Obituaries

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...

Tamara Boyce

Dec 31, 2023

Tamara S. Boyce, a loving mother and devoted partner, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023, at the age of 64. Known as Tammy to her loved ones and friends, she was born on January 6, 1959, in Van Wert, to the late Dennis and Betty (Mackin) Kinkle.

Tammy lived a life filled with compassion and selflessness, always putting others...

Lance Hartman

Dec 29, 2023

Lance Mitchell Hale Hartman, age 30, of Convoy, Ohio, passed away at his home in Memphis, TN, on Friday, December 29th. He was born on September 21, 1993, in Whitley County, Kentucky, to Angela Hale of Kentucky and Michael (Sabrina) Hartman of Ottoville, who both survive him.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving sisters,...

Austin Davis

Dec 27, 2023

Austin E. Davis, age 30, of Van Wert, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 27, 2023 at Van Wert Hospital Emergency Room. Austin was born December 22, 1993, in Van Wert, to Russell Davis and Patty L. Pugsley Davis.

Austin loved riding his dirt bike and four-wheeler as well as playing video games. Above all, he adored his children and...

John V. Whited

Dec 26, 2023

John Whited, 73, went home to meet his father, in the early hours of December 26th, 2023. He was surrounded by family and close friends at his home in Ohio City in the days before his passing. He went on his journey home, peacefully, with his wife, daughter and brother-in-law at his side.

On March 7th 1950, John was born...

Sue E. McDowell

Dec 25, 2023

Sue E. McDowell, 62, of Van Wert, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Monday, December 25, 2023.

 

She was born August 9, 1961, in Van Wert, to the late Richard "Dick" Davis and Harriet Straley.

 

Sue is survived by her loving husband, Barry L. McDowell, whom she married on March 27, 1992. She also leaves...

Dorothy Sunderland

Dec 25, 2023

Dorothy A. Sunderland, 90, of Van Wert, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023 at Divine Nursing and Rehab at Shane Hill.

She was born on August 2, 1933, in New Breman, to the late Edgar and Olga (Hegemier) Moeller. On May 21, 1955, Dorthy married the love of her life, Thomas Sunderland who preceded her in death.

She retired...

Diane M. (Horner) Kill

Dec 22, 2023

Diane M. (Horner) Kill, 68, of Van Wert, passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, at 8:23 pm on Friday, December 22, 2023 at Mercy-St. Rita's in Lima, Ohio.

She was born on September 28, 1955, in Ft Wayne, Indiana, to Richard P. and Carolee (Schnelker) Horner. On June 16, 1978, she married the love of her life,...

Betty Bumbalough

Dec 21, 2023

Betty Jane Miller-Bumbalough, 98, of Celina, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at her residence in Celina. She was born on April 14, 1925, in Paulding, Ohio, to the late, Charles and Iva (Taylor) Hofacker. Betty lived a life filled with love, joy, and cherished moments with her family.

Betty dedicated her life to being a devoted homemaker,...