GREENVILLE – Three Darke County residents, each 104 years old, were recognized as the oldest attendees of the 2018 Darke County Fair on Monday.
Mildred Dill from Versailles Health Care Center, Lucille Thomas from Greenville and Roy Weikert from Brethren Retirement Community each received a $100 prize for being the oldest fairgoers during a ceremony on Monday morning.
“I think it’s pretty nice,” Dill said of being the oldest fairgoer. “I thought I’d be gone a long time ago. You know what? I’ve had my funeral arrangements since April 16, 1990!”
Dill and Thomas shared the title of oldest fairgoer for a second consecutive year, and Thomas also was the oldest fairgoer in 2016. Both women were born on Sept. 10, 1913.
This year the Fair expanded the competition to recognize an oldest man and woman. Weikert, who in 2015 was the oldest fairgoer overall, was recognized as the oldest man at this year’s Fair. He was born Oct. 22, 1913.
Weikert, a Covington native, said he moved to Brethren Retirement Community in 2003 after living in California in a scenic area near Yosemite National Park for 22 years.
He attributes diet, exercise and never being married among the reasons for his longevity.
“Just keep breathing,” he added. “Don’t stop breathing.”
Weikert walks daily, although he tries to not overexert himself.
“I try to be careful not to over exercise, and when I get short of breath I stop and get it, catch up,” he said. “I think that’s good for my heart.”
Dill enjoys playing bingo and praying daily at Versailles Health Care Center.
Thomas still lives in her own home and strives to remain active at 104 years old.
“I keep busy,” she said. “Stay out of the chair. You can’t do anything sitting in a chair. You have to keep going.”
