Rhonda Christine Urschel, or “Chris” as she is affectionately known, is the daughter of Richard & Monna Bolin. She married her “sweet prince” Robert “Bob” Urschel Sr on Christmas Eve 1975, and had 2 children, Rachael & Robert Jr. 

In 1987, Chris made the decision to move her young family to Spring Valley, because it reminded her of her childhood hometown. At that time, there was low traffic and many local kids, and she felt it would be a great place to raise her children. She immediately got involved with ACTS as she wanted to be an active part of her community, and has remained active ever since! During those days, she was the author of a Spring Valley neighborhood column for the Xenia Gazette, where she highlighted interesting events/residents/history of Spring Valley. She also composed the annual Potato Festival booklet, for which she hand-drew artwork, gathered all advertising/sponsor information, and had to print & assemble each booklet, which was a huge task before home-based technology. She also actively volunteered at the Potato Festival, selling cookies, working the baked potato/potato soup booths and being a festival runner. 

After several years, Chris decided to pursue her career and became a paraprofessional, and then a teacher, ultimately settling at Stephen Bell Elementary as a 1st grade teacher. While her focus had shifted, she continued to contribute money/supplies for events and volunteer each year for the Potato Festival. For approximately 20 years, she assisted her husband with the baking and transporting of the baked potatoes sold in the baked potato booth. Also, thanks to her husband's love for automobiles & motorcycles, she, for many years, was known as the local Notary Public. She continued to lend her artwork to the community, hand drawing posters for many community events. If you have seen the posters that hang at the Post Office or the library, chances are very high that it is her artwork that you are seeing! Also, when her oldest grandchild was old enough to participate, she would hand-make his costumes for the festival royalty pageant. 

After 25 years, Chris retired from Bellbrook Schools and was looking forward to retirement and traveling with Bob. Sadly, in 2015, Chris unexpectedly lost her “sweet prince” along with all of the plans they had. Chris poured herself into her family, and after the initial grief period, she has poured herself into her community once again. 

In recent years, she has continued to lend her artwork to community posters, Potato Festival t-shirts & Spring Valley Library t-shirts. She has also been a donor & vendor at Christmas in the Village, a vendor at Spring Valley Market Days, and has hand-drawn cards for purchase at

Hensley’s Ice Cream & Mercantile, as well as private commissions. She is an election poll worker for the Spring Valley community, and can be seen there every election day! She helped to kick-start the Tree Committee and participated in the early Arbor Day celebrations by doing artwork/story time with the children. She hand painted the “Rider’s Run” sign at the new park. She continues to assist with the festival by helping make potato candy, prep for the Mashed Potato Eating contest, festival vendor check-in & festival financials. Most recently she is the new author/distributor of our community newsletter “The Village Pump”! 

Chris has been such a huge asset to the Spring Valley community for many years, and many do not even realize that because she never asks for recognition. Hence, one of the many reasons that she so truly deserves this award! Please join us in celebrating this wonderful Spring Valley resident!