Obituaries

April 19, 2020

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...

April 18, 2020

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...

April 13, 2020

Shirley Ann Prigge age 70, died peacefully on Monday morning, April 13, 2020 in her rural Napoleon home.

Her Legacy… Shirley was born December 15, 1949 to Cloyce William (Red) and   Lois Marie (Eberle) Waisner in Defiance.  She graduated from Florida/Napoleon High School in 1967.  On May 9, 1970...

April 5, 2020

John Thomas Wood age 76, of Defiance, died Sunday morning, April 5, 2020 at Mercy Health Defiance Hospital.

His Legacy… John was born October 13, 1943 to Floyd and Emma (Briggs) Wood in Lima. He graduated from Lima Senior High School in 1964.  John is a United States veteran...

March 29, 2020

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.

March 16, 2020

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...

March 14, 2020

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...

March 10, 2020

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...

March 7, 2020

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...

March 6, 2020

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...

February 28, 2020

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...

February 6, 2020

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...

February 2, 2020

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...

January 26, 2020

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....

January 18, 2020

Mary Theresa Snyder age 90, of Ottawa and formerly New Bavaria, died Saturday morning, January 18, 2020 at The Meadows of Ottawa.

Her Legacy… Mary was born March 1, 1929 to Martin and Helen (Warniment) Klear in New Bavaria.  She graduated from Holgate High School in 1947.  On February...

January 7, 2020

James Edward Shiarla age 86, of New Bavaria, died late Tuesday morning, January 7, 2020 at Vancrest of Holgate.

His Legacy… Jim was born September 26, 1933 to Allen and Alma (Haase) Shiarla in Okolona.   He graduated from Florida High School in 1952.  In 1952 Jim enlisted with the...

January 2, 2020

Gladys LuElla Baker age 94, of Holgate, died Thursday morning, January 2, 2020 at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born October 23, 1925 to Carl O. and Creda (Wheeler) Skiver in Defiance.  When she was 3, her mother died.  Her step mother was Ruby Werble Skiver.  Gladys...

January 1, 2020

Naomi Mae Engel age 92, of Holgate, died Wednesday morning, January 1, 2020 at the Henry County Hospital.

Her Legacy… She was born August 7, 1927 to Lloyd and Sadie (Roe) Moneghan in Toledo.  Naomi graduated from Holgate High School in 1945.  On November 28, 1946, she married Robert...

December 21, 2019

Rose Marie “Rosie” Rentz age 65, died in her Holgate home on Saturday, December 21, 2019.

She was born June 9, 1954 in Defiance County to Peter and Mary (Deitrick) Seifert.  She married Don Rentz.  Rosie was a STNA at Holgate Quality Care and she was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Holgate.  She...

December 16, 2019

Laonna Elaine “Maisy” Rudolph age 93, died Monday afternoon, December 16, 2019 in her Holgate home.

She was born May 17, 1926 to Floyd and Alice (Seaman) May in Fayette.  She married Kermit D. Rudolph.  Maisy was a Registered Nurse and   a member of the Holgate United Methodist Church.  She is survived by four children and a...