To honor their fiftieth anniversary, children of Gertrude and Gilmer Wharton, DAniel B. Wharton and Dolores (Wharton) Lee, created the Mr. and Mrs. Gilmer S. Wharton Anniversary Fund to be used by the Foundation to support projects of special importance to the community.

Gertrude was born Nov. 29, 1913 in Parkersburg, a daughter of the late John C. Johnson and Effie Wilson Johnson. She graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1931, attended Marshall College, now Marshall University and later worked for the American Viscose and Internal Revenue Service. She was a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Rachel Circle and the United Methodist Women. She was also a former Girl Scout Leader, member and past president of Chapter L, P.E.O. Sisterhood. Gertrude was an avid golfer and a Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League. She passed away on April 21, 2008.

Mr. Wharton was born and raised on a farm off Old St. Marys Pike in Parkersburg, and never stopped being an "ol' country boy" at heart. Even in his later years, he could be found riding a tractor and working on his farm in rural Ohio. Mr. Wharton was a US Army veteran of World War II, having served with the 103rd Division in both Italy and southern Germany from 1943-1945. He was a member of the Parkersburg Moose Lodge, Elks Club 198, American Legion Post 15, Pioneer Antique Automobile Club, St. Andrews United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Men. Mr. Wharton was a founder of the Wharton Auto Group. He passed away on September 26, 1999.

Daniel B. Wharton stated that "He was a wonderful father who taught me to treat people fairly and honestly."