Obituaries

Jill L. Witherow

Sep 13, 2024

Jill L. (McCollum) Witherow, 78, of Van Wert, died Friday, September 13, 2024, at her residence. She was born on March 1, 1946, in Van Wert, to Carl W. and Cleora (Bury) McCollum. On October 8, 1966, she married Carl P. "Butch" Witherow.

Jill retired in 2001 after working 25 years as a medical assistant for various local physicians.

A faithful member...

Kyle J.P. Wyandt

Sep 5, 2024

Kyle J.P. Wyandt, 38, of Van Wert, passed away Thursday morning, September 5, 2024, in Bluffton, Indiana.

He was born on February 17, 1986, in Van Wert, to Lisa (Wyandt) Baldwin.

Kyle worked at SESCO in Ft Wayne.

He is survived by his mother, Lisa Baldwin; a brother, Christian Baldwin; a step-brother, Cody Baldwin; uncles and aunts, Troy Kerns and Robin (Bill) Roop;...

Mark Smith

Sep 5, 2024

Mark W. Smith, of Warsaw, IN, passed away at the age of 65 on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Stillwater Hospice Home in Fort Wayne after suffering a debilitating stroke. Born on October 17, 1958, in Van Wert, OH, he was the son of the late Richard and Karen (Brockert) Smith. Graduating from Lincolnview High School in 1977, Mark married...

Carol Thomas

Sep 4, 2024

Carol Thomas, 82, passed away on September 4, 2024, at Vancrest of Van Wert. She was born on April 1, 1942 in Van Wert, to the late Ilvin H. and Greta E. "Myers" Sheets.

On March 17, 1962, Carol married the love of her life, Louis Thomas, who preceded her in death. Carol was an avid genealogist, and enjoyed quilting and...

Donna E. (Turnwald) Long

Aug 29, 2024

Donna E. (Turnwald) Long, 65, of Van Wert, died at 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne.

She was born on August 11, 1959, to Leonard and Armella (Verhoff) Turnwald. On May 3, 1980, she married Stephen J. Long.

Donna was a retired retail specialist and buyer for Front Porch Gifts at Derry Drugs and...

Karen S. (Mohr) Butler

Aug 26, 2024

Karen S. Butler, 81, of Van Wert, passed away on August 26, 2024, at the OSU Wexner Medical Center, in Columbus, Ohio. Born on January 6, 1943, in Van Wert, to Kendall and Ursula (Dougal) Mohr.

Karen is survived by her loving spouse, John D. Butler; her devoted daughters, Jenny (Craig) Hill of Hurricane, West Virginia and Cindy (Ned) Compton of...

Ronald D. Cook

Aug 16, 2024

Ronald D. Cook, 89, of Van Wert, died at 10:25 am on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Vancrest of Van Wert.

He was born September 20, 1934, in Chicago, to Marjorie G. Close.

Ronald graduated from Wren High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean War.

He retired from International Harvester after 30 years of service.

Ronald...

Archie B. Shrum

Aug 13, 2024

Archie B. Shrum, 88, of Van Wert, passed away early Tuesday morning, August 13, 2024, at his residence, surrounded by his family.

He was born March 30, 1936, in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, the son of Orville and Bessie (Beason) Shrum.

On August 18, 1956, he married the former Jacquelyn S. Geisman. She preceded him in death on August 30, 2021.

Archie retired from...

Carol Leathers

Aug 12, 2024

Carol E. Leathers, 88, of Van Wert, peacefully passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024. She was born on February 21, 1936, in Van Wert, to the late Poe and Grace (Smith) Doner. On October 9, 1965, Carol married the love of her life, John Leathers, who passed away on May 31, 1989.

A proud graduate of Van Wert High School,...

Jeremy M. Sadzewicz

Aug 8, 2024

Jeremy M. Sadzewicz, 44, of Van Wert, died Thursday evening, August 8, 2024, at Ohio Health Van Wert.

He was born March 30, 1980, in Silver City, New Mexico, to John Sadzewicz and Paula (Walls) Ybarra.

He married the former Kelly Bristow.

Jeremy loved riding his motorcycle, fishing and playing corn hole and beer pong. Most importantly, Jeremy was a proud father. All...

Gene P. Goodwin

Aug 8, 2024

Gene P. Goodwin, 88,of Van Wert, Ohio, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 8:50am at Van Wert Manor.

He was born October 3, 1935, the son of the late Paul R. and Wanda A. (Wiseman) Goodwin.

He married Donnalee J. (Parsons) Allen in 1972 and she survives.

Other surviving family members include, Lori J. (Mark Geier) Goodwin, Rick L....

Jerry E. Fisher

Jul 29, 2024

Jerry Eugene Fisher, 82, of Van Wert, died Monday evening, July 29, 2024, at Ohio Health in Van Wert.

He was born on January 3, 1942, in Van Wert, to Harry and Louise (Sherman) Fisher. Jerry married the former Rosalyn Coffelt. She preceded him in death in 1987. Then, in 1997, he married Judy (Brewer). She survives in Van Wert.

Jerry retired...

William Dwayne Ratliff

Jul 25, 2024

William Dwayne Ratliff, 56, of Van Wert, died at 10:09 am on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Mercy-St. Rita's Hospital in Lima.

He was born November 15, 1967, in Paulding, to William Farmer Ratliff and Shirley Jean (Hall) Lippi.

William was a truck driver with many years of service.

He enjoyed Singing and playing the guitar, hunting, fishing and racing. He never knew...

Carol Koenig

Jul 23, 2024

Carol J. Koenig, of Middle Point, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, the day after her 58th birthday, while vacationing in Memphis, TN. She was born July 22, 1966, in Lima, to her late father Eugene V. "Skip" Heffner and her mother, Nancy (Horman) Martin.

Carol attended Van Wert High School and graduated from Vantage Career Center in...

Donald B. Harter

Jul 23, 2024

Donald B. Harter, 68, of Ohio City, died at 7:20 am on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Van Wert on January 18, 1956, to Max D. and Virginia "Ginny" (Scott) Harter. On April 17, 1982, he married the former Kimberly High.

He retired in 2019 as owner/operator of Harter Farm Drainage.

Donnie enjoyed attending Detroit Lions...

Vernon Pontsler

Jul 22, 2024

Vernon D. Pontsler, 89, of Van Wert, died at 8:48 pm on Monday, July 22, 2024, at Van Wert Manor. He was born July 24, 1934, in Rockford, Ohio, to the late Charles William and Grace Helen (Sharp) Pontsler. On January 29, 1955, he married the former Shirley Tomlinson. Together, they shared nearly 70 years of marriage.

He retired...

Judith Germann

Jul 17, 2024

Judith M. Germann, 92, of Van Wert, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Lima Memorial Hospital. She was born on December 19, 1931 to Donald & Ruby (Sterling) Putt of Middle Point, who preceded her in death.

In 1949, Judy graduated from Middle Point High School and was a cheerleader for three years for the Middle Point Polar Bears....

Joseph Drayton

Jul 14, 2024

Joseph R. Drayton, Sr, known to many as the Tire Man, passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at the age of 59 in Rockford, OH. He was born on May 3, 1965, in Toledo, to his late parents, Charles E. Drayton and Mary E. (Drake) Layman.

Joseph was a talented mechanic whose love for cars and trucks was evident in...

Jill Rabe

Jul 12, 2024

Jill Irene Rabe, 73, of Rockford, passed away on July 12, 2024, Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater, OH. She was born on October 23, 1950, in Celina, to the alte Merle Ray and Ann Irene (Bollenbacher) Rabe.

In addition to her parents, Jill was preceded in death by her brothers, Kevin Rabe and Blaine Rabe.

Jill was laid to rest privately...

Carolyn Harp

Jul 12, 2024

Carolyn Sue Harp, 82, of Middle Point, OH, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2024 at Van Wert Manor after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She was born January 19, 1942, in Saint Marys, OH to the late Harold and Elsie (Pollock) Long.

A 1960 graduate of Van Del High School's last graduating class, Carolyn tied the knot with...