All Obituaries

Herbert John Urdiales age 47, of Defiance died in Defiance on Sunday, June 21, 2020. Herbie was born February 19, 1973 in Defiance to Diane Mullen Urdiales.  He was adopted by Arturo and Lilly Urdiales.  He graduated from Holgate High School in 1991.  He was a train conductor for CSX.  Herb enjoyed sports in general but specifically basketball and MMA fighting.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and his AA family.  He was a member of Hebron Ministries,...

William Grau age 74, of Defiance, passed away Tuesday evening, June 23, 2020 at the Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center surrounded by his loving family.  His Legacy… He was born August 8, 1945 in Napoleon to the late Lavon and Helen (Perry) Grau.   Bill was a 1965 graduate from Holgate High School.  After high school, he joined the Navy and became a corpsman, assigned to the Marines at Great Lakes, IL.    He worked at GM for 40 years until his...

Lois A. Rettig, age 83 of Holgate, died Thursday morning, June 25, 2020 at the Defiance Area In-patient Hospice Center. Her Legacy… She was born January 12, 1937 to Eldor and Rufina (Helberg) Norden in Ridgeville Corners.  She is a 1955 graduate of Jewell High School.  She went on to Detwiller Hospital Training.  She was an LPN at Dettwiller Manor, Wauseon, the former Pleasant Manor (Vancrest of Holgate), Northcrest Nursing Home, Napoleon and the Henry County Hospital,...

James C. Thomas age 87, of New Bavaria died Thursday evening, June 11, 2020 at Vancrest of Holgate. His Legacy… Jim was born August 3, 1932 to Leroy and Pauline (Gustwiller) Thomas in New Bavaria.  He graduated from Holgate High School.  Jim enlisted with the United State Army in 1952.  On January 21, 1956 he married Lois A. Franz.  Jim was a farmer, member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Bavaria, life member of the VFW #8847, life member of PH Athletic...

Rudy A Santos age 73, of Defiance, died Monday night, June 8, 2020 at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.  His Legacy… Rudy was born July 25, 1946 to Jose M. and Eva (Lazano) Santos, Jr. in Poteet, TX.  He graduated from Holgate High School.  He enlisted with the Marine Corps during Vietnam. Rudy was employed with General Motors, Defiance as an electrician. He retired after 30 years. He was a member of the UAW, AMVETS and VFW all of...

Jerrie A. Ricker age 83, of Holgate, died Thursday evening, June 4, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Maumee. Her Legacy…  Jerrie was born July 4, 1936 in Delphos, OH, to George and Pauline Gremling. Jerrie was a lifelong member of St. John Catholic Church, Delphos, where she graduated high school. In 1957, she married Tom Ricker, who preceded her in death in 2011. Jerrie was a homemaker who raised 5 children, who loved her dearly. Jerrie loved computer games, watching Days of Our Lives...

Clare Elizabeth Gilbert age 90, of Deshler, died early Sunday morning, May 3, 2020 at Bridge Hospice in Bowling Green. Her Legacy… She was born January 29, 1930 to Purl and Leona (Lauerman) Chesnut in Troy, Ohio.  Clare graduated from Troy High School.  She married Robert Clark Gilbert on March 25, 1976.  For 20 plus years, she was an Alternative Learning Teacher in Henry County.  She was a member of the Oakdale United Methodist Church, Deshler and the Deshler...

Darrell C. Curtis age 81, of Holgate, died unexpectedly Monday, April 27, 2020 at Mercy Defiance Hospital.  His Legacy… Darrell was born May 10, 1938 to Merle and Mildred (Wright) Curtis in Winchester, IN.  He graduated from Holgate High School in 1957.  On May 15, 1957 he enlisted with the United States Marines.  On January 1, 1958, while on leave, he married Donna M. Eis in St. John Lutheran Church, Holgate.  Darrell was in the maintenance department...

SHE WAS BORN JANUARY 28, 1933 IN PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO AND DIED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL 19, 2020, AT ST. VINCENT MEDICAL CENTER, TOLEDO THE DAUGHTER OF PAULINE (TOOMAN) AND LOWELL RIDENOUR. ON APRIL 19, 1953 SHE MARRIED DARREL (DOIE) KESSELMAYER, WHO PRECEDED HER IN DEATH ON NOVEMBER 12, 2008.  SHE RETIRED AFTER SERVING OVER 25 YEARS AS SECRETARY AT THE HOLGATE SCHOOLS.  SHE WAS A MEMBER OF ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH IN HOLGATE.  SHE ALSO WAS A MEMBER OF THE HOLGATE...

Carolyn Jean (nee Rayle) Powell, age 81, daughter of Arthur and Jessie Meyers Rayle born March 8th, 1939. She passed away April 18th, 2020 at home after a lengthy illness.  Carolyn had lived her whole life on and near her parent’s farm. She is survived by her husband of 64 years William and her children Thomas (Kay), Robin Kern (James) and Sharon Simon (Rick) grandchildren Robert Kern, Adam Kern and Meagan Kern Fyffe, Alissa Simon and Scott Simon, William Powell , 9 great...