WINONA - The family of a former fire chief who died in an ultralight aircraft accident in July 2007 is honoring their loved one by giving back to the community in his name through a scholarship.

Paul Gamble, the son of former Winona fire Chief Jonathan Gamble, on Friday awarded Graceanne Hanley, a 2009 United Local High School graduate, with $1,000 through the Jonathan Gamble Memorial Scholarship. It is the first time the scholarship has been awarded, and several members of the Gamble family gathered at the fire station for the event.

"To me, this is a great way to honor his legacy and encourage other people to do these kind of things," Paul commented.

Paul said he got the idea for the scholarship by listening to people at his father's funeral talk about how the former chief had influenced their lives.

Jonathan Gamble was the department's fire chief for seven and one-half years before he moved to Florida, where he continued to serve as a volunteer firefighter for several years. He also served as an officer of the North Coast Lite Flyers for several years following his return to Ohio.

Current fire Chief Willie Brantingham served under Jonathan Gamble when he first joined the department. Brantingham remembers the former chief as a very hard worker who was dedicated to his job at the department and his local dairy farm.

"He was a stickler for training. He instituted our regular training program at that time," Brantingham recalled, noting the department still is using the training program Jonathan Gamble established when he was chief.

Additionally, Brantingham said the former chief, who was a member of the Ohio State Firefighters Association, regularly took part in additional outside training and was an influence in Brantingham's decision to undertake additional training as well.

Hanley, who plans to attend Kent State University, Salem Campus, in the fall, is the granddaughter of Robert Walton, a founding member of the fire department in 1956 and fire chief for 13 and one-half years, and the great-granddaughter of George Walton, the department's first fire chief.

She spent four years of high school with the pep, marching and concert bands. She participated in theatrical performances and was a majorette and a member of the French Club and Interact Club. She has held employment with the Salem Community Center and her school district and has participated in the youth group at Winona Evangelical Friends Church.

The award is available to young people who are associated with the fire department and emphasizes applicants' community service and leadership.

Applications for the scholarship will be made available every spring at the Winona Fire Department.

Other members of the Gamble family present at the presentation were Jonathan's sister and brother-in-law, Lola and Doug Toot, his brother and sister-in-law, Lynden and Mary Lou Gamble, and his widow, Luanna Gamble.

mschomer@mojonews.com