Obituaries

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...

Allen J. Richards

Jul 6, 2024

Allen J. Richards, 61, of Van Wert, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Ohio Health in Van Wert. There are no public services at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert.

Tyler Dunn

Jun 28, 2024

Tyler David Dunn, 33, of Van Wert, passed away unexpectedly on Friday June 28, 2024 at his residence. A beloved son, he was born on August 29, 1990, in Van Wert, to his parents, Ronald D. Dunn and Lisa R. (Leiter) Dunn.

Tyler's love for movies knew no bounds, reflected in his role as an attendant at Van Wert Cinemas where...

Sharon Sapp

Jun 24, 2024

Sharon Ann Sapp, 81, of Rockford passed away, surrounded by family, on June 24, 2024 at Tranquility of Rockford, Rockford, Ohio.

She was born December 31, 1942 in Celina, Ohio and was the daughter of the late Norbert Dale Ellis and Doris Lenore (Dysert) Ellis.

On August 26, 1977 Sharon married Charles "Charlie" Lee Sapp, who preceded her in death on October...

Fred Tumbleson

Jun 23, 2024

Fred Tumbleson, 81, of Convoy, was reunited with his wife, Sandra, in heaven on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

He was born October 6, 1942, in Decatur, Indiana, to Jesse and Mamie (Cully)Tumbleson.

Fred was a member of the first graduating class at Crestview High School.

He retired from B.F. Goodrich, Woodburn, after 35 years of service.

Fred was a long time member of the...

Melanie Horn

Jun 22, 2024

OHIO CITY - With great sadness, we announce the passing of Melanie Frances Mathewson Horn, 29, of Ohio City. She closed her eyes to this painful world for the last time on June 22, 2024, after a brief illness.

Melanie was born on December 2, 1994, to Eric Mathewson and Kimberly Cahill in Honolulu, HI. Melanie spent many happy early childhood...

Marcia Lou (Hoy) Priest

Jun 22, 2024

Marcia Lou (Hoy) Priest passed away at Vancrest Skilled Nursing facility surrounded by family on June 22, 2024. She was born on September 19, 1944 in Van Wert, to Burton Hoy and Loma (Dunlap) Hoy, who both preceded her in death.

Marcia was preceded in death by her parents; sister Phyliss (Hoy) Max, and grandson Tyler Priest.

She is survived by her...

Lowell Warthman

Jun 17, 2024

Lowell Dean Warthman, a hardworking man from Rockford, Ohio, passed away Monday June 17, 2024 at the age of 76. He was born August 17, 1947 in Decatur, Indiana to the late Henry and Peggy (Gilson) Warthman.

Lowell graduated from Parkway High School. After graduation, he joined the Navy and served on submarines. Following his enlistment, Lowell went on to work...

Stephen Michael Wood

Jun 16, 2024

Stephen Michael Wood, 73, of Van Wert, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2024, at his residence. He was born on July 31, 1950, to John and Winnie (Honaker) Wood, in War, West Virginia.

He was an owner operator of Steve Wood Trucking, LLC and retired from Wolverine Packing Company. Steve also worked on the railroad for several years after his service...

Harold Cox

Jun 14, 2024

Harold Guy Cox, 89, of Middle Point, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 14, 2024, at Van Wert Manor. He was born on August 7, 1934, in Buda, IL, to the late Glenn and Evalin (Dally) Cox. 

Harold enjoyed his 50 year career as a Truck Driver, putting on many miles over the roads. He was employed by Kell Bros, Bee...