All Obituaries

Antonio “Tony” Benavidez, 79, of Union City, Ohio, formerly of Van Wert, passed away at 2:51 A.M. on Sunday, February, 17, 2019 at Lutheran Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born January 15, 1940 in Nixon, Texas, to the late Ramon and Herlinda (Trigo) Benavidez. After graduating high school, Tony served in the United States Air Force, during which time he married the love of his life, Oralia Garza on June 29, 1963. Together, they came to Van Wert in 1965 where Tony began...

Brandy S. (Hartman) Burton, 41, of Van Wert, passed away the evening of Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Van Wert Health Emergency Room. She was born March 19, 1977, in Van Wert, to Randy Hartman and Pamela Sue (Custer) Waltmire. A 1996 graduate of Van Wert High School, Brandy enjoyed playing Bingo and going camping. She also loved going to Thoroughbred horse races. Most recently, Brandy worked as a Pink Zebra Consultant. She was a wonderful mother, daughter and granddaughter who adored her...

Emmett E. Gehres, 78, of Van Wert died Monday afternoon, February 4, 2019 in Van Wert.  He was born April 13, 1940 in Mendon, Ohio to the late Paul Gehres and the late Mildred (Fox) Siders.  Emmett and his sister, Carolyn Nimtz of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, were raised by their late grandparents, Emmett and Jessie Fox.  On November 4, 1961 he married Connie S. Fegley and she preceded him in death on April 12, 2003.  He later married Cheryl Keysor Gehres and she survives of Van...

Dwayne C. Brown, 61, of Van Wert died at 1:40 PM on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.  He was born October 10, 1957 to the late Leslie L. Brown, Sr. and Roxie L. (Brown) Brown who survives in Van Wert.  He married Pamela I. Betser and she survives in Van Wert. He is also survived by two sons, Joshua and Jeremy Brown both of Van Wert; a brother, Leslie L. Brown, Jr of Van Wert; and sisters, Lucinda S. (John V.) Wallace and Jenny A. (Mark A.)...

Vernon D. Murray, 68, of Delphos, Ohio died at 6:51 PM on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Lima Memorial Hospital.  He was born July 15, 1950 to the late Roy Murray and Dorothy (Keihl) Murray who survives in Delphos.  On February 1, 1991 he married Mary E. Gilroy and she survives in Delphos. Vernon retired from I & K Distributors in Delphos.  He is a United States Army Sargent veteran of the Vietnam war.  Vernon is a life member of the Spencerville V.F.W., a former member...

Paul O. Swartz, 103, of Ft. Jennings, Ohio died at 1:50 AM on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at his daughter’s residence.  He was born May 26, 1915 in Jackson Township, Van Wert County to the late Orn B. and Ruby (Brown) Swartz.  On February 10, 1937 he married Francis O. Price and she preceded him in death on April 14, 1993.  Paul was a lifetime farmer.  He was a member, elder, trustee, song leader, sang in the Ambassador Quartet, and served as secretary and trustee...

Betty J. Booher, 85, of Grover Hill, Ohio died at 11:52 AM on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Van Wert Health.  She was born June 27, 1933 in Middle Point, Ohio to the late Allen “Mossy” and Alta (Long) Brown.  On May 8, 1954 she married Jack E. Booher and he preceded her in death on March 12, 1982. Betty retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation in Paulding County in 1999.  She had also drove school bus for Wayne Trace Local Schools. She is survived by...

Leah A. Shaw, 82, of Van Wert, died at 8:25 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, at her daughter’s residence surrounded by her loving family. Leah was born June 23, 1936, in Decatur, Indiana, to Edward E. May and Isabelle (Swygart) Morris. On Dec. 19, 1964, she married Dewey C. Shaw, Jr. who proceeded her in death on March 8, 2008. Leah left high school to go into the workforce to help care for her mother and siblings after the sudden death of her father. She retired from Kennedy...

Thomas M. Webster, 76, of Van Wert passed away peacefully at 8:20 PM on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at his residence after a lengthy illness. He was born April 23, 1942, in Tonawanda, NY to his late parents, Willis Webster and Mary (Meier) Webster VanEtten. Thomas served his country as a veteran of the United States Navy. Before being discharged, he married the love of his life, Trudy L. McCoy on December 10, 1963. As a veteran, he was a member of the American Legion. Tommy loved...

Thomas Ryan Searles, 31, of Rockford, passed away unexpectedly at 3:45 AM, Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was born August 6, 1987 to Carolyn Sue (Williams) Searles and Tommy M. Searles. Thomas married Melissa J. Haddox on August 18, 2009. As a music lover, Thomas played drums and used to rap free-style. He was an adrenalin junkie and thrill seeker that always pushed the limits, whether it was riding ATV’s, skateboarding off of the roof, or giving his...