John Veney Named 2026 Scouter of the Year; Five Eagle Scouts Honored

Killbuck District named longtime volunteer John Veney its 2026 Scouter of the Year at the district’s Recognition Dinner Feb. 19, 2026, held at First Presbyterian Church in Wooster and sponsored by Commercial and Savings Bank. The event recognized adult volunteers and younger scouts; Your Ohio News reported that 67 Scouts and adult leaders attended the dinner.

Veney was honored for more than 15 years of adult volunteer service that, by The Daily Record’s account, includes roles as den leader, Cubmaster and chartered organization representative for Cub Pack 61 in Wooster, plus Scoutmaster and chartered organization representative for Troop 61 in Wooster. The Daily Record notes Veney has served as a merit badge counselor and co-chair of District Advancement for Killbuck District and the Buckeye Council, is active in the Order of the Arrow and recently received the Vigil Award. He previously received a District Award of Merit and the Buckeye Council Silver Beaver award. The Daily Record also reports Veney works as the financial officer of Mirk Inc. in Orrville and is married to Heather; their children are Sarah and Jack Veney, with Jack identified as an Eagle Scout. Your Ohio News adds that Veney is “formerly of Wooster and now living in Ashland County.”

The dinner also formally honored five Scouts from Wayne and Holmes counties who earned the rank of Eagle in 2025, as listed by The Daily Record: Elizabeth Cole of Troop 64 in Wooster; Aubrey Knopp of Troop 68 in Wooster; Terrance Miller of Troop 355 in Holmesville; Taygen Nelson of Troop 73 in Smithville; and Ethan Wade of Troop 71 in Shreve.

Killbuck District presented a slate of adult awards at the Feb. 19 dinner, according to The Daily Record. The winners and their hometowns are: Denver Stufflebeam of Orrville, Commissioner Wreath of Service Award; Philip Lautenschlager of Wooster, Den Leader of the Year; Shane Riemenschneider of Millersburg, Akela Award; Michael Seifried of Wooster, Cubmaster of the Year; Rebecca Schlabach of Millersburg, Killbuck Award; Jason Carroll of Wooster, Ray Zeigman Award; and Michael Robinson of Orrville, District Award of Merit.

The Killbuck District event, part of the Buckeye Council’s annual recognition cycle, drew local leaders and families to First Presbyterian Church in Wooster. Your Ohio News’ event coverage included photo captions showing children holding green bags during a cleanup activity and a scout leader in uniform with badges and a medal. A short Facebook post circulating after the dinner reiterated that Veney was named Scouter of the Year and that five Eagle Scouts were honored at the Feb. 19 recognition.

The Daily Record’s coverage of the awards was filed by reporter Jane Imbody and includes a note that the article was updated Feb. 25, 2026, at 11:04 a.m. ET to correct an earlier inaccuracy; the byline also indicates the reporter was assisted by AI. The Recognition Dinner and its roster of honorees underscore ongoing volunteer leadership across Wayne and Holmes counties within the Buckeye Council’s Killbuck District.