Merle Grace Kearns (R), a respected Ohio lawmaker who served in the legislature for 15 years before becoming director of the Ohio Department of Aging, died in August.

• Position: PEOPLE & POLITICS

MERLE GRACE KEARNS (R), A RESPECTED OHIO LAWMAKER WHO SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR 15 YEARS BEFORE BECOMING DIRECTOR OF THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGING, DIED in August. She was 76. In 1991, Kearns was elected to the Senate, where she served 10 years before running for the House. She was elected majority floor leader in 2005 and later was appointed to the Department on Aging. "Merle...