M & R stands for Bill McKibben and Harold Rau who originally began a partnership as McKibben and Rau at 118 Cherry St., Bluffton, working out of the garage at Bill McKibben’s home. This was 1958. The two men were brothers-in-law – Harold’s wife Ada is a sister to Bill’s wife Faye. According to Ada, they first did sheet metal work, roofing and plumbing and heating installation and repair. The two couples were originally from the Continental, Ohio, area. McKibben had been working in the Findlay area and talked Harold into opening a shop in Bluffton.
In 1960 they opened a showroom in the former Dr. Munson Bixel office which was attached to the McKibben residence. This piece of real estate is now the Bluffton location of First National Bank of Pandora.
In 1962 the partners incorporated as M & R Plumbing and Heating. In 1973 Rau purchased McKibben’s half of the business and McKibben left to work for the Allen County Health Department as plumbing inspector. The following year, 1974, the business was moved to 212 Cherry St. As part of the move, Rau installed an awning on the front of the building. CONTINUES ▶︎
Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly breakfast meeting on Friday, December 13. The meeting will be held on the third floor of the Town Hall.
Members who have membership announcements may email [email protected] by Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Please use subject line "Member Announcement".
Twisted Whisk Cafe will be providing the breakfast.
Wednesday, December 11, 5-7:00 p.m, Mercy Health in the Physicians Conference Room, Health Cafe
Project | SEARCH is a year-long program offered by Apollo Career Center. This program is tailored for students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Its purpose is to provide both entry-level and more complex job experiences in a business environment. Project | SEARCH collaborates with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Apollo Career Center, Mercy Health/St. Rita's Medical Center Employment Services, and local school districts.
The Village of Bluffton Council will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9. The agenda (attached HERE) includes the following legislation:
First reading by emergency of an ordinance that begins the process of authorizing the Lima Building Department as local authority for enforcing Ohio building codes, approving plans and specifications, and making inspections.
In October, Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn reported that the Wood County services currently being used are getting busier and struggling to cover all jobs. He noted that the Village was working on ways to cover plumbing inspections in the portion of Bluffton in Hancock County.
Editor's note: The Lima Building Dept. is also known as the Lima/Allen County Building Department.
