Van Wert County Commissioners Clair Dudgeon, left, and Gary Adams, right, are retiring.

On Thursday, county employees and residents took time to celebrate and thank outgoing county commissioners Gary Adams and Clair Dudgeon at a reception in the commissioner’s conference room. Adams is retiring after serving 28 years on the job which makes him the longest-serving commissioner in the history of Van Wert County. Dudgeon is leaving his post after 12 years, tying him for the second-longest-serving commissioner in Van Wert County history.

“It will be a challenge after losing 40 years of experience,” Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger said. With two years of experience, Lichtensteiger will now be the senior member on the Van Wert County Commission.

Joining Lichtensteiger at the beginning of 2013 will be long-time Sheriff Stan D. Owens and attorney Todd Wolfrum.