All Obituaries

Arnold (Arnie) Otto Gerken June 19, 1932-March 29, 2020 Arnie was born to Henry C. and Ida (Rickenburg) Gerken on June 19, 1932. When Arnie was 1 ½ years old, his mother died and he was then raised by aunt and uncle Ernest and Erna E. Lange. On December 5, 1954, he married Lois (Freytag) at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon Township by Pastor George Hueter. Arnie graduated from Hamler High School and was employed as a carpenter until he went into the Army. He was stationed in...

            Lowell G. Pfau, 79, of New Bavaria, Ohio went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Lowell was born June 10, 1940 to the late George and Erma Pfau. He was a graduate of the Holgate High School. Lowell was a U.S. Army veteran who served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry, Ohio Army National Guard in Napoleon. Lowell served at Fort Jackson, South...

Gladys H. Wagner age 81, of Napoleon, died Monday afternoon, March 16, 2020 at the Defiance In-patient Hospice Center. Her Legacy… She was born September 6, 1938 to John and Angnes (Pantenburg) Romes in New Bavaria.  She graduated from Holgate High School and then went to Defiance College.  She worked for Campbell Soup Company.  On March 6, 1992, she married Roger George Wagner.  Gladys was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Napoleon. Her Family…...

Paul Kenneth Bostelman age 86, of Defiance, died Tuesday morning, March 10, 2020 at the Laurels of Defiance. His Legacy… Paul was born October 11, 1933 to Henry and Martha (Hatcher) Bostelman in Holgate.  He worked 50 years for Bricker Plating, Inc., Bryan.  He was a member of North Mount Zion Church, Continental. His Family… He is survived by his sister-in-law, June Bostelman, Defiance and his niece, Joyce (Bob) Heil, Defiance.  He was preceded in death by his...

Martha “Suzie” Pilger, age 75, of Hamler received her wings on Saturday, March 7, 2020.  Her Legacy… She was born August 9, 1944 to Wiley and Martha Wilhelm.  Suzie always put our God, her husband, and her family before herself.  She was her happiest when she was around her family laughing and joking with them.  Martha prayed her Rosary every day and would always remember her loved ones in her daily prayers.  Her love for her faith was always...

Cory William Jones age 60, of Wauseon, died Friday morning, March 6, 2020 at the Defiance In-patient Hospice Center surrounded by family.  His Legacy… Cory was born November 9, 1959 to John and Winnefred (Craig) Jones in Wauseon.  He graduated from Wauseon High School in 1978.  Cory was a produce manager, worked for John Deere in Berkey and was a chicken farmer.  Cory was a dreamer, with ideas of inventions.  He was always up for a good time.  He...

James Leroy Armbruster age 84, of rural Napoleon, died unexpectedly on Friday evening, February 28, 2020 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital.  His Legacy… Jim was born December 28, 1935 to Howard J. and Laura E. (Rettig) Armbruster in Napoleon.  He graduated from Florida High School in 1953.  Jim attended the Defiance College.  On October 8, 1961 he married Kay Watkins at the Delta Methodist Church.  In 1954 he worked for Swift and Company,...

Eric Von Holzer age 52, died Thursday, February 6, 2020 in his rural Napoleon home following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. His Legacy… Eric was born July 21, 1967 to August “Jerry” and Millie (Shisler) Holzer in Bowling Green.  A graduate of Napoleon High School, Eric enlisted with the United States Navy and retired from the military as a Chief Petty Officer after 21 years.  He was employed by Ernst Asphalt, Wauseon. On July 28, 2018 Eric married...

Kenneth Paul Okuley age 78, of Holgate, died Sunday, February 2, 2020 at the Defiance In-patient Hospice Center surrounded by family.  His Legacy… Kenneth was born June 18, 1941 to Paul J. and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Okuley in New Bavaria.  He graduated from Miller City High School in 1959.  On August 11, 1962 he married Jeanette Emma Wehri in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Kalida.  He was a farmer, enjoyed carpentry and was a part time truck driver. ...

Rosemary Alexander age 71, of Holgate, died at the Defiance In-patient Hospice Center, Sunday night, January 26, 2020. She was born June 2, 1948 to Raymond and Bessie Wells in Taylorville, WV.  On June 1, 1996, she married Thomas Alexander and he survives.  She retired from the Campbell Soup Company after several years. Rosemary is survived by her children: Douglas “Leon” (Heather) Nash, Jr., Holgate, Esther (Douglas) Stuber, Napoleon and Michelle (Brent)...