Obituaries

Christopher Kirk

Feb 25, 2025

Christopher L. Kirk, 37, of Van Wert, left us unexpectedly on February 25, 2025, after a brief illness. Born on February 20, 1988, in Lima, Ohio, Chris was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

Chris was known for his knack for fixing just about anything. Whether it was working on cars and trucks or building something from scratch, he...

Rose-Marie Simpson

Feb 25, 2025

Rose-Marie "Posie" Adams Simpson, 97, died December 8, 2024 in Pineville, North Carolina.

She formerly lived in Paulding and Van Wert, Ohio, as well as Port Charlotte, Florida. She was born July 9, 1927 in Van Wert County to the late Glen and Cora (Wollett) Adams. On January 11th, 1986 she married Wilbur E. Simpson who preceded her in death in...

Marie J. Gift

Feb 24, 2025

Marie J. Gift, 83, of Van Wert, passed away Monday, February 24, 2025, at Van Wert Manor. She was born January 18, 1942, in Washington, Pennsylvania, to Mary Brookman. She married Robert Gift, Sr.

She is survived by two sons, Robert Gift, Jr. and Mark Gift; a granddaughter, Deanna Bower; a great granddaughter, Natalie Davenport; and a brother, James McCoy.

Marie was...

Bart Williams

Feb 23, 2025

Bart E. Williams, 63, of Lima, Ohio passed away suddenly Sunday February 23, 2025 at Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center. He was born July 24, 1961 and was the son of Peggy (Hawk) Williams of Rockford, Ohio and the late Benny G. Williams.

Bart worked for the Ohio prison system and retired as a Lieutenant from the...

Robert Barnes

Feb 21, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Robert E. Barnes, affectionately known to friends and family as "Red." Red departed this world peacefully on February 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He was born on July 30, 1936, in Bluffton, Indiana, to the late Charles E. and Helen D. (French) Barnes.

Red was a proud veteran...

Karen Elston

Feb 19, 2025

Karen S. Elston, 78, of Van Wert, left us on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Vancrest of Van Wert. Born on March 16, 1946, in Van Wert, to the late Roy G. and Ruth (Missler) Elston, Karen was a beloved member of her community and a cherished family member.

Karen worked at Fashion Bug before dedicating 16 years of her life...

Stephen M. Coyle

Feb 15, 2025

Stephen M. Coyle, born July 17, 1944, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 15, 2025, in Van Wert, Ohio surrounded by his family. He lived a remarkable life serving the Lord and others each and every day.

Steve started his career as a General Contractor at the age of 14 when he completed his job designing and building an outdoor patio that...

Rita Blossom

Feb 14, 2025

Rita C. Blossom, 59, of Rockford, Ohio passed away Friday, February 14, 2025 at Ohio Health -Van Wert Hospital. She was born January 22, 1966 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was the daughter of the late Paul Edward and Ines Marie (Wilhoit) Parker.

Rita worked at Findlay Industries in Ohio City for several years. She then worked at several Rockford restaurants,...

Roger W. Davis

Feb 13, 2025

Roger W. Davis, 77, of Van Wert, died Thursday evening, February 13, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

He was born January 15, 1948, in Van Wert, to William Carey and Pauline (Gamble) Davis. On December 7, 1968, he married the former Judy A. Marquart.

Roger was a lifetime farmer, he was proud to have farmed with his family, and served...

Robert J. Priest

Feb 12, 2025

Robert Joseph Priest passed away at Vancrest Skilled Nursing facility surrounded by family on February 12, 2025. He was born on January 17, 1942, in Oakwood, Ohio to Delbert and Beulah (Powers) Priest who both preceded him in death.

 Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years Marcia (Hoy) Priest, brother Jerry W. Priest, and grandson...

Robert Bollenbacher

Feb 8, 2025

Robert P. Bollenbacher, 96, of Rockford, Ohio passed away Saturday February 8, 2025 at Tranquility of Rockford. He was born August 9, 1928 in Adams County, Indiana and was the son of the late Harold and Martha (White) Bollenbacher.

On December 18, 1948 Bob married the former Mildred Snider, who preceded him in death on August 8, 2019.

...

Wendy S. Taylor

Feb 4, 2025

Wendy S. Taylor walked through the gates of heaven straight into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born on November 26, 1966.

Her love of travel drew her to be an over the road professional truck driver for over 20 years. She was lovingly known by her CB handle, " Winnie the Pooh"

Her children and grandchildren...

Betty Foster

Feb 3, 2025

Betty Lou (Jenkins) Foster, of Van Wert, passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on February 3, 2025 after eight years with COPD. Born on October 31, 1942, in Van Wert, Ohio, Betty was lovingly raised by her great aunt and uncle, Nellie and George Perhamus.

She graduated from Lincolnview High School in 1961. She married Larry Foster on May...

Jane Harter

Feb 3, 2025

Jane Bevington Harter, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on May 26, 1934, in York Township, Ohio, Jane was the cherished daughter of the late Emery G. and Frances L. (Crider) Swygart. She resided in Van Wert County, where she touched countless lives with her gentle...

Gary W. Hawkey

Feb 3, 2025

Gary W. Hawkey, 70, of Oakwood, Ohio, passed away at 6:14am on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Mercy Health-St. Vincents Medical Center in Toledo.

He was born February 27, 1954, in Sidney, Ohio, to the late Phyllis and Tommie Hawkey. He married Judith Hawkey, she survives in Oakwood.

Gary is also survived by his children, Jeremy Hawkey, Jeffrey Hawkey and Jennifer Stevens;...

Edward J. Schlenker

Feb 3, 2025

It is with shattered hearts that we announce the passing of Edward J. Schlenker, who left us peacefully on February 3, 2025, at the age of 77. Born in Buffalo, NY on June 30th, 1947, to Edward and Alice (Koch) Schlenker. Ed lived a life full of love paired with a hearty passion for his family.

On August 4th, 1973, he...

Roger Goddard

Feb 3, 2025

Roger Endsley Goddard, Ed.D.

6/23/1932 - 2/3/2025

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NASB)

Roger E. Goddard passed away peacefully enveloped by the love of his family on February 3, 2025. He was 92 years young. Roger was born on June 23, 1932, to Doyle Curtis Goddard and Vera (Endsley) Goddard in Grover Hill, OH. He was a loving son, husband,...

Phyllis Joan (Sites) Schaberg

Feb 1, 2025

Phyllis Joan Schaberg, a dedicated caregiver, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the age of 92. She was born on July 7, 1932, in Van Wert, Ohio, to Albert and Ethel (Waller) Sites.

Joan was a cherished homemaker, lovingly caring for her children, grandchildren and husband, Lowell, and touching the lives of many family members and friends. Her...

Helen Ann Snavely

Jan 30, 2025

Our Beloved Mother And Grandmother Helen Ann (Kahler) Snavely , 81, left this Earthly home to be with our Lord, suddenly, on January 30, 2025. Helen was born on March 12, 1943, in Lima, Ohio, to the late Martha J. (Melson) Kahler and Ferald F. Kahler. All of her Aunts, Uncles and 2 ex- husbands also preceded her in death.

Helen...

David Taylor

Jan 29, 2025

David E. Taylor, 75, of Rockford, Ohio died Wednesday evening, January 29, 2025, at Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater, Ohio. He was born August 12, 1949 in Valley Creek, Tennessee and was the son of the late Earl Taylor and Ruby (Pemberton) Taylor Dillehay.

Dave was a graduate of Parkway High School in Rockford, Ohio. On June 20,...