Chester & Mildred Roberts Fund

Building on a true legacy of civic involvement is the story of the Chester C. & Mildred Roberts Fund. The Roberts were lifelong members of the Marion community, as were their parents and family before them.

The Roberts have close ties to Marion’s most famous family, the Hardings. Mildred’s brother, George Christian, Jr., served as secretary to Warren G. Harding during his Senate terms and the presidency. Her sister, Mrs. Fred Dombaugh, and brother-in-law were the live-in caretakers of the Harding Home for many years. Mildred’s family was considered the Hardings’ oldest and closest friends.

Chester C. Roberts, who, in 1945, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 56, had been the president of the then-Marion Reserve Power Company, precursor to the present Ohio Edison. Chester worked in the utility industry all of his adult life. He was actively interested in veterans’ affairs and was a driving force for the construction of a veterans’ home in Marion.

As a widow, Mildred chose to become increasing active in community life – for herself and her three sons – Frank, John, and Charles. She was concerned with health and literary issues and active with her church, First Presbyterian, of which she was a member for 84 years.

The Roberts Fund was created by son Charles and his wife, Mary. It is an unrestricted fund and continues to be supported by members of the Roberts family to this day.