Obituaries

David Wood

Jan 28, 2025

David A. Wood, known to many as Hillbilly or Hilljack, passed away peacefully at his home in Van Wert on January 28, 2025, at the age of 58. Born on September 25, 1966, in Evansville, Indiana, he was the son of Ralph Wood and Sophie Brown, who have both passed before him.

David's journey brought him to Van Wert in 2004...

Tony Willingham

Jan 27, 2025

Tony Ray Willingham, devoted father and proud Pawpaw, passed away on January 27, 2025, in Fort Wayne, IN, at the age of 58. Born on July 11, 1966, in Van Wert, OH, to Nancy Darras & Tom Willingham, Tony lived a life filled with love, laughter, and hard work.

Throughout his life, Tony held a strong commitment to his family. He...

Sandy Klinger

Jan 25, 2025

Sandy Mary Klinger, 55, of Convoy, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at her residence. Born on August 2, 1969, in Lima, to Agnes (Kemper) Ostendorf and the late Donald Ostendorf, Sandy's life was a testament to love, compassion, and unwavering commitment to her family and community.

Sandy attended Fort Jennings...

Kathy Variell

Jan 23, 2025

Kathy Lane Variell, 64,, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at her home. A proud resident of Middle Point, Ohio, she lived a life full of love and resilience, marked by both challenges and joys. She was born on November 8th, 1960, in Greenwich, OH, to the late Ray and Shirley (Klinger) Trammell.

Raised in the comforting embrace...

Richard A. Barrientos

Jan 23, 2025

Richard Anthony Barrientos, 89, of Van Wert, passed away early Thursday morning, January 23, 2025. He was born April 22, 1935, in Van Wert, to Serbando and Juana (Moreno) Barrientos.

On May 23, 1959, he married the former Juanita J. Beers. Together, they shared 61 years of marriage.

Richard retired from Aeroquip, in Van Wert, after many years of service.

He was a...

Donald L. Martin, Sr

Jan 17, 2025

Donald L. Martin, Sr, 76, of Ohio City, Ohio, passed away at 3:47pm on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Ohio Health- Van Wert Hospital.

He was born on May 15, 1948, in Lima, to Ernie and Dorothy (Crider) Martin.

Donald was a veteran of the United States Army.

He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family and friends and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Donald was...

Juanita E. Ringwald

Jan 15, 2025

Juanita E. Ringwald, 97, transitioned to a better life, peacefully joining her husband, son and grandson.

Juanita was married to Ralph E. Ringwald, Sr, for nearly 60 years. He passed away February 23, 2005.

She is survived by her daugthers, Bonita (Larry) Sutton, Susan Ringwald and Darlene (Ralph) Hamrick; 6 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband;...

Robert Froning

Jan 13, 2025

Robert S. "Bob" Froning, 77, of Saint Marys died Monday January 13, 2025. He was born October 3, 1947 in Celina, Ohio and was the son of the late Ruth A. Froning Deitsch.

On April15, 1995 Bob married the former Patricia A. Marsee, who survives.

After graduating from high school in Coldwater, Ohio, Bob proudly served in the...

Federico Martinez

Jan 11, 2025

Federico Rodriquez Martinez, of Convoy, known to friends and family as Fred, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in Fort Wayne, at the age of 82. Born on March 2, 1942, in Hondo, Texas to the late Leandro and Gregoria (Rodriguez) Martinez, Fred moved to Van Wert at a young age, where he spent the remainder of his life....

Curtis Snider

Jan 11, 2025

Curtis D. "Curt" Snider, 70, of Rockford passed away suddenly Saturday January 11, 2025 at Mercer Health in Coldwater. He was born August 4, 1954 in Celina, Ohio and was the son of Evelyn J. (Koontz) Stetler and the late Lewis Snider.

Curt graduated from Parkway High School. He married Cheryl L. (Vorhees) Snider, who preceded him in death...

Patti A. Ashbaugh

Jan 9, 2025

Patti A. Ashbaugh, 71, of Convoy, Ohio, died at 5:15am on Thursday, January 9, 2024, at Ohio Health-Van Wert. She was born May 31, 1953, in Van Wert County, to Ellsworth and Grace (Guenin) Mitch. On December 1, 1979, she married David B. Ashbaugh.

She retired from Federal Mogul, in Van Wert, after many years of service. She had also worked...

Linda Zartman

Jan 8, 2025

Linda S. Zartman, of Van Wert, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025, at the age of 75 in her home. Born on December 19, 1949, in Auburn, Indiana, to the late Lester and June (Hart) Everett Jr., Linda lived her life with a simple, bright spirit that touched everyone she encountered.

Known for her friendly demeanor and positive outlook on...

Donald Harris

Jan 1, 2025

Donald Lee Harris, age 70, of Ohio City, peacefully left us on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, after living a life full of love, laughter, and the occasional well-timed prank.

A beloved husband, father, and friend, was born on March 6, 1954, in Bristol, West Virginia, to the late parents, Grover Cleveland Harris and Hazel V. (Hoffman) Harris-Simmons.

At...

Linda Spoor

Dec 31, 2024

Linda L. Spoor, of the Van Wert, passed away peacefully at Ohio Health Van Wert Hospital, on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the age of 65. She was born on January 3, 1959, in Van Wert, Ohio, to William E. and Charlene (Sinning) Spoor.

Linda had a passion for playing "Dingo" in Westerville, Ohio, and cherished her many friendships within the...

Penny L. (Feasby) Tyler

Dec 31, 2024

Penny L. Tyler, beloved mother, sister, grandmother and friend, passed away at 2:18am on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the age of 69, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. She was born on February 15, 1955, in Van Wert, to Ralph E. and Romaine (Bayles) Feasby. On July 7, 1973, she married Clifford L. "Butch" Tyler Jr.

Penny and Butch owned...

David L. Cullen Jr.

2024

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of David Lewis Cullen Jr., age 46, on December 5, 2024, due to a tragic accident. David was born on May 28, 1978, in Lima, Ohio, to David Cullen and Carla (Shaffer) Bailey and spent his life in the Van Wert community and most recently in Ft Wayne, Indiana.

He is...

Ted Bollenbacher

Dec 27, 2024

Ted Eugene Bollenbacher, 71, of Rockford, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 27, 2024 after a brief illness. Ted was born January 1, 1953, in Decatur, Indiana to his late parents, John Junior Bollenbacher and Phyllis Louise (Hoblet) Ayres.

Ted attended Parkway High School, where he was a standout pitcher for the Panthers. He threw four no-hitters in league play, was...

Chris Wilson

Dec 27, 2024

D. Christopher Wilson, 72, passed away on December 27 at Vancrest of Van Wert, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on November 20, 1952, the oldest child of G. Dale and Eloise Wilson, who preceded him in death. Chris was a 1971 graduate of Van Wert High School and held a degree in Computer Science from Miami University.

He was...

Doris Line

Dec 27, 2024

Doris Ann Line, of Van Wert, formerly of Rockford, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024, at Van Wert Manor at the age of 91. She was born on August 31, 1933, in Rockford, to the late Alva & Opal (Fleming) Brown, where she spent her early years growing up on a farm.

Doris was a proud graduate of Rockford High...

Tim Bollenbacher

Dec 25, 2024

Tim Franklin Bollenbacher, 77, Rockford Ohio, passed away on December 25, 2024, Christmas Day. Born March 12 1947, he was the youngest son of the late Harold A. and Martha L. White Bollenbacher's five sons: Robert, Harold Jr. (dec), James (dec), Randall (dec), and Tim. From Chattanooga, Ohio, Tim graduated from Parkway High School in 1966, and married Vickie L....