Obituaries

Jul 22, 2011

Louise Rutkowski, age 80, of Bryan, died Friday, July 22 at the Bryan Care and Rehabilitation Center in Bryan. She was born January 6, 1931 to Garn and Frances Middleton in Wauseon.

Surviving are sons, Charles (Pat) Whitman, McClure, Mike (Kim) Wagner, Napoleon and David (Betty) Wagner, Stryker; numerous grandchildren; stepgrandchildren and step great grandchildren; nieces and...

Jun 19, 2011

Robert Helberg, Sr., age 87 of Holgate died peacefully Sunday morning, June 19, 2011 in his home surrounded by his family.

He was born December 11, 1923 in Malinta to Arthur and Julia (Badenhop) Helberg. He graduated from Malinta-Grelton High School. On December 12, 1942 he married Bonita Knapp at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamler. He was a...

Jun 14, 2011

Bonnie J. Riebesehl age 64, of Holgate died Tuesday morning in her home.

Her Legacy… She was born September 11, 1946 in Coello, IL to Fred and Marcellyn (Larkey) Vandekerkhove. On July 24, 1965 Bonnie married Daniel Riebesehl. She was a member of Emanuel's Christian Church, New Bavaria. Bonnie and Danny's love was to travel coast to...

Jun 13, 2011

Amelia Pauline Tobias, age 97, of Hamler, died Monday morning, June 13, 2011 at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born March 30, 1914 to Harvey and Gale (Eaton) Conrad in Grelton. On October 12, 1933 she married Everett Charles Tobias in Deshler. Pauline was a homemaker and a member of St. John's United Church of...

Jun 6, 2011

Ronald Steven Baerlin age 64, of Malinta, died Monday morning, June 6, 2011 at Defiance Inpatient Hospice.

He was born February 27, 1947 to Herb and Betty Baerlin in Bryan. He graduated from Farmer High School and was a retired US Navy veteran. He was employed by Ingersoll Rand for 42 years and New Era both of...

Jun 3, 2011

Ignatius William "Bill" Okuly of Holgate died early Friday morning, June 3, 2011 in his home.

His Legacy… Bill was born April 9, 1942 in New Bavaria to Virgil John and Mathilda Amelia (Gerschutz) Okuly. He married Mary J. Beavers on June 23, 1962 in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Holgate. He was a park ranger at Independence...

Apr 28, 2011

Pauline M. Thomas, age 97, of New Bavaria, died Thursday morning, April 28, 2011 at Vancrest Health Care Center of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born New Bavaria on September 3, 1913 to Lola and Helen (Swary) Gustwiller. On February 9, 1932 she married LeRoy Thomas. Pauline was a homemaker and had worked on the family farm...

Apr 15, 2011

Betty Kathleen Burkhart, age 87, of New Bavaria, died Friday morning, April 15, 2011 at the Meadows of Leipsic.

Her Legacy… She was born January 20, 1924 to Edward and Zeta (Marchal) Okuly in Defiance. She graduated from Defiance High School in 1942. On September 14, 1944, she married Earl Burkhart. Betty was a homemaker, loving wife,...

Apr 10, 2011

Ralph C. Welz age 85, of Holgate, died Sunday morning, April 10, 2011 at Vancrest Healthcare Center of Holgate.

His Legacy… He was born December 8, 1925 to Albert and Clara (Zachrich) Welz in Holgate. Ralph unselfishly defended our country in Japan during WWII with the US Army. He married Carolyn Jean Baringer on November 15, 1953...

Apr 10, 2011

Melvin W. Junge, age 85 died Wednesday, April 20 at the Napoleon Lutheran Home surrounded by loved ones. He was born on June 29, 1925 in Hamler, Ohio to the late August and Marie (Fintel) Junge. In June 1946, he married Miriam Lazenby who survives.

Those who knew Mel often heard him express how proud he was...

Apr 3, 2011

James A. Brown, age 65, of Holgate died Sunday afternoon, April 3, 2011 in his home.

His Legacy… Jim was born February 16, 1946 to Leorell "Dutch" and Helen (Kline) Brown in New Bavaria. During the Vietnam War Jim unselfishly served our country and enlisted with the US Army. He was a life member of the Bert...

Apr 2, 2011

David Lee Cain, age 44, died Saturday, April 2, 2011 in Wellston, OK after a long battle with cancer.

His Legacy… He was born April 26, 1966 in Napoleon to Eugene and Janice (Bauer) Cain. He graduated from Holgate High School in 1984. David was a 20 year veteran of the US Army. He was a staff...

Mar 25, 2011

Mary Ann Giesige, age 58 of New Bavaria, died Friday evening, March 25, 2011 in her home after a long battle with cancer.

Her Legacy… She was born March 19, 1953 to Virgil and Revella (Breckler) Willitzer in Defiance. On June 14, 1975 she marred Tony Giesige. Mary was a homemaker and substitute for the New Bavaria...

Mar 9, 2011

Eugene John Zachrich age 89, of rural Holgate, died Wednesday afternoon, March 9, 2011 at the CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

His Legacy… He was born in Holgate June 21, 1921 to John Henry and Dorothy May (Smith) Zachrich. He unselfishly served in the United States Army during WWII, stationed in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and Philippine...

Mar 3, 2011

Judy A. Stober age 63, of Holgate died Thursday morning, March 3, 2011 at the Golden Living Center Northcrest after a long and courageous battle with MS.

Her Legacy… She was born December 7, 1947 to Ralph and Alice Stacy in Tiffin, Oh. She graduated from Brookhaven High School, Columbus, Oh. in 1965. On June 7, 1969...

Feb 24, 2011

Dinah Ann (Freese) Kruse, 67, of Hamler, Ohio, passed on to her heavenly reward on February 24, 2011, at her home surrounded by her family. Her Legacy… Dinah was born on May 18, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio, to Russell and Ruth Freese. She grew-up in the Columbus area and attended North High School and later graduated from Worthington High...

Feb 16, 2011

Betty D. Schroeder, age 79, of Defiance, died Wednesday morning, February 16, 2011 at The Laurels of Defiance.

Her Legacy… She was born December 8, 1931 to Paul H. and Dorthea (Badenhop) Meyer in Holgate, Monroe Township. She graduated from Holgate High School in 1949 and went on to attain her Bachelors Degree from the Defiance College....

Feb 10, 2011

Mary Jane Krogman, age 65, died in her Holgate home, surrounded by her family, Thursday morning, February 10, 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

Her Legacy… She was born March 27, 1945 in Defiance to Gershal Henry and F. Alberta (Frederick) Andrew. She completed her education at Florida School and attended Northwest State Community College. OnOctober...

Jan 29, 2011

Helen C. Bostelman, age 94, of Holgate died Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.

Her Legacy… She was born December 17, 1916 in Holgate to Frank and Amelia (Huber) Armbruster. Helen graduated from Florida High School in 1934. On May 18, 1935 she married Harry Bostelman and he died June 20, 1968. She was...

Jan 19, 2011

Stephen C. Cooper, age 49, of Holgate, died at his residence Wednesday morning, January 19, 2011.

His Legacy… He was born to Lloyd and Madonna (Like) Cooper, the son of Donna Cooper. He was born April 22, 1961 in Columbus, Ohio. Steve worked for CSX Railroad for 25 years. On November 10, 1991 he married Donna Gerschutz....