The late Dr. Gene Isler, a Delaware County native, and his surviving wife, Karen Isler, will be honored with his induction into the Ohio State Fair’s 39th annual Hall of Fame next week.

The ceremony will be on Aug. 7 at 12:30 p.m. in the WCOL Celeste Center.

Featured at every Ohio State Fair since 1976, the State Fair Hall of Fame inducts new members each year who have made outstanding contributions toward making the fair one of America’s premier expositions. Notable past Hall of Fame inductees include Bob Evans, Dave Thomas of Wendy’s and Sen. George Voinovich.

Isler dedicated 63 years of his life to the swine industry as an academic, a mentor, an exhibitor and more. He showed pigs and sheep for many years as both a 4-H and FFA member in the junior fair show and, for decades following, in the open show at the Ohio State Fair. Through the Ohio State Fair, Isler served as an assistant swine superintendent and a judge, started and oversaw the performance barrow show, supported and contributed to Buckeye Barrow Boosters.

“Gene Isler was very instrumental in the swine department,” said Virgil Strickler, general manager of the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair. “Gene was always there for me in any way he could be, and gave great advice on how to grow and manage the swine program at the Ohio State Fair.”

For more information, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR. On the web, visit ohiostatefair.com.

The 2015 Ohio State Fair will run today through Aug. 9.