BUCYRUS—Debra Garverick grew up knowing she wanted to be an attorney.

“My father, Charles “Bob” Garverick, was an attorney in private practice and served as Law Director for Galion for many years and I grew up with great respect for our legal system.  I really never considered any other profession.  The law was something I always wanted to be part of; it is ever-changing and ever-challenging,” said Garverick.

Garverick, who is running against Republican Patrick Murphy for the position of Crawford County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge left vacant by long-time Judge Stephen Eckstein who died in March, said she is running for judge because she believes she can make a difference.

“On the Probate side, we need to make the probate process less burdensome for families. Families who have lost a loved one should not have their lives further complicated by unnecessary court appearances.  On the Juvenile side, we need to support and educate parents to create stronger family units,” said Garverick. “We need to relocate those children with parents who cannot or will not properly raise and protect them. We have many grandparents raising grandchildren due to among other things, parents’ addictions, and we need to offer them the support and programs they need. I believe I have the strength of character and experience to accomplish these goals.”

Garverick attended Ohio Northern University for both undergraduate studies and law school, graduating in 1983.

“It was in law school that I met my husband and we were married soon after graduation,” said Garverick. “My husband, Tom Hardy, worked for and retired from the Ohio Public Defender’s Office in Columbus.”

Garverick has been an attorney in private practice for 37 years, concentrating in probate matters and real estate.

“Earlier in my career, I practiced in many other areas, including serving as guardian ad litem in Juvenile Court matters, domestic relations, business and tax,” said Garverick.

She said time constraints and the size of her practice made it necessary to eventually limit the areas I of law that she handled.

“I do legal work in Morrow, Wyandot, Richland and Marion Counties but Crawford is where the major share of my practice takes place,” said Garverick.

She was raised in a family with strong military ties and a belief in service to our country.

“My grandfather served during WWI, my father served in the Navy in both WWII and the Korean War, my brother served in the Army, my uncle was a Navy Seal, my husband served in the Navy for 17 years and fought in Vietnam, his three brothers served in the Army, Marines and Air Force and my nephew is currently a career Navy man stationed in Japan,” said Garverick.

Following in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents, she has lived in Galion her entire life other than when she attended college then law school.

“I have shared my home with my husband, a number of Irish Wolfhounds, and various other dogs and cats, and believe there is no better place to live than Crawford County.  With the recent loss of my husband, I feel the time is right for me to go back into public service,” said Garverick who is a Democrat and served as the law director of Galion early on in her career.

Garverick said she has a strong commitment to volunteering and making life better for others.

“Once a month my friend, our County Auditor Joan Wolfe, and I take my Irish Wolfhounds to an assisted living facility for pet therapy visits. These visits are as meaningful to us as to them,” she said.

She has served on the Boards of the Crawford County Humane Society and the American Cancer Society and currently serves on the Administrative Council of St. Paul United Methodist Church and the Board of the Galion Community Foundation, recently being appointed by Mayor Tom O’Leary to the Board of the newly formed Galion Port Authority, and serves as an Associate Long Term Care Ombudsman for the State of Ohio.

“I believe I have the background and experience necessary to serve as Probate-Juvenile Judge and I believe I have the character and compassion needed to assist children and families,” said Garverick. “I intend to serve with a commitment to treat everyone who appears before me impartially, fairly and with respect.”

For a story about Garverick’s opponent, Patrick Murphy, click here.