All Obituaries

Charles F. “Chuck” Fallows, 63, of Middle Point, passed away at 7:45 a.m. Monday, June 18, 2018 at St. Rita’s Hospital. He was born January 31, 1955 in Van Wert, Ohio to the late Paul H. and Lorene (Swany) Fallows. A United States Navy Veteran, Chuck served on nuclear submarine during the Grenada Invasion.  He was a tool maker and machinist for Teleflex for 30 years before working with Schnipke Engraving Company. Chuck and Diana were avid travelers, having visited 48...

Linda L. Ralston, 71, of Van Wert, Ohio, passed away 5:56 AM Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Lima Memorial Hospital. She was born December 9, 1946 in Van Wert, Ohio to the late Robert E. and Lillian M. (Wagoner) Eversole. A 1965 graduate of Van Wert High School, Linda went on to marry the love of her life, Wendel L. Ralston. She was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church, and worked for herself, cleaning homes before working at the jewelry department at...

Joan M. Zinn, 87 died at 8:15 pm, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at the James Cancer Hospital. She was born April 5, 1931, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Harold and Mabel (Harris) McNamara. On June 17, 1950, in Convoy, she married Robert W. Zinn who preceded her in death on September 9, 2002.    Mrs. Zinn retired in 1993 from Teleflex, Inc. after working 25 years in the production control and accounting offices. She...

Janet Elaine (Sowers) Poling Ray, 92, of Troy and, formerly, of Van Wert entered heaven on May 28, 2018.  Janet was a homemaker, secretary with Eaton Corporation (Aeroquip), worked at the Van Wert Times-Bulletin newspaper, and also worked at the Continental Can Company as a young woman.  She was a devoted wife, loving mother, adoring grandma, supporting aunt, trophy-winning bowler, accomplished seamstress, and fun friend.  She was a member of the First United Methodist...

Ruth A. Speakman, of Delphos, went to meet her Lord and Savior Monday morning May 28, 2018.  She was born May 16,1955 in Van Wert, OH to her parents George “Tom” & Jennie L. (Foster) Speakman who are both deceased. Surviving are 3 sisters, Gina Speakman, Van Wert, OH, Linda Speakman, Delphos, OH, and Emma (Doug) Fosnaugh, Decatur, IN. Ruth was a Registered Nurse and retired as director of the LPN program @ Apollo Career Center, Lima, OH. Ruth...

Allen R. Pardon, 68, of Van Wert, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2018 surrounded by his loving family at his lake house in Burr Oak, Michigan. He was born March 22, 1950, in Romeo, MI, to Dwight John Pardon and Irene (Glass) Oakley, who both precede him in death. A fully disabled veteran, Allen served with the United States Army in Vietnam. Upon returning from active duty, Allen married the love of his life, Katherine E. Stevens. He went on to retire from Van Wert County Maintenance...

Coralie Eileen Severn Wilson, 92, of Van Wert, died May 22, 2018, at Hearth & Home of Van Wert.  She was born in Van Wert to Dane S. and Grace V. (Dreyer) Severn.  In 1946 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Van Wert, she married Robert (Bob) Warren Wilson.  They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2016 just weeks before his death.  Her first child, Clark, was stillborn.  She is survived by her children, Coralie A. Wilson, Mark (Ellen) Wilson and...

Deanna Kay Oechsle, 71, was called home to the Lord on Sunday morning May 20,2018.  She was born June 7, 1946 in Van Wert County, Ohio to James E. & Betty (Youtsey) Allen who preceded Deanna in death.  On June 6, 1967 she married Larry Paul Oechsle who survives.  Other survivors are a daughter Lori Lynn Straley, a grandson Jonathan Ryan (Brittany) Straley and one great grandson Jaxon Ryan Straley.  Also surviving is a brother James E. Allen of Van Wert and her two...

Richard “Dick” G. Preston, 86, of Van Wert, Ohio died at 8:15 PM on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.  He was born June 8, 1931 in Paulding County, Ohio to the late Eldon and Mildred (Mead) Preston.  On September 3, 1949 he married the former Virginia (Woebbeking) and she survives ofm  Van Wert. Dick’s legacy is most certainly his family.  In addition to Virginia, he is also survived by his 5 children, Sandee...

Melvin A. Maas, 84, of Van Wert, Ohio, went to his Heavenly home at 10:42 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018 in Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born July 2, 1933 in Menno, South Dakota to the late Edmund and Hedwig (Schamber) Maas. On June 7, 1957, Mel married Carol Hershberger and she survives.​ ​Mel is survived by his four children, Collette (Steve) Carcione of Van Wert, Steve Maas of Fort Wayne, IN, Margie (Don) Taylor of Troy and Diane...