Somerton Alums Honor Popular Restaurant Owner
Mary Ann Clark Lucas, owner of the popular Schlepp’s Restaurant near Morristown, was honored by the Somerton Alumni Association Saturday night as the 2025 Alumnus of the Year.
Clark, a 1978 graduate of Barnesville High School and the daughter of the late Charles and Ruth Ann Nicholes Clark, grew up in Somerton along with her five brothers.
As an adult, while Lucas has lived in the Bethesda community, she has maintained strong ties with the Somerton community. She provided primary care for her late father in his final years and continues to coordinate family gatherings at his waterfront residence just north of the village.
Lucas is most famous in the local region as the owner of Schlepp’s Restaurant. She purchased the business in 2001 and has successfully operated the popular eatery ever since.
The award was a surprise for Lucas, who was not only honored by the association, but once again catered the banquet meal!
In accepting the award from her peers, she said, “I’ve always been proud to be from Somerton, and I always tell everyone I am from Somerton, Ohio.”
The honoree was introduced in a heartfelt tribute by Rilee Lucas, her granddaughter, who hugged her grandmother when she came forward to accept the award.
Lucas also has a life beyond her business. She is the proud mother of a son and five grandchildren.
She is the 45th Somerton School student honored by the Somerton Alumni Association, an organization that dates to 1923. The first alumni gathering took place in 1891 at Detling’s Grove that was located east of the village.
The first honoree was the late Fred “Fritz” Stephen, Somerton School administrator and coach.
The alumni banquet was held in the social room of the Somerton Fire Station. It was coordinated by the group’s officers Kendall Ackerman, Cindy Froehlich, Dolores Miller and Jody Wilcox. The event was attended by 70 alumni and guests.
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