resources geared towards aiding seniors in the county. There are 3 Senior Centers, and Opha has worked with each of them to provide recreation, health promotion, education, nutrition, physical fitness, shopping, visiting nursing homes and other trips. The Senior Centers provide folks with a place to socialize, take computer classes, have a bible study, play Scrabble and compete in Rook tournaments.

For over 16 years, Opha Stansberry has been a dedicated and loyal employee of Union County’s Office on Aging and for the past 8 years she has been a tireless and remarkable leader as the Director. It will be difficult to think of the Senior Centers in Union County without thinking of Opha Stansberry. Everyone at the courthouse wishes her a wonderful and relaxing retirement on her farm with her husband Robert. There is some concern, however, that Opha has not gotten off to a very good start. The last I heard, she was spring-cleaning herself into exhaustion!

I’d like to welcome Linda Effler into the position of Director of the Office on Aging. Linda comes to us from Big Ridge State Park where she worked with the many campers and hikers who visit the park every year. She was also the Union County Circuit Court Clerk from 1998-2002. But she is not new to the Union County seniors! Linda was Director of the Office on Aging from 1991-1998. Linda truly enjoys working with seniors and she is really excited about returning to this position. She looks forward to the challenges and responsibilities of the Office on Aging. Welcome back, Linda Effler!