The Butler County Court and county residents owe a debt of gratitude to Nancy Oesterling of Summit Township for her 32 years of dedicated service as the county's Democratic jury commissioner.

Wednesday was Oesterling's last day of work; she did not seek re-election in the November election. She plans to use her newfound free time doing volunteer work on behalf of the county's veterans, working at St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church in Oakland Township, entertaining at senior centers (she is a country-gospel singer by hobby), and spending time with her sons and grandsons.

Oesterling takes pride in the fact that she never was reprimanded by a judge during her years of office, which spanned five president judges. What's even more notable from county taxpayers' perspective is that Oesterling watched spending of county money as if it were her own.

Not enough people in public office can honestly say that.

During Oesterling's eight terms in office, the number of people drawn for jury duty has increased to 7,500 a year from about 700. Meanwhile, the number of questionnaires sent out to prospective jurors has increased to 20,000 annually from about the 1,000 sent out three decades ago.

The ever-increasing workload wasn't discouraging to Oesterling. That attests to her dedication to the important function with which she was entrusted.

"I've done my best," Oesterling said. And, it's doubtful anyone would find justification to disagree.

Those who will benefit from Oesterling's new priorities should consider themselves lucky.