Obituaries

October 26, 2021

Lavon Charles Wiseman age 89, of Defiance, died Tuesday morning, October 26, 2021 at Laurels of Defiance.

His Legacy… He was born December 27, 1931 to Ray and Fannie (Shuler) Wiseman in Defiance.  Lavon enlisted with the Army during the Korean Conflict.  On April 24, 1954, he married Jean...

October 16, 2021

Janet R. Bichan age 84, of Bellefontaine and formerly of Hamler, died Saturday evening at Logan Acres Care Center of Bellefontaine.

Her Legacy… Janet was born August 28, 1937 to Howard and Laura (Rettig) Armbruster in rural Napoleon.  She graduated from Florida High School in 1955.  On December 6,...

September 29, 2021

Caroline Hoffman age 95, of Holgate, died Wednesday evening, September 29, 2021 at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born February 8, 1926 to Herman and Emilie (Badenhop) Gerken in Napoleon.  On April 20, 1947, she married Eugene Albert Hoffman in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Freedom Township.  She...

September 29, 2021

Margaret L. Gerken age 96, of Hamler, died early Wednesday morning, September 29, 2021 at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born September 7, 1925 to Clarence and Helen (Swihart) Lieb in Hamler.  She graduated from Hamler High School.  On October 27, 1984, she married Reinhold F. Gerken. ...

September 28, 2021

Allan Charles Birchmeier age 57, of Napoleon, died Tuesday morning at McLaren St. Luke's Hospital, Maumee after a lengthy illness.

His Legacy… Allan was born June 14, 1964 to Larry and Shirley (Rosendaul) Birchmeier in Emporia, KS.  Allan graduated from Holgate High School in 1983.  He was a welder...

September 9, 2021

Clifford Thomas Raines Sr, 93, died unexpectedly September 2, 2021, at Alvarado Hospital. He was born July 18, 1928, in New York, the son of Herbert Walton and Catherine Christina (Myers) Raines.

Cliff attended Franklin K. Lane High School in New York and Syracuse University.  The computer world fascinated him early on.  His computer career started with...

September 5, 2021

June Violet Bostelman age 87, of Defiance, died Sunday, September 5, 2021 at the Defiance Area In-patient Hospice Center.

Her Legacy… June was born “June” 4, 1934 to Earl and Bessie (Wallace) Smith in McClure.  On July 19, 1952, she married LeRoy “John” Bostelman.  John died on October 5,...

August 26, 2021

Joe Salaz age 66, of Holgate died Thursday morning, August 26, 2021 at the Defiance Area In-patient Hospice Center.

His Legacy… Joe was born July 13, 1955 to Jose and Calletana (Cabrera) Salaz in Lima.  He graduated from Holgate High School in 1974.  Joe served with the United States...

August 17, 2021

Daniel Ray “Dusty” Richard age 74, of New Bavaria, passed away Tuesday evening, August 17, 2021 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo.

His Legacy… Dan was born in Defiance on March 29, 1947 to Ora and Wilma (Jackman) Richard.  On March 9, 1966, Dusty married Carolyn Faye...

August 16, 2021

John D. Purdy age 51, died Monday, August 16, 2021 in his New Bavaria home.

John was born August 14, 1970 to Robert and Carol (Butler) Purdy in Lima.  He graduated from Holgate High School/Four County Career Center in 1988.  He was employed by Campbell Soup Company for 30 years.

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July 15, 2021

Janice Cain age 77, of New Bavaria, died Thursday, July 15, 2021 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical in Toledo.

Her Legacy… Janice was born 1943 to Byron and Ruth (Steingass) Bauer in Napoleon.  She graduated from Holgate High School in 1961.  On September 22, 1962 she married Eugene Cain. ...

July 2, 2021

Edward C. Pilger, age 76, of Hamler, received his Heavenly wings on Friday, July 2, 2021.

His Legacy… Ed was born October 20, 1944 in Syracuse, NY to Edgar A. and Mary H. (Jurecki) Pilger.  Ed graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Syracuse, NY.  He unselfishly served our great...

June 29, 2021

Dominic Vincent passed peacefully in the arms of family on June 29, 2021 at St. Rita's Mercy Health, Lima, OH.

He was born at 12:02 a.m. when he met the eyes of the Lord and became the family's guardian angel. Dominic was the son of Lukas and Christine Schroeder (Rieman). He is survived...

June 27, 2021

Bob was born June 20, 1928 to Elmer and Laurena (Zachrich) Baker in the same house that he lived in all his life.  He had 3 brothers and 2 sisters.  Arthur (Florence) Baker; Erma (William) Schliesser; Arnold (Gladys) Baker; Lester (Marilyn) Baker; Leora (Fred) Helmke.

He graduated from Holgate High School in 1946. ...

June 17, 2021

Harold Ellsworth Leiter, III age 71, of Sylvania, died Thursday evening at the Defiance In-patient Hospice Center.

His Legacy… Harold was born August 17, 1949 to Harold Ellsworth, Sr. and Lillian Frances (Sradeja) Leiter in Toledo.  He graduated from Start High School.  On April 27, 1985, he married Tina...

June 2, 2021

Rita Marie Oedy, 95, (nee Schroeder) of Genesis Village in Toledo, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.

Rita was the beloved wife of the late Clifton B. Oedy; daughter of her deceased parents, Vincent and Anne Schroeder; sister of Cleo (deceased) (Kathleen) Schroeder, Leona (Charles) Korte, Harold...

May 25, 2021

Kimber Lee Williamson  age 65, died Tuesday afternoon, May 25, 2021 in his rural Hamler home.

His Legacy… Kim was born August 4, 1955 to Kenneth and Pat Prowant Williamson in Lima. He graduated from Continental High School in 1973.  Kimber served as a United States Marine from May...

May 21, 2021

Samuel Medina, Sr. 45, of Hamler passed away peacefully on May 21, 2021 at The OSU Richard Ross Heart Hospital in Columbus.  He was born May 11, 1976 to Juan Medina, Jr. and Irma (Quintero) Medina in Defiance.  Sam graduated from Holgate High School in 1995.  He worked at Campbell’s Soup Company, attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church...

May 19, 2021

Anna J. Bordner 89, of Holgate passed away peacefully on May 19, 2021 at the Toledo Hospital.  She was born February 17, 1932 to Elmer O. Bond and Marie (Flentje) Bond in Defiance.  Anna graduated from Defiance High School in 1950.  She married her high school sweetheart, Lowell Bordner, on October 23, 1950.  She worked at Holgate...

May 18, 2021

Jerzi Rae-Lynn Harris age 13, died in her Holgate home on May 18, 2021.  Visitation will be at Harvest Fellowship on Saturday, May 29, 2021 from 9-11:00 am with the Celebration of her Life at 11:00 am.