Fayette County Veterans Service Commissioners

Patricia Dewees- President, Am Vets S

Patricia Dewees - President

Patricia Dewees (Patty) was born in Dayton, Ohio. She moved to Washington Court House on her first birthday and graduated from Washington Senior High School in 1964. Straight out of high school, Patty joined the Women’s Army Corps in Fort McClellan, Alabama in July of 1964. She then went on to Fort Sam in Huston, Texas were she attended Dental School in January 1965. She then finished her military career at West Point, New York in September of 1966.

In 1968, Patty found her way back home in Washington Court House where she married Harold (Sonny) Dewees. Patty and Sonny ended up moving to Dayton, Ohio for 28 years, then moved back to Washington Court House where she resides to this day.

Patty spends a lot of her time giving back to her fellow veterans by being part of several local organizations. She currently is the President of the Fayette County Veterans Service Commission where she has been part of the board since 2018. Patty is on the executive board of the American Legion; she also holds the current seat of Secretary at AMVETS where she is also a service rep. On top of all of that, Patty is Chaplin of the VFW and Secretary Treasurer of the Honor Guard.

Edward Fisher- Vice President- American Legion

 Fisher has been with the Veterans Service Commission since 2011.

Fisher graduated from St. John’s Catholic School in Middletown. He graduated one year early and then attended Middletown High School where he received his second-high school diploma. Right after high school, Fisher enlisted into the Coast Guard. He was a petty officer and discharged honorably in 1953.

Fisher continued his education after the military and attended Middletown Business College where he majored in accounting. He additionally is a retired superintendent from Armco Steel Corporation. He started Armco as a welder and then was promoted to quality controller, foreman, and then ended his career as superintendent.

Fisher is involved with many community activities and a part of many different community organizations. He is a member of the St. Colman’s Catholic Church and has been a member since 1960; an active member with the American Legion Post 25 for nearly 52 years; and still serves with the Fayette County Honor Guard and has since 1995. Fisher enjoys being involved in the community and serving the veterans of Fayette County in any way he possibly can.


Russell Bernard- Secretary

Russell Bernard is a retired USAF Chief Master Sergeant from the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio where he served a distinguished 33-year career.

He has deployed all over the world to include Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf and most recently Afghanistan before retiring. His favorite memory of his military career was flying over the Pentagon on 9/11 providing air refueling support to military aircraft that were ensuring the safety of American air space on that momentous day.

Russell represents the Veterans of Foreign Wars on the Fayette County Veterans Service Commission.

He has been married to his wife Linda for more than forty-two years. They have two children and four grandchildren.

After retiring from the Air Force, he now enjoys supporting his grandchildren at their sporting events throughout the year and attending horse shows and livestock events with friends.

Compassion for people and the determination to ensure veterans are provided with the most effective support and care after their sacrifice and unwavering commitment to this great country is what prompted him to become a Fayette County Veterans Service Commissioner.


Davey Stuckey- DAV S

William (Davey) Stuckey-DAV

Stuckey was born in Washington Court House. He was raised in New Holland, and he’s a 1997 graduate of Miami Trace. After high school, he immediately started working at YUSA as a painter. He married his wife, Stacey, on Aug. 24, 2000, then enlisted in the US Army on Aug. 29, 2000.

Davey enlisted as an Infantryman. He completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, GA. His first duty station was at Fort Campbell, KY with the 101st Airborne. He deployed to Jordan in preparation for the initial invasion of the Iraq War from September 2002 until December 2002. Davey came home for a short period then headed to Iraq for the initial invasion from February 2003 until February 2004. He came home from his second deployment then was stationed at Fort Benning, GA where he was an instructor.

He spent a total of five years and nine months in the military and ended his time in service. He didn’t want to completely give up the military, so he stayed in the Army reserves. Davey moved back home to Ohio, and worked as a Correction Officer at the Corrections Reception Center in Orient. He was activated through the Reserves and was sent to Fort Lewis to be an instructor.

Stuckey was not out for very long and realized that he missed active duty. He re-enlisted into the Army on Sept. 7, 2007. Davey was stationed at Camp Casey, South Korea. He completed my year in Korea and then was stationed back to Fort Campbell, KY with the 101st Airborne once again. He then deployed to Afghanistan from August 2010 until August 2011. After being back at Fort Campbell for just a year, he was then sent to become a Recruiter. He was moved to Portsmouth to fulfill the commitment as a Recruiter.

 While on recruiting duty, Davey started having issues with his lungs. He then found out that he has scarring on his lungs from being exposed to chemicals during his deployment to Iraq. The Army then decided to medically retire him. His military career had come to an end with a little more than 16 years total. He medically retired on Nov. 16, 2016. Davey started working as a factory worker at Ritten Industries, left Ritten and went to work at the Uranium Plant in Piketon. He worked there until he fully retired in May of 2018.

Davey is still married to Stacey, and they have two children. His daughter Taylor, 20, is attending OUC College for an Educational Degree. My son Gaige, 16, attends Miami Trace High School. They have two German Shepards, Oakley and Bear. Bear is a unique dog, as he only has three legs due to issues he had as a puppy.


Jerred Mitchell- At Large S

Jerred S. Mitchell - At Large

Jerred has been a Fayette County resident since April 2018. He has two sons that were born abroad, one in Guam and the other in Japan.

A 23-year veteran that was medically retired in 2018, who served in the Active Army Reserve, and Guard from 1995- 1999. And the Active Air Force, Reserve, and Guard from 1999-2018.

He made the Rank of Master Sergeant and served in 9 Career Fields with 5 Deployments and over 100 Courier Missions. He was stationed at overseas bases 20 out of his 23 years of service.

His educational accomplishments are 2AAS, 1BA, 1MS, and 1 Professional Certification in Management.

He is an active lifetime member of VFW, American Legion, DAV, and AMVETS of Fayette County.