Today is a special day at Mansfield Plumbing. We’re honoring four of our employees who were killed in a plane crash 50 years ago on this date.

The accident in 1966 involved a twin-engine Cessna plane headed to Chattanooga, Tenn. on company business. Severe weather was believed to have caused the crash, which happened near Granville, Ohio. The wreckage and five victims were found in a heavily wooded area on August 17, 1966.

“The tragedy 50 years ago that took the lives of Kenneth Edmondson, Arthur Young, Theodore Smith, Harry Moyers and the pilot, Paul Root, still touches many of us today,” says Jim Morando, president of Mansfield Plumbing. “This is a tight-knit community. There are family members and people still residing in our area who remember these people.”

To honor the victims, Mansfield Plumbing will host a public commemorative service today at Perrysville United Methodist Church with Pastor Rob Paterson presiding. Remembrances from family and friends of those lost in the crash will be invited during the service.

One family member who lost his grandfather in the crash is Rod Edmondson, the current Model Shop Manager at Mansfield Plumbing. Edmondson was a child when his grandfather died. He continues the family tradition and is the third generation of Edmondson men who have had careers at the company since it started in 1929.

“It’s really important for myself and my family to honor these men on August 16th,” says Rod Edmondson, a 32-year employee at Mansfield Plumbing.”This service is especially important for my family members so we can keep their memories alive and honor those lost in the plane crash.”

In addition to the service, leaders at Mansfield Plumbing will dedicate the new employee cafeteria at Mansfield Plumbing in honor of Edmondson, Moyers, Smith and Young. A plaque will be hung and a display featuring memorabilia and information on the plane crash will be on view for employees to see.