Obituaries

Everett J. "Jr." Thatcher

Feb 16, 2024

Everett J. "Jr" Thatcher, 88, of Convoy, passed away Friday evening, February 16, 2024.

He was born December 4, 1935, in Van Wert, to Everett "George" and Sylvia (Prichard) Thatcher.  He married the former Patricia L. Rodman.

Jr was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp and a member of the Van Wert American Legion.

He retired from Aeroquip, in Van Wert,...

Richard J. Barnett

Feb 15, 2024

Richard J. Barnett, 95, of Lima, passed away early Thursday morning, February 15, 2024, at Mercy Health- St. Rita's, in Lima.

He was born February 21, 1928, in Spencerville, Ohio, to the late Merle Barnett and Ruth (May) Lauth. On June 11, 1949, he married the former Dorothy Wilder.

Richard retired from A & P after many...

Robert Flynn

Feb 9, 2024

Robert J. Flynn, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, peacefully passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024, at his residence in Convoy, OH, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 29, 1977, in Decatur, IN, to his late parents, James Clay Flynn and Connie Flynn Richardson.

With an enduring love for his family, Robert cherished his role as...

Tommy A. Myers

Feb 9, 2024

Tommy A. Myers, a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, peacefully passed away on February 9, 2024, at the age of 79 at Lima Memorial. Born on October 5, 1944, in Van Wert, Ohio, Tommy brought joy and warmth to the lives of those around him. He resided in Convoy, Ohio, with his loving wife Diane Myers.

A 1962 graduate...

Cheryl Snider

Feb 6, 2024

Cheryl L. Snider, age 70, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at her home in Rockford, Ohio.

She was born December 31, 1953 in Celina, OH to the late Jack Vorhees and Sandra (Hatfield) Vorhees.

Cheryl graduated from Celina High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor's degree, and later her Master's degree, from Wright State University. She married Curt...

Raymond Manson

Feb 5, 2024

Raymond J. Manson, a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather peacefully passed away on February 5, 2024, at the age of 98. He was born on January 18, 1926, in Piqua, Ohio, to his late parents, Raymond L. and Ada (Jackson) Manson.

In 1943, during World War II and at the age of seventeen, Ray joined the Navy....

Hazel I. Garwood

Feb 4, 2024

Hazel I. (Rhodenbaugh) Garwood, 83, of Van Wert, passed away Sunday morning, February 4, 2024 at her residence with her family by her side. She was born in Van Wert on February 16, 1940, to Earl and Mildred (Mason) Rhodenbaugh. On November 12, 1960, she married Doyle Garwood.

She was a 1958 graduate of Van Wert High School.

Hazel retired from Sprint...

Nancy B. Gardner

Feb 4, 2024

Nancy B. Gardner, 77, of Van Wert, passed away on Sunday morning, February 4, 2024, at her residence. She was born February 25, 1946, in Van Wert, to Emmett L. and Mabel M. (Schul) Block. On September 11, 1965, she married George Sanford "Sandy" Gardner, he preceded her in death on August 30, 1988.

She retired as the owner/operator of Gardner's...

Donald M. Chiles

Jan 28, 2024

Donald M. Chiles, 77, of Van Wert, passed away Sunday evening, January 28, 2024 at Ohio Health in Van Wert.

Don was born on July 2, 1946, in Lima, to Max and Faye (Roebuck) Chiles.  On March 5, 1966, he married the former Mary B. Coyle.

He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Europe, during the Vietnam War....

Walter Dean Froelich

Jan 25, 2024

Walter Dean Froelich, 95, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2024 at Vancrest Assisted Living in Van Wert, Ohio. He was born on November 28, 1928 in Twinsburg, Ohio to the late Marjorie and Walter Froelich.

As a youngster, Dean grew up in Twinsburg before the family moved to North Riverside, Illinois where he later graduated from Riverside-Brookfield High...

Phyllis Lininger

Jan 25, 2024

Phyllis L. Lininger, 93, of Van Wert, peacefully passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at CHP Inpatient Hospice in Defiance. Ohio. She was born on August 15, 1930, in Van Wert, Ohio, to her parents John C. and Mary (Tribolet) Tomlinson.

Phyllis was a proud graduate of Ridge High School in the class of 1948. On April 17, 1949, she...

Ronald D. "Bubba" Owens

Jan 24, 2024

Ronald D. "Bubba" Owens, 84, of Venedocia, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at Ohio Health, in Van Wert.

He was born July 16, 1939, in Lima, to Richard and Romaine (Yoh) Owens. He married Carol Owens, who preceded him in death. On June 2, 1990, he married Barb (Waltz) Owens.

Ron retired from Kennedy Manufacturing in Van Wert. He had...

Joell Parker

Jan 23, 2024

Lynda "Joell" (Miller) Parker, 53, of Celina passed away on January 23, 2024 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 30, 1970 in Kettering, Ohio to Eva Bess (Coffelt) Miller of Bluffton, Indiana, and the late Joseph A. Miller.

On September 14, 2013 she married Charles "Randy" Parker. Together they shared lots of great memories.

Joell worked...

Alfred L. Tangeman

Jan 17, 2024

Alfred L Tangeman, 96 of Van Wert, OH passed away peacefully on Jan 17th, 2024, in Fort Wayne, IN. Al was born July 6th, 1927, in Van Wert and a lifelong resident. He was a Medic in the Army on the base at Ft. Lewis, WA. He worked for 43 years at the Continental Can. He was a gifted woodworker...

Gregory Whisman

Jan 13, 2024

 

Gregory Reed Whisman,66, of Van Wert, passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Van Wert Hospital ER. He was  born on December 14, 1957, in Batesville, IN, to Dorsie R. and Mary Elizabeth (Dobson) Whisman.

Gregory, known to family and friends as Greg, had a passion for craftsmanship which led him to a career in carpentry. With his...

Kenneth Imler

Jan 11, 2024

Michael Imler, age 44, of Ohio City, died on the evening of Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Lutheran Downtown Hospital in Fort Wayne. Born on August 30, 1979, in Van Wert, Mike was the cherished son of James Imler and Beckey (Gaskill) Ladd.

A 1998 graduate of Wayne Trace High School, Mike currently worked at Teijan Automotive and was a...

Don Thomas

Jan 6, 2024

Don Gene Thomas, 94, of Van Wert, died Saturday morning, January 6, 2024, at the Van Wert Manor.

He was born April 25, 1929, in Van Wert, to Forest Andrew Thomas and Violet Caroline (Brotherwood) Heath.

A 1948 Van Wert High School graduate, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Bartlett. She passed away March 1, 2020....

Trudy E. (Ringwald) O'Daffer

Jan 4, 2024

Trudy E. (Ringwald) O'Daffer, 76, of Middle Point, passed away at 5:20 am on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Lima Memorial Hospital.

She was born January 19, 1947, in Van Wert, to Carl and Irene (Baker) Ringwald. Trudy went on to graduate from Lincolnview High School in 1967. On August 24, 1973, she married the love of her life, Albert...

Pamela Waltmire

Jan 3, 2024

Pamela Sue (Custer) Waltmire, 65, of Van Wert, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at her residence.

She was born April 21, 1958, in Van Wert, to Allen "Whitey" and Joan (Welker) Custer. On May 28, 1993, she married Robert D. Waltmire.

Pam retired from Central Insurance Company, in Van Wert, after 39 years of service.

She attended First...

Daniel Keirns

Dec 31, 2023

Daniel William Keirns, of Van Wert, passed away on December 31, 2023 at Van Wert Health Emergency Room, at the age of 66, from complications of long-term heart disease. Born on August 3, 1957, in Van Wert, Ohio, he was the son of the late William and Mary Ellen (Boley) Keirns. Dan was receiving care and rehabbing at Van Wert...