Obituaries

Jun 1, 2022

Nellie L. Retcher age 91, died Wednesday evening, June 1, 2022 in her rural Holgate home.

Her Legacy… She was born January 23, 1931 to George and Zelma (Laubenthal) Sauer.  On January 31, 1948, she married Clarence “Joe” Retcher.  She was a homemaker and life member of Emanuel’s Christian...

May 21, 2022

Carlton Harold Bauer age 85, died in his Holgate home, with his three children by his side,on Saturday morning, May 21, 2022.

His Legacy… He was born April 15, 1937 to Carl A. and Helen E. (Helmke) Bauer in Jewell.  He graduated from Jewell High School in 1955.  On...

May 18, 2022

Hortencia (“Tencha”) Espinoza Torres, 91, of Holland, Ohio, was born November 3, 1930, and passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 peacefully in her sleep at St. Clare Commons in Perrysburg, Ohio.

She was born to Manuel Sr. and Eulalia Espinoza in San Juan, Texas. Married Jose Santos Torres on June 4, 1951...

May 16, 2022

Patricia Lee Detmer was born August 1, 1935, in Terre Haute, Indiana, and passed away on May 16, 2022, at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… Pat was the daughter of John and Mildred Flocken Gillespie and grew up in Napoleon, Ohio. She met and married the love of her...

May 13, 2022

Mr. Gerold Miller, age 83, of Napoleon, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2022.  Gerold was born March 27, 1939 to Mia (Pfiffner) Miller and Benno Pfiffner in Augsburg, Germany.  Gerold came to the United States in 1947.  His mother, Mia, married Edmond Miller in 1948 and helped raise Gerold.  He became a US citizen in 1955....

May 12, 2022

Dennis Lester Clausen age 55, of Holgate died Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022 at a friend’s rural Holgate home.

His Legacy… Dennis was born December 7, 1966 to Leo and Juanita (Bauer) Clausen in Napoleon.  In 1985, he graduated from Napoleon High School.  Dennis was a career truck driver/heavy...

Apr 27, 2022

Rebecca “Becky” Lynn Bevins age 65, died Wednesday afternoon, April 27 at the Defiance Area In-patient Hospice Center.

Her Legacy… She was born October 27, 1956 to Victor M. and Frieda I. (Wirz) Wells in Defiance.  In 1974, she graduated from Defiance High School/Four County Career Center.  Just a...

Apr 22, 2022

Robert “Bud” Nixon, Jr. died April 22, 2022 in his Defiance home.  He was born March 1, 1943 to the late Robert John and Betty Jean (Harman) Nixon, Sr. in Noblesville, IN.  He married Patti Carey.  She died on October 16, 2020.  Services will be private.

Apr 15, 2022

Frank Ballard age 78, of Holgate, died April 15, 2022 at the Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Frank was born October 22, 1943 to Russel and Elsie (Clapp) Ballard in Wauseon.  He graduated from Napoleon High School and attended Davis Junior College, Toledo.  He enlisted with the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge,...

Apr 10, 2022

Mary K. Miley age 77, of Holgate, died Sunday, April 10, 2022 at St. Vincent’s Mercy Medical Center, Toledo surrounded by loved ones.

Her Legacy… Mary was born October 13, 1944 in Napoleon to Charles and Sylvia (Naveau) Knapp.  In 1962, she graduated from Napoleon High School.  On July...

Apr 9, 2022

Ellen “Marie” Gustwiller age 92, of Holgate and formerly 64 years in New Bavaria, died Saturday morning, April 9, 2022 at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born May 4, 1929 to Carl and Golda (Warner) Jones.  In 1947, she graduated from Defiance High School.  On June 9,...

Apr 4, 2022

Paul Eric Hilton age 58, died at his New Bavaria home Monday, April 4, 2022. His Legacy… Paul was born August 17, 1963, to Perry Ellis and Eva Arlene (Kline) Hilton in Michigan City, IN. He graduated from Westville High School, Westville, IN and enlisted with the United States Army in 1981. He served in...

Apr 4, 2022

Marilyn “Sue” Chapman age 68, died in her Napoleon home April 4, 2022.

Sue was born one of thirteen children on October 8, 1953 to John and Hazel (Vanhorn) Ranes in Leipsic.  She was a homemaker and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon.

Sue is survived by daughters: Rita...

Mar 31, 2022

Loretta K. Cramer age 96, of Holgate, died Thursday evening, March 31, 2022 at the Defiance Area In-patient Hospice Center.

Her Legacy… She was born August 11, 1925 to William and Sophia (Gobrogge) Fuhrhop in Deshler. Loretta graduated from Hamler High School.  Loretta married Harry John Cramer on November...

Mar 25, 2022

Ruth Alice Hall age 88, of Hamler, died Friday afternoon, March 25, 2022 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

Her Legacy… She was born September 22, 1933, in Liberty Center to James and Audrey (Hill) Tallman.  In July of 1965, she married Bill Hall.  First and foremost, she was...

Mar 25, 2022

Zachary Charles Waisner age 30, of Napoleon died unexpectantly at Mercy Defiance Hospital on Friday, March 25, 2022.

His Legacy… He was born December 26, 1991 to Tim and Amy (Schwartzengraber) Waisner in Defiance.  He graduated from Holgate High School/Four County in 2010.  Zach was a welder working for...

Mar 20, 2022

Elmer David Hogrefe age 89, died in his Napoleon home on Sunday morning, March 20, 2022.

His Legacy… Elmer was born May 24, 1932 to Albert and Lydia (Norden) Hogrefe in Freedom Township.  He graduated from Liberty Center High School.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force. On...

Feb 28, 2022

Lowell Evan Orthwein age 83, of Holgate died Monday, February 28, 2022 at Vancrest of Holgate.

His Legacy… Lowell was born September 24, 1938 in Holgate. He graduated from Holgate High School in 1956 and enlisted with the United States Navy.   On April 7, 1968, he married Donna Gallagher....

Feb 25, 2022

Randall Lee Smith age 65, of Hamler, died Friday, February 25, 2022 at Laurels of Defiance after a short battle with cancer.

His Legacy… Randy was born March 15, 1956 to Robert and Irene Smith in Defiance.  He graduated from Patrick Henry High School/Four County Career Center and was...

Feb 21, 2022

Lawrence “Larry” Christian Gerken, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on February 21, 2022, at the age of 76, at his winter home in Bradenton, Florida. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, educator, farmer, volunteer, community leader and friend.

Larry is survived by his wife, Alice (McCotter) Gerken; his children Liza (Steve) Schuller...