Obituaries

June 9, 2023

William Charles “Bill” Aelker age 86, of New Bavaria, died Friday, June 9, 2023 at the Defiance Area In-Patient Hospice Center.

His Legacy… He was born August 6, 1936 to Charles and Frances Schuller.  He graduated from Holgate High School in 1954.  In August of 1955 he enlisted with the United States Army and was discharged in...

May 26, 2023

Mary Lee Swatek (Connolly), age 68, resident of Defiance, OH, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2023.

Mary was born on May 27, 1954 in Defiance, Ohio. She graduated from Defiance High School in 1972. Mary spent a great portion of her life caring for family and others and was employed as a caregiver working for Easy...

May 25, 2023

Melvin Carl Leaders age 76, of Defiance, died Thursday morning, May 25, 2023 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo.

His Legacy… He was born April 15, 1947 to Richard and Dorothy (Cordes) Leaders in Defiance.  He graduated from Ayersville High School in 1965.  He attended Geogia Tech   in electrical...

May 21, 2023

Juan Torres age 87, of Manistee, MI died Sunday, May 21, 2023 at the Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, MI.

His Legacy… He was born March 8, 1936 in San Benita, TX to Manuel and Manuela (Ledesma) Torres.  Juan was employed with General Motors for 25 years. After...

May 19, 2023

William “Bill” Giesige age 79, passed away Friday night, May 19, 2023, in his Ayersville residence surrounded by family.

His Legacy… Bill was born July 27, 1943 to Charles and Edna (Okuley) Giesige in Holgate.  He graduated from Holgate High School.  On January 22, 1964 he enlisted with the...

May 16, 2023

John Delventhal age 63, of Napoleon died May 16 at Northcrest Rehab and Nursing, Napoleon.  There will not be any services.

May 6, 2023

Beverly J. Gill age 62, of New Bavaria, died Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Hospice of Central Ohio, Columbus.

Her Legacy… She was born November 2, 1960 to Earl and Betty (Okuly) Burkhart in Napoleon.  She graduated from Holgate High School in 1979.  On July 26, 1980 she married...

May 1, 2023

Miguel M. Urdiales age 85, of Defiance, died Monday, May 1, 2023.

His Legacy… He was born October 8, 1937 to Matias and Natalia (Moreno) Urdiales in Colorado City, TX.  On February 7, 1959 he married Margaret Herrera in Angola, IN.  He was a member of St. John’s Catholic...

May 1, 2023

Michael Joseph Chadwick age 70, of Defiance, died peacefully at Mercy Defiance Hospital on Monday, May 1, 2023.  He eagerly awaited the return of his Lord Jesus Christ.

His Legacy… Michael was born in Toledo on March 19, 1953 the son of Robert and Joan (Orth) Otting.  He graduated...

April 30, 2023

Pamela S. Smith age 75, died Sunday night, April 30, 2023 at the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

Her Legacy… She was born March 5, 1948 to Floyd and Velvery (Meyer) Peabody in Saginaw, MI.  Pamela graduated from Defiance High School in 1965 and the Defiance College in 1969...

April 30, 2023

Gladys D. Leaders age 93, of Holgate, died Sunday night, April 30, 2023 at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born July 5, 1929 to J. Orval and Hazel (Roth) Brinkman in New Bavaria.  She graduated from Holgate High School in 1947 and later that year she married...

April 29, 2023

Bonnie Lou Leaders age 84, of Holgate, died Saturday morning, April 29, 2023 at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born September 27, 1938 the daughter of Orville and Anna (Brown) Curns.  On August 18, 1955 she married Walter Leaders at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN.  Bonnie...

April 27, 2023

Elizabeth Dora Borstelman age 94, of Napoleon, died Thursday night, April 27, 2023 at Northcrest Rehab and Nursing.

Her Legacy… Liz was born January 21, 1929 to Henry J. and Erna (Wilkens) Koster in Wood County.  In 1948, she married Victor E. Borstelman.  She was a homemaker and member...

April 26, 2023

Robert L. Stevens age 68, of Holgate died Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at St. Vincent’s Mercy Medical Center, Toledo.

His Legacy… Robert was born November 29, 1954 to Robert T. and Ruby S. (Rettig) Stevens in Napoleon.  He graduated from Holgate High School in 1973.  Bob retired from Campbell...

April 20, 2023

Arlene E. McDougle age 89, of Ottawa and formerly of Holgate, died Thursday night, April 20, 2023 at the Meadows of Ottawa.

Her Legacy… She was born March 30, 1934 to Samuel and Emma (Fental) Hoops in Deshler.  She graduated from Deshler High School in 1953. Arlene married Reynold...

April 1, 2023

Bernadine Pauline Meyer, 91 of Hamler, Ohio, passed away on April 1, 2023 at Vancrest of Holgate.  She was born August 25, 1931 to Paulus and Caroline (Bindemann) Meyer in Marion Township, Henry County, Ohio.

Bernadine was a lifetime member of Hope Lutheran Church, Hamler, and its WELCA group.  Bernadine loved crocheting, Bible...

March 29, 2023

Shirley Rose Westrick age 75, of New Bavaria, died Wednesday morning, March 29, 2023 at the Regency Hospital, Toledo.

Her Legacy… She was born November 23, 1947 to Herbert and Mildred (Kleman) Westrick in New Bavaria.  She graduated from Holgate High School in 1965.  She was a Caregiver at...

March 25, 2023

Richard Edward Tietje age 61, of Holgate, died Saturday afternoon, March 25, 2023 at the University of Toledo Medical Center.

He was born August 2, 1961 to Edwin and Irsel (Kinder) Tietje in Deshler.  Richard was a 1979 graduate of Patrick Henry High School.  He was a stay at home dad that enjoyed...

March 16, 2023

Dorothy Ellen (Ludeman) Lanzer, 94, of Hamler, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2023.

Dorothy was born September 25, 1928, in Napoleon, Ohio, to Alma S. (Bockelman) and Fred A. Ludeman. She married Herbert H. Lanzer May 16,1948.

She leaves behind two daughters Lynette Haiflich and Marcia Nighswander; one grandson David (Robin) Lanzer; one great-grandson...

February 26, 2023

Ceredo, WV  -   Lawrence E. Niese (Formerly of Miller City, OH), 62, passed away February 26, 2023 at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, WV.   He was born in Lima, OH on April 1, 1960 to the late William and Mildred (Langhals) Niese. Lawrence was a 1979 graduate of Miller City High School.

Lawrence is survived by five sisters,...