The William F. Reifel Memorial Scholarship honors long-time Brookville resident, William F. Reifel. The scholarship, established in 2006, primarily awards Franklin County students of FCN Bank personnel who are in their second or sophomore, year of a degree program. The award recipients are chosen by an independent scholarship committee of FCCF, unrelated to the bank.
Mr. Reifel joined the Franklin County National Bank on September 1, 1924. On June 24, 1949 he was promoted to cashier and trust officer. In 1966 he was elected Executive Vice President of the bank. He became the sixth president in the history of FCN Bank on April 14, 1970. He was then elected the third chairman of the board of directors and served in that capacity until his retirement on December 31, 1979. When Mr. Reifel began his banking career in 1924, the bank had assets of $730,624. When he retired in 1979, after 55 years of service, the bank had assets of $41 million.
He was the model community banker. His motivation was to help people help themselves. He dedicated his life to his family, Brookville, Franklin County and FCN Bank. His wife, Bertha Reifel, taught many years at Laurel School and Brookville Elementary School before spending time teaching at St. Michael’s School. She was highly regarded and respected as an outstanding educator.