Former mayor Mustard dies at 75

CELINA - "Instrumental" was one of the most used words when describing the life and service of Jim Mustard.

Mustard, 75, Celina, was a former Celina mayor, city council member, Celina City Schools employee and community philanthrope. He died Saturday at his residence.

Mustard was known for having a heart for philanthropy, going the extra mile to help others and securing numerous grants to make improvements to the community by those who knew him.

Grand Lake Rotary Club member Tom Kirk said Mustard was heavily involved with the club and community. Mustard co-founded the Celina Club, and he later co-founded the Grand Lake Rotary Club, Kirk said. Mustard served as the grants committee chair for the Celina Rotary Club and was the key to successfully obtaining funding for multiple community projects.

"Overall, Jim was someone that if you asked something of him, he always got it done for you," Kirk said Monday. "He helped anyone and everyone who asked him. His heart was always in the right place."

Mustard was the first school psychologist at Celina City Schools in 1972, according to his obituary. Much of his career was spent as director of pupil personnel at the school district, during which time he started several educational programs.

Mustard started the Head Start program in Celina, which was the first in Ohio, and designed an evening adult vocational education program that has grown into the present day Tri Star Career Compact, according to his obituary.

Superintendent Ken Schmiesing said Mustard secured multiple grants for the school district and was instrumental in building the middle school. After Mustard's retirement in 1996, he still continued to serve the community, Schmiesing said.

"He continued to go the extra mile and help students," Schmiesing said. "Even after retirement, he continued to look after their welfare."

Mustard served as Celina city council president from 1989 to 1991 and they served as Celina's mayor from 1992-1995, mayor Jeff Hazel said Monday evening.

Mustard wrote numerous grant funding proposals over the course of his life and secured funding for the Bryson Park District, Eastview and Westview parks, the Celina Fire Department and the Lion's Club, Hazel said.

"He's been very instrumental in getting parks grants for us," Hazel said. "We still have a couple of his grants that are pending approval right now in the state that he actually drafted. He was very much a friend of the city. He loved the community.

He's done a number of really unique things, projects and grants, and kind of help coordinate a whole lot in our community," Hazel continued. "He never stopped serving the public, even in what I would call his retirement. Our condolences go out to his wife and his family."

Hazel ordered the Celina city flag be flown at half-mast for the week in honor of Mustard and his service to the community.