Obituaries
Local Obituaries for Holgate, OH and surrounding areas.
Michael L. Okuley
May 7, 2025
Michael "Mick" Okuley age 79, of New Bavaria, passed away Wednesday morning, May 7, 2025 at the Defiance In Patient Hospice Center after a short illness. Michael was born May 19, 1945 to Leo and Edna (Westrick) Okuley who preceded him in death. On April 15, 1967, he married Carol Sue Fortman who also preceded him in death on September...
Susanne Waisner
May 1, 2025
Susanne Holbrook Waisner was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on January 3rd, 1940 and died in Holgate, Ohio on May 1st, 2025. She was born to Stephen and Madeleine (Story) Rhodes and she had one sister, Marcia Pettine. Sue inherited her seafarer’s spirit from her father and learned to sail in the briny waters near Taunton and after graduation she came...
Earl Abshire
April 21, 2025
Earl Scott Abshire, aged 80, of Holgate, Ohio, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025, at Henry County Hospital in Napoleon, Ohio. Born on February 10, 1945, in Phyllis, Kentucky, Earl led a life characterized by dedication, service, and love for his family and community.
Earl was a proud graduate of Feds Creek High School in Feds Creek, Kentucky. He devoted...
Nancy M. Baker
April 4, 2025
Nancy Marie (Sanders) Baker age 76, died April 4, 2025 at St. Rita’s Hospital in Lima, OH after a brief illness.
Her Legacy… Nancy was born November 11, 1948 to Richard and Norma (Shearer) Sanders in Bryan, Ohio. She graduated from Bryan High School in 1967. On August 28, 1993, she married Samuel Baker in St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Defiance. She took...
Douglas Charles Wilhelm
March 29, 2025
Douglas Charles Wilhelm, fondly known as Doug, was born on December 20, 1949, in Toledo Ohio. A dedicated family man and a stalwart of his community, he left this world on March 29, 2025, in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by the love and warmth of his cherished family.
In a life that spanned more than seven decades, Doug...
Lois Gerken
March 26, 2025
Lois Gerken age 92, of Hamler, died March 26, 2025 at Vancrest of Holgate. She was born February 6, 1933 the daughter of George and Selma (Behnfeldt) Freytag. Survivors include children: Gary of Hamler, Elaine (Scott) DeTray of Hamler, Brenda (Rick) Brantley of Cartersville, GA and Kevin (Kelli) Gerken of Napoleon; sisters: Joan Bixler, Marilyn Wachtman and Erma (Erv) Haas...
Bill Sager
March 16, 2025
Bill Sager, a caring husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated community member, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2025 at the age of 86. He was born in Hamler, Ohio on July 24, 1938 where he spent his early years cultivating a spirit of fun and hard work that would follow him throughout his life.
Bill's educational journey began with his graduation...
Ruth K. Schuller
March 5, 2025
Ruth K. Schuller age 94, of Ottawa, died early Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the Meadows of Ottawa. She was born April 30, 1930 to the late Arthur and Martha Schuller. Also proceeding her in death are brothers Melvin, Norbert, Donald and Kenneth Schuller; along with sisters Helen Teeter, Lillian Rall and Martha Ann Caza. Surviving siblings are Lenora Kaufman...
Franzella Frankie Williams
February 27, 2025
Franzella Frankie Williams age 85, of Napoleon, died early Thursday morning, February 27, 2025 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. She was born September 13, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan. She was a homemaker and loving mother of four. There will be no services at this time. Arrangements are in care of the Zachrich Funeral Home and Cremation Services of...
Richard L. Niese
February 23, 2025
Richard L. Niese age 80, of Hamler, died Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2025 at the Henry County Hospital.
His Legacy… Richard was born December 9, 1944, to Ralph and Viola Niese in Leipsic. He graduated from Hamler High School and then served in the United States Army. On November 4, 1966 he married Sharon Young in Anniston, AL. He was a...
Mary Kay Walker
February 14, 2025
Mary Kay “PeeWee” Walker age 83, of Liberty Center, died Friday morning, February 14, 2025 at the Defiance In-patient Hospice Center.
PeeWee was born May 30, 1941 to Lawrence R. and Mary D. (Berry) Walker in Napoleon. She graduated from Napoleon High School. She was the owner of the former Frosty Whip in Napoleon.
She is survived by her siblings: Joyce Walker,...
Terunce Lee Prigge
February 9, 2025
Terunce Lee Prigge age 76, of rural Napoleon, died at 12:23 am on Sunday morning, February 9, 2025.
His Legacy… Terry was born June 4, 1948 to Donald Henry and Margaret Ann (Oehus) Prigge in Napoleon. He graduated from Florida/Napoleon High School in 1966. On May 9, 1970 he married Shirley Ann Waisner in St. John’s United Church of Christ, Holgate....
John William Okuly
January 3, 2025
June 5, 1973 – January 3, 2025
John William Okuly, 51, of Holgate, Ohio passed away on January 3, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter and cherished memories. John was born on June 5, 1973 to the late Ignatius W. (Bill) and Mary Jane (Beavers) Okuly. John was a 1992 graduate of Holgate High School. John is survived by...
Nancy Schuller
December 18, 2024
Nancy Schuller, a beloved community member and dedicated family woman, was born on October 15, 1948, in Napoleon. She graduated from Holgate High School in 1966 and pursued her passion for beauty, receiving a certificate from the Ma Chérie Beauty School in Toledo. For more than 30 years, she worked as a hairdresser starting out at Michaels' Hair Designs and...
Janet E. Baker
December 12, 2024
Jan Baker, 81, of Defiance passed away peacefully Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Laurels of Defiance.
Jan married Gayle Baker, who preceded her in death, on April 25, 1964, in Mansfield OH. She loved Bake dearly and has missed him for 14 years. She retired from the Defiance County Job & Family Services in 2009. After retirement Jan and her granddaughters...
Robert Purdy
December 8, 2024
Robert John Purdy age 81, died Sunday, December 8, 2024 at the Toledo Hospital.
Robert was born August 18, 1943 to John and Mary (Parks) Purdy. Bob married Carol Butler March 4, 1967.He was employed by Campbell Soup Company for 30 years, retiring in 2003. In his younger days, Bob enjoyed hunting and trapping. He led a simple life, spending time...
William "Bill" Schwab
December 8, 2024
William E. Schwab age 82, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2024, in his Holgate home. Bill was born September 23, 1942 to Elmer and Lillian (Okuly) Schwab. He lived his whole life in Holgate and graduated from Holgate High School in 1960, marrying his high school sweetheart Susan Kay Kline on February 10th, 1962. He was employed by Johns Manville,...
Richard Norris Spyker
November 29, 2024
Richard Norris Spyker (Spike) fell asleep in death in his home on Friday, November 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a short battle with Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma. He was a fighter to the very end.
Spike was born on August 25, 1934 in Denver, Colorado to Clem and Mildred Spyker. He was an only child. They moved several times...
Leslie Gene Washington
November 24, 2024
Leslie Gene Washington age 88, of Holgate, born on July 21, 1936, in Alamosa, Colorado, passed away on November 24, 2024 at the Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center. He leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and dedication to his family.
Les graduated from Mosca High School in Colorado in 1954 and furthered his education by earning an Associate's degree from Adams...
James Milton Myles
November 17, 2024
James Milton Myles, fondly known as Jim, departed this life November 17, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter and cherished memories. Born on October 30, 1964, in Defiance, Ohio, Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother. He graduated from Holgate High School in 1983, later obtaining his Associates Degree in diesel mechanics—a testament to his dedication...
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