AUGUST

08-26-03

Glen Bolenbaugh
Glen W. Bolenbaugh, 69, of Ohio City, died at 12:25 p.m. Aug. 23, 2003, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born Aug. 30, 1933, in Ohio City, to Clarence B. and Rea A. Taylor Bolenbaugh. On June 19, 1995, he married Joyce B. Bell who survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Linda (Bill) Germann, Celina; a stepson, David Stanley, Macon, Ga.; a stepdaughter, Peggy (George) Lines, Lima; a brother, Robert (Lois) of Ohio City; two sisters, Betty Archer, Van Wert, and Mary Bigham, Ohio City; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
A son, Glen Jr., is deceased.
He retired from Borden Cheese Company after 31 years of service. A U.S. Army veteran, he attended the Ohio City Church of God and was a member of the American Legion Post, also of Ohio City.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, the Rev. Matt Braun officiating. Private burial with military rites will be held at a later date.
Calling is after 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Dylan Henning
Dylan Gene Henning, infant son of Emily Jo Lhamon and Derek Gene Henning of St. Marys, was stillborn Aug. 21, 2003, at a residence in Cincinnati.
Surviving with the parents are the grandparents, Tim Lhamon, Terrie (Neil) Rohrbach and Don (Teresa) Henning, all of St. Marys; and the great-grandparents, Bud and Eileen Wright, New Knoxville, and Dean and Norma Lhamon, Paul and LouAnn Henning, Joseph Schaaf, Victoria Rohrbach and Jerry McEldowney, all of St. Marys.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. Patricia Minnick officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens near Moulton.
Calling is after 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Richard Neely
Richard P. Neely, 79, formerly of 506 Maplewood Drive, Celina, died at 9:45 a.m. Aug. 25, 2003, at Otterbein Retirement Community, St. Marys.
He was born March 10, 1924, in Lima, to Ray and Martha Lampert Neely. On April 29, 1943, he married Miriam Neely who survives at Otterbein.
Also surviving are a son, Steven (Maureen) of Celina; four grandsons and a great-grandson.
A brother, Ralph, is deceased.
A pharmacist, he owned and operated Neely’s Drug Store in St. Marys for 34 years. He received a bachelor of science degree from Ohio Northern University, Ada, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was a member of Wayne Street United Methodist Church, Rotary International, Outing Club (Idlewild), American Legion Post 323 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9289, all of St. Marys; Northmoor Country Club, Mercer County; and Spanish Wells Country Club, Bonita Springs, Fla. He served on the Bank One of Ohio board of directors and was past president of the Northwest Ohio Pharmaceutical Association.
Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. Ed Groff officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys.
Calling is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Contributions can be made to the Ohio Northern University School of Pharmacy or the church.

Edith Frey
Graveside services for Edith Frey were 10:30 a.m. Aug. 25, 2003, at Resthaven Memory Gardens near Moulton, the Rev. Randy Christian officiated.
Pallbearers were Doug and Aaron Frey, Armando Rangel Jr., Andrew Woten and Matthew Springs.
W.H. Dick & Sons Funeral Home, Mendon, had charge of arrangements.

08-25-03

Rosemary Piper
 Rosemary Piper, 81, 800 Elm St., Celina, died at 11:58 p.m. Aug. 22, 2003, at The Gardens at Celina.
 She was born June 22, 1922, in Mercer County, to William H. and Frieda Becker Byer. On July 26, 1941, she married Walter R. Piper who died Jan. 8, 1994.
 Surviving are three daughters, Frieda Ann (Richard) Neff, Coldwater, Mich., Rita (Steve) Phillips and Nancy Williamson, all of Celina; a brother, William Dean (Jane) Byer, Coldwater; six grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and four stepgreat-grandchildren.
 Deceased are a son, James David; a daughter, Rebecca Jane; and a brother, Ken Byer.
 She retired as a printing press operator at Reynolds & Reynolds after 29 years of service. She was a 1941 graduate of Rockford High School and a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Celina.
 Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Douglas Meyer officiating. Burial will follow at Mercer Memory Gardens.
 Calling is 1-8 p.m. Tuesday at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina, and after 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
 Contributions can be made to the church.



08-23-03

Waldo Pease
 Waldo S. Pease, 79, of Coldwater, died Aug. 13, 2003, at Community Hospital, Coldwater.
 He was born Nov. 30, 1923, in Lewisburg, to Charles and Maude Shell Pease.
 Surviving are nephews, including Bill (Ann) Pease of Celina, with whom he spent weekends; nieces, including Joan (Mark) Muhlenkamp, Coldwater, with whom he lived the past 7 1/2 years; great-nephews and nieces and great-great-nephews and nieces.
 Deceased are three brothers, Glen, Basil and Denver, and a sister, Ruby Seeker.
 He retired in 1988 from Ohio Plate Glass, Lewisburg. He also worked at the former New Idea plant in Coldwater and NCR Corporation, Dayton.
 Services are noon today at Barnes Funeral Home, Lewisburg. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg.
 Calling is after 10 a.m. today at the funeral home.

Lena Searight
 Lena Searight, 79, 7840 Celina-Mendon Road, Celina, died Aug. 15, 2003, at her residence.
 She was born Jan. 9, 1924, in Celina, to Fred and Tillie Hehmeyer Rasawehr. On Aug. 22, 1942, she married Charles Searight who died Jan. 4, 1987.
 Surviving is a son, Robert (Bonnie) of Celina; a brother, Ernie (Betty) Rasawehr, Mendon; a sister, Pauline Donovan, St. Marys; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are a brother, John Rasawehr, and a sister, Mildred Heindel.
 She retired from the former Mersman Furniture Co. and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, both of Celina.
 Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, the Rev. Douglas Meyer officiating. Burial will follow at North Grove Cemetery, Celina.
 Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina, and after 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church.

Lula Adair
 Lula E. Adair, 99, formerly of Route 3, Portland, Ind., died Aug. 15, 2003, at Jay County Hospital, Portland.
 She was born Jan. 26, 1904, in Randolph County, to Charles and Sarah Craner Lawson. She married Marvin Adair who died in 1977.
 Surviving are four sons, Charles, Donald, Duane and Vernon, all of Portland; a daughter, Thelma (Bob) Masters, Fort Recovery; 18 grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 12 stepgreat-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, 11 stepgreat-great-grandchildren, a great-great-great-grandchild and two stepgreat-great-great-grandchildren.
 She was a homemaker and attended Noble Christian Church, Portland.
 Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home, Portland, Jim Wright officiating. Burial is at Stephenson Cemetery, Portland.
 Calling is 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
 Contributions can be made to the church.



08-22-03

Nelson Eichenauer
 Nelson Eichenauer, 88, of Celina, died Aug. 21, 2003, at his residence.
 Arrangements are pending at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina.

Edith Frey
 Edith Frey, 81, of Mendon, died today, Aug. 22, 2003, at her residence.
 Arrangements are pending at W.H. Dick & Sons Funeral Home, Mendon.

Lyle Howell
 Celina native Lyle F. Howell, 77, of Columbia City, Ind., died at 6:26 p.m. Aug. 20, 2003, at his residence.
 He was born July 10, 1926, in Celina, to Jeff and Clara Fetters Howell. On Oct. 6, 1946, he married Celesta B. Fahncke who survives.
 Also surviving are two sons, Roger of South Whitley, Ind., and David (Jeanne) of Columbia City; a daughter, Kay (Richard) Miller, Montpelier; three sisters, Ermal Howell, Ruth Feister and Bernadine Crouch, all of Celina; nine grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, two great-grandchildren and six stepgreat-grandchildren.
 Deceased are two brothers, a sister and two grandsons.
 He retired from the Indiana Department of Transportation in 1991 after 13 years of service. He worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in St. Marys before joining the U.S. Navy and serving during World War II. He returned to Celina following discharge and began farming.
 He was a graduate of Celina High School and a member of the Church of the Nazarene, American Legion Post 98 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5582, all of Columbia City.
 Services are 11:30 a.m. (Ohio time) Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, the Rev. Tom Beers officiating. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery.
 Calling is 3-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
 Contributions can be made to the church or the Whitley Branch of Parkview Home Health and Hospice.

Elaine Shaw
 Elaine Shaw, 63, 501 W. German St., New Knoxville, died Aug. 21, 2003, at Lima Memorial Hospital following an extended illness.
 She was born April 1, 1940, in Auglaize County, to Ralph and Olga Meckstroth Shuster. On Aug. 18, 1956, she married Arthur Shaw who survives.
 Also surviving are two sons, John (Karen) of Traer, Iowa, and Michael (Lori) of New Knoxville; three daughters, Christine (Scott) Schroer, Barbara (Mark) Howe and Sondra (Bart) Hatcher, all of New Knoxville; a sister, Diane (Roger) LaWarre, Lowell, Mich.; and 10 grandchildren.
 She was a homemaker and a retired employee of Lima Memorial Hospital, where she had worked in the medical records department. She was a member of New Knoxville United Methodist Church and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 444, also of New Knoxville.
 Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, the Rev. Mitch Arnold officiating. Burial will follow at Pilger Ruhe Cemetery, New Knoxville.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Monday at the church.
 Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, New Knoxville, has charge of arrangements.
 Contributions can be made to Hope Cancer Center of Northwest Ohio.



08-21-03

Bernice Greene
 Former St. Marys resident Bernice Greene, 63, of Pineville, Ky., died Aug. 19, 2003, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. Death was due to natural causes.
 She was born Dec. 11, 1939, in Knott County, Ky., to Dave and Ada Tuttle. Her husband, Floyd Greene, survives.
 Also surviving are a son, Christopher of Dayton; two daughters, Sherry (Randall) Miracle, Pineville, and Kimberly (Bryan) Combs, Somerset, Ky.; a brother, Paul Tuttle, no town listed; and six grandchildren.
 She had worked at HuffyÕs Bicycles while residing in Ohio and was a member of United Regular Baptist Church.
 Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at the Powell Valley Primitive Baptist Association building in Pineville, Elder Steve Greene, Elder Randall Miracle and Junior Mosley officiating. Burial will follow at Greene Family Cemetery, Laurel Hill, Ky.
 Calling is after 4 p.m. Friday at Arnett & Steele Funeral Home, Pineville.

Thelma Sowar-Link
 Thelma Sowar-Link, 90, North Second Street, Coldwater, died at 8:47 p.m. Aug. 19, 2003, at Briarwood Manor Nursing Home, Coldwater.
 She was born May 6, 1913, in Fairdale, N.D., to Theodore and Hannah Westby Melland. In 1941, she married David Sowar II who died in 1970. In 1971, she married Anthony Link who died in 1990.
 Surviving are three sons, David Sowar III, Denver, Colo., Donald (Darlene) Sowar, Walnut Creek, Calif., and Richard (Karen) Sowar, Boulder, Colo.; a daughter, Mary (Robert) Beer, Coldwater; and five stepdaughters, Barbara (Jim) Bernstein, Cincinnati, Rebecca (Bruce) Buck, Westport, Conn., Lori and Annette Link, both of Columbus, and Carol (David) Rings, Baltimore.
 Other survivors include three brothers, Helmer (Dorothy) Melland, Bellingham, Wash., Ted Melland, Federal Way, Wash., and George (Ruth) Melland, Seattle, Wash.; a sister, Ruth Livermore, Bellingham; 11 grandchildren, six stepgrandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
 Two brothers and two sisters are deceased.
 She was the former owner of SowarÕs Department Store and a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, both of Coldwater.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Thomas Dorn officiating. Burial will follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.
 Calling is 4-8 p.m. Friday and 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

W. Josephine Myers
 W. Josephine Myers, 87, of Wren, died at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 19, 2003, at VanCrest Nursing Center, Van Wert.
 She was born Oct. 14, 1915, in Van Wert County, to C. Clyde and Anna Wilma Kever Jones. On Oct. 2, 1938, she married George F. Myers who died April 15, 1972.
 Surviving are a son, Stan (Ann) of Rockford, Mich.; three daughters, Ann (John) Hileman, Rockford, Carol Burriss, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Karen Jean of Wren; three brothers, Floyd Jones, Convoy, Howard Jones, Ohio City, and Leon Jones, Defiance; a sister, Pauline Jones, Van Wert; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are three brothers, Daniel C., Lloyd and Harold Jones, and a great-granddaughter.
 She was a homemaker and a former L.S. Ayres sales clerk. She was a member of Calvary Evangelical Church, Van Wert, and the Wren Garden Club.
 Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Ind., the Rev. Raymond Feeck officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Tabor Cemetery.
 Calling is 2-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
 Contributions can be made to the Radio Bible Class of Grand Rapids, Mich., Van Wert Visiting Nurses & Hospice or the church.



08-20-03

Thelma Link
 Thelma Link, 90, of Coldwater, died Aug. 19, 2003, at Briarwood Manor Nursing Home, Coldwater.
 Arrangements are pending at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.



08-19-03

Doris Laloge
 Doris Rose Laloge, 57, 4041 Carthagena Road, St. Henry, died at 6:40 a.m. Aug. 18, 2003, at her home. Death was due to natural causes.
 She was born June 13, 1946, in Celina, to Harold and Alvira Obringer Kaiser. Her mother survives in Sharpsburg. On Sept. 30, 1967, she married Larry Laloge who also survives.
 Other survivors are a son, Dennis (Vanda) of Batesville, Ind.; three daughters, Cheryl (Thomas) Walter, St. Marys, Carol (Mike) Kaiser, Coldwater, and Laura (Christian) Schneider, Germantown, Md.; four brothers, Dave (Ethel) Kaiser, St. Henry, and Dan (Dian) Kaiser, Dale (Michelle) Kaiser and Chuck (Connie) Kaiser, all of Fort Recovery; seven sisters, Barbara (Harold) Schoen and Evelyn (Mike) Kahlig, all of Fort Recovery, Janice (Richard) Evers and Sharon (Roger) Wuebker, all of St. Henry, Marilyn (Carl) Hummel, Rossburg, Betty (Edward) Garwood, Decatur, Ind., and Mary Jo (Steve) George, Clayton; and 12 grandchildren.
 She was a nurse at St. Charles Infirmary, Carthagena, and a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater. She was a member of the Ladies Rosary Altar Sodality of St. Marys Catholic Church, Philothea, and the Mercer County Right to Life.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Trinity church, the Rev. Thomas Dorn officiating. Burial is at St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

Robert Spicer
 Robert Eugene Spicer, 63, 6085 Sebring-Warner Road, Greenville, died Aug. 18, 2003, at his home.
 He was born June 4, 1940, in Union City, Ind., to Millard A. and Helen A. Reier Spicer.
 Surviving is a son, Robert E. II of Flint, Mich.; two daughters, Michelle Sowa, Flint, Mich., and Rebecca (Harry) Forehand, Pasadena, Texas; three sisters, Wanda (Homer) McCain, Fort Recovery, Dora Jones, Arba, Ind., and Addy (Tommy) Roberson, Waynesville, N.C.; five grandchildren, a stepgranddaughter and three great-grandchildren.
 She worked 20 years for Conrail Railroad and was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles #2790 and American Legion post #158, both of Union City.
 Private graveside services will be held with cremation to follow.
 Calling is 5-8 p.m. (Ohio time) Thursday at Reichard Funeral Home Inc., Union City, Ind.
 Contributions can be made to the Darke County Cancer Society.



08-18-03

Mary Ann Budde
 Mary Ann Budde, 56, 2321 Rolfes Road, Maria Stein, died at 4 a.m. Aug. 17, 2003, at her residence following an eight- month illness.
 She was born Oct. 31, 1946, in Hamilton, and later adopted by Julius and Marie Lochtefeld Budde. On June 11, 1966, she married Richard Schwieterman who died Feb. 16, 1974. On March 20, 1976, she married Robert Budde who survives.
 Also surviving are six sons, David (Noelle) Schwieterman, Anna, Tom (Shana) Schwieterman, Farmville, N.C., John (Shelley) Schwieterman, Maria Stein; Rick (Meghan) Schwieterman, Coldwater; Joe and Benjamin Budde, both at home; two daughters, Angie (Doyle) Harvey, Anna, and Julie (John) Barnett, Wapakoneta; a brother, Edward Budde, no town listed; two sisters, Rosemary and Shirley Frey, both of Cincinnati; a sister-in-law, Bernice Frey, Fort Loramie; and 18 grandchildren.
 A brother, Joseph Frey, is deceased.
 She was the owner and operator of the craft business Uniquely Yours. She was a member and greeter at Only Believe Ministries, Botkins.
 Memorial services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Peter Doseck officiating.
 Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster, has charge of arrangements.
 Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Home Health & Hospice, the Mercer County Cancer Association or the Gideon Bible Fund.

Doris Laloge
 Doris Laloge, Carthagena Road, St. Henry, died today, Aug. 18, 2003, at her residence.
 Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry, has charge of arrangements.

Arthur Ranly
 Arthur E. Ranly, 78, Ohio 119, Maria Stein, died at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 16, 2003, at Briarwood Manor Nursing Home, Coldwater.
 He was born Dec. 24, 1924, in Cassella, to Peter and Sophia Speck Ranly. On April 29, 1950, he married Eileen Link who survives.
 Also surviving are six sons, John (Janice) of Cassella, Jeffery (Barbara) of Riverside, Joel (Sherri) of St. Henry, Martin (Carol) of Richland, Mich., Matthew (Beth) of Minster, and Jason (Becky) of Maria Stein; and three daughters, Kathleen (Leon) Homan, New Bremen, Peg (Steve) Hirsch, Massillon, and Lisa (Terry) Moeller, Cassella.
 Other survivors include four brothers, Paul (Marie) of Minster, Orville (Alma) of Philothea, the Rev. Ernest of Lima, Peru, and Donald (Joan) of Columbia, Mo.; four sisters, Sister Theresa Joseph of Cincinnati, Lucille (Ben) Droesch and Ella Mae (Ralph) Liette, all of Chickasaw, and Rita (Ray) Flaute, Cassella; a sister-in-law, Rosemary Obringer, Coldwater; 29 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are two daughters, Kristina and Lora; four brothers and three sisters.
 He retired as editor and publisher of the Mercer County Chronicle and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
 He was a member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, the MenÕs Sodality and the Catholic Knights of America, all of Cassella, charter president of the Coldwater Kiwanis Club, a former national board member of the Catholic Knights of America, past commander and a firing squad member of Maria Stein American Legion Post 571 and past commander of the Second District American Legion.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Ernest Ranly officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with the Legion conducting military rites.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.
 Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Home Health & Hospice.

Arthur Rogers
 Arthur L. Rogers, 81, 618 W. High St., St. Marys, died at 8 p.m. Aug. 15, 2003, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.
 He was born Sept. 4, 1921, in St. Marys, to Samuel and Ollie Hammond Rogers. On Nov. 16, 1944, he married V. Lucille Kilger who survives.
 Also surviving are a son, Billy (Carol) of Wapakoneta; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are two brothers, Dan and Robert, and six sisters, Florence and Ruby Rogers, Virgil Smith, Mary Sheaks, Margaret Lauer and Icy Boltz.
 He retired as a crane operator at St. Marys Foundry Co. Later, he worked as a janitor at Moulton Elementary School and as a fuel attendant at Carl WrightÕs Truck Stop, Celina. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
 Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Miller Brothers Ñ Long & Folk Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. Dale Mangen officiating. Burial will follow at Neptune Cemetery.
 Calling is 5-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.



08-16-03

Waldo Pease
 Waldo S. Pease, 79, of Coldwater, died Aug. 13, 2003, at Community Hospital, Coldwater.
 He was born Nov. 30, 1923, in Lewisburg, to Charles and Maude Shell Pease.
 Surviving are nephews, including Bill (Ann) Pease of Celina, with whom he spent weekends; nieces, including Joan (Mark) Muhlenkamp, Coldwater, with whom he lived the past 7 1/2 years; great-nephews and nieces and great-great-nephews and nieces.
 Deceased are three brothers, Glen, Basil and Denver, and a sister, Ruby Seeker.
 He retired in 1988 from Ohio Plate Glass, Lewisburg. He also worked at the former New Idea plant in Coldwater and NCR Corporation, Dayton.
 Services are noon today at Barnes Funeral Home, Lewisburg. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg.
 Calling is after 10 a.m. today at the funeral home.

Lena Searight
 Lena Searight, 79, 7840 Celina-Mendon Road, Celina, died Aug. 15, 2003, at her residence.
 She was born Jan. 9, 1924, in Celina, to Fred and Tillie Hehmeyer Rasawehr. On Aug. 22, 1942, she married Charles Searight who died Jan. 4, 1987.
 Surviving is a son, Robert (Bonnie) of Celina; a brother, Ernie (Betty) Rasawehr, Mendon; a sister, Pauline Donovan, St. Marys; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are a brother, John Rasawehr, and a sister, Mildred Heindel.
 She retired from the former Mersman Furniture Co. and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, both of Celina.
 Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, the Rev. Douglas Meyer officiating. Burial will follow at North Grove Cemetery, Celina.
 Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina, and after 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church.

Lula Adair
 Lula E. Adair, 99, formerly of Route 3, Portland, Ind., died Aug. 15, 2003, at Jay County Hospital, Portland.
 She was born Jan. 26, 1904, in Randolph County, to Charles and Sarah Craner Lawson. She married Marvin Adair who died in 1977.
 Surviving are four sons, Charles, Donald, Duane and Vernon, all of Portland; a daughter, Thelma (Bob) Masters, Fort Recovery; 18 grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 12 stepgreat-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, 11 stepgreat-great-grandchildren, a great-great-great-grandchild and two stepgreat-great-great-grandchildren.
 She was a homemaker and attended Noble Christian Church, Portland.
 Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home, Portland, Jim Wright officiating. Burial is at Stephenson Cemetery, Portland.
 Calling is 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
 Contributions can be made to the church.



08-15-03

Violet  Vander Horst
    Minster native Violet J. Vander Horst, 87, 1380 Yauger Road, Mount Vernon, died Aug. 13, 2003, at Country Club Retirement Center, Mount Vernon.
 She was born July 7, 1916, in Minster, to Harry and Florence Thobe Woehrmyer. Her husband, Paul J. Vander Horst, died in 1978.
 Surviving are four nieces, Marsha K. (John) Oldiges and Kathy Warnock, all of Minster, and Marlene (Jim) Smith and Sandra Woehrmyer, all of Traverse City, Mich.
 A brother, Maurice Woehrmyer, and a sister, Grace Warnock, are deceased.
 She was a former employee of the Mount Vernon News and Mount Vernon City Schools. She was a member of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church and the WomenÕs Guild, both of Mount Vernon. In 1947 and 1948, she was the cityÕs female tennis champion.
 Graveside services are 11 a.m. Monday at St. Marys Cemetery, Celina, the Rev. Robert E. Schmitz officiating. Memorial Mass is 11 a.m. Thursday at the Mount Vernon church.
 Contributions can be made to the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, Mansfield, or the church.

M. Salome Peters
 Coldwater native M. Salome Peters, 80, 129 W. Summit St., Delphi, Ind., died at 9:43 a.m. Aug. 11, 2003, at her residence.
 She was born Oct. 22, 1922, in Coldwater, to Edward and Olive Miehls Giere. On Jan. 23, 1954, she married Carl J. Peters who died June 21, 1991.
 Surviving are a son, Dave A. of Mishawaka, Ind.; two daughters, Therese (Michael) Johnson, St. Petersburg, Fla., and Carla M. Bradshaw, Delphi; two brothers, Earl (Gay) Giere and Oliver (Sarah) Giere, all of Coldwater; a sister, Rita McDivitt, also of Coldwater; and six grandchildren.
 Six brothers and a sister are deceased.
 She was secretary at Sacred Heart Parish in Warsaw, Ind., for 30 years. A 1940 graduate of Coldwater High School, she was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church,  Warsaw, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Delphi,  the Altar-Rosary Societies of both churches and the Kosciusko Community Hospital Auxiliary. She served on the Oakwood Cemetery board of directors for 13 years.
 Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Saturday at the Warsaw church, Msgr. James Wolf officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.
 Calling is 4-8 p.m. Friday at Abbott Funeral Home, Delphi, and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. A Scripture service is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Peter Vanderkolk officiating.
 Contributions can be made to the Carroll County Cancer Society.

Lena Searight
 Lena M. Searight, 79, of Celina, died today, Aug. 15, 2003, at her residence.
 Arrangements are pending at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina.



08-14-03

Mary Koenig
 Mary M. Koenig, 94, of Wapakoneta, died at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 13, 2003, at The Gardens at Wapakoneta.
 She was born Feb. 10, 1909, in Carey, to Peter and Elizabeth Wilhoff Theis. On Feb. 18, 1933, she married William E. Koenig who died March 3, 1970.
 Surviving are three sons, William J. (Mary Jean) and Kenneth (Ruth), all of Wapakoneta, and Frederick (Shirley) of Pataskala; four daughters, Myra (Everett) Weber, Lima, Mary Alice (Bobby) White, Chabourn, N.C., Melanie (Richard) Morey, Atlantic Beach, N.C., and Marcia (Michael) DuBois, Taverse City, Mich.; 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
 Deceased are six brothers, Edward, Raymond, Ralph, Arthur, Wilfred and Louis Theis, and four sisters, Laura, Hilda and Florence Theis and Leona Smith.
 She was a homemaker, a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta, and a former member of the St. Joseph Ladies Sodality.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Hank Albietz officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Long & Folk Chapel of Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, Wapakoneta. A prayer service will be held there at 6 p.m.

John Laux
 John Lamont Laux, 87, of Rockford, died at 6:57 p.m. Aug. 12, 2003, at his residence.
 He was born April 15, 1916, in St. Anthony, to Ferd J. and Laura C. Wagner Laux. On July 29, 1944, he married Gertrude Suing who survives.
 Also surviving are five sons, Ferdinand (Linda) of Anchorage, Alaska, Duane V. (Lindy) of McComb, Richard J. of Mendon, Daniel Lee (Marsha) of Rockford, and Charles A. (Becky) of Elizabethtown, Ky.; two daughters, Arillia Ann Gilbreath, Port Hueneme, Calif., and Anna Marie (Don) McClain, Fort Wayne, Ind.; 24 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
 Three brothers, Victor, Hugo and Paul, are deceased.
 He had worked at Willshire Grain & Supply. He was a member of St. TeresaÕs Catholic Church, Rockford, and Knights of Columbus Council 1800, Celina.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, the Rev. Thomas Brenberger officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.
 Calling is 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. Sunday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford. A rosary service will be held there at 7:30 p.m.
 Contributions can be made to Celina Visiting Nurses & Hospice.

Waldo Pease
 Waldo S. Pease, 79, of Coldwater, died Aug. 13, 2003, at Community Hospital, Coldwater.
 He was born Nov. 30, 1923, in Lewisburg, to Charles and Maude Shell Pease.
 Surviving are nephews and nieces, great-nephews and nieces and great-great-nephews and nieces.
 Deceased are three brothers, Glen, Basil and Denver, and a sister, Ruby Seeker.
 He retired in 1988 from Ohio Plate Glass, Lewisburg. He also worked at the former New Idea plant, Coldwater, and NCR Corporation, Dayton.
 Services are noon Saturday at Barnes Funeral Home, Lewisburg. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg.
 Calling is after 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

M. Salome Peters
 Coldwater native M. Salome Peters, 80, 129 W. Summit St., Delphi, Ind., died at 9:43 a.m. Aug. 11, 2003, at her residence.
 She was born Oct. 22, 1922, in Coldwater, to Edward and Olive Miehls Giere. On Jan. 23, 1954, she married Carl J. Peters who died June 21, 1991.
 Surviving are a son, Dave A. of Mishawaka, Ind.; two daughters, Therese (Michael) Johnson, St. Petersburg, Fla., and Carla M. Bradshaw, Delphi; two brothers, Earl (Gay) Giere and Oliver (Sarah) Giere, all of Coldwater; a sister, Rita McDivitt, also of Coldwater; and six grandchildren.
 Six brothers and a sister are deceased.
 She was secretary at Sacred Heart Parish in Warsaw, Ind., for 30 years. A 1940 graduate of Coldwater High School, she was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Delphi,  the Altar-Rosary Societies of both churches and the Kosciusko Community Hospital Auxiliary. She served on the Oakwood Cemetery board of directors for 13 years.
 Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Saturday at the Warsaw church, Msgr. James Wolf officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.
 Calling is 4-8 p.m. Friday at Abbott Funeral Home, Delphi, and after 1 a.m. Saturday at the church. A Scripture service is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Peter Vanderkolk officiating.
 Contributions can be made to the Carroll County Cancer Society.



08-13-03

Lois Krall
 Rockford native and former Willshire resident Lois Joyce Krall, 61, of Tucson, Ariz., died Aug. 7, 2003, at Salem Hospital in Salem, Ore. Death was due to natural causes.
 She was born July 6, 1942, in Rockford, to Guy H. and Esther Lavina Grauberger Krall.
 Surviving are four brothers, Bernard and Farrel (Sharon), all of Willshire, Duane (Norma) of New Haven, Ind., and Donald of Waynesdale, Ind., and three sisters, Eileen Kraner and Mary Ann (Dean) Bollenbacher, all of Celina, and Evelyn Frank, Willshire.
 She formerly worked at International Harvester in Fort Wayne, Ind., and General Dynamics in San Diego, Calif., and was currently a care provider. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga.
 Private family services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Tom Aerheit officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 7-9 p.m. Friday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford.
 Contributions can be made to the church.

Crescentia Selhorst
 Crescentia ÒGraceÓ M. Selhorst, 74, Coldwater Creek Road, Coldwater, died at 9:43 a.m. Aug. 11, 2003, at Community Hospital, Coldwater.
 She was born March 20, 1929, in Maria Stein, to William and Anna Overman Mescher. On Nov. 21, 1959, she married Richard Selhorst who survives.
 Also surviving are a son, Keith (Roberta) of Coldwater; six brothers, George (Martha) Mescher, Leander (Carol) Mescher and Alvin (Norma) Mescher, all of Dayton, Paul Mescher, Celina, John (Mary Catherine) Mescher and Tom (Jeanette) Mescher, both of Maria Stein; four sisters, Alvina Kuether, Osgood, Agnes Hoying, Egypt, Marie (Leo) Schmidt, Vandalia, and Rita (George) Sullivan, Gresham, Ore.; a sister-in-law, Leona Mescher, Minster; and three grandchildren.
 Deceased are a brother, Albert Mescher; two brothers-in-law, Henry Kuether and Lawrence Hoying; and a sister-in-law, Joan Mescher.
 She was a homemaker and a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Carthagena, St. Monica Ladies Sodality and the American Legion Auxiliary.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, the Rev. David Hoying officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. today and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.



08-12-03

John Fortman
 John M. Fortman, 51, 537 Touvelle St., Celina, died at 8:40 p.m. Aug. 10, 2003, at Lima Memorial Hospital. Death was due to natural causes.
 He was born April 30, 1952, in Mercer County, to Richard and Eleanora Droesch Fortman.
 Surviving are a sister, Victoria (Richard) Fields, Celina; two nephews and numerous uncles and aunts.
 He was employed at American Trim-Superior Metals Corporation, Wapakoneta, and MC Sports, Coldwater. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, and a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam era.
 Services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. Ronald Wilker officiating. Burial will follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.
 Calling is after noon Thursday at the funeral home.

Lowell Lincoln
 Former Celina native Lowell ÒAbeÓ Lincoln, 85, of Tempe, Ariz., died Aug. 7, 2003, at his daughterÕs home in Tempe.
 He was born June 23, 1918, in Celina, to John and Bess Pumphrey Lincoln. In 1939, he married Shirley Elizabeth Delafield who died in 1988.
 Surviving are three daughters, Judith (Robert) Ahlers and Jennifer Kalal, all of Mesa, Ariz., and Becky Mercer, Tempe; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
 Two brothers and a sister are deceased.
 He was a masonary contractor in Celina until 1972, when he and his wife moved to Arizona. He continued masonary work there until retiring in 1989. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
 Services are 4 p.m. Friday at Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Mesa.
 Contributions can be made to Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Ariz.

Crescentia Selhorst
 Crescentia ÒGraceÓ M. Selhorst, 74, Coldwater Creek Road, Coldwater, died at 9:43 a.m. Aug. 11, 2003, at Community Hospital, Coldwater.
 She was born March 20, 1929, in Maria Stein, to William and Ann Overman Mescher. On Nov. 21, 1959, she married Richard Selhorst who survives.
 Also surviving are a son, Keith (Roberta) of Coldwater; six brothers, George (Martha) Mescher, Leander (Carol) Mescher and Alvin (Norma) Mescher, all of Dayton, Paul Mescher, Celina, John (Mary Catherine) Mescher and Tom (Jeanette) Mescher, all of Maria Stein; four sisters, Alvina Kuether, Osgood, Agnes Hoying, Egypt, Marie (Leo) Schmidt, Vandalia, and Rita (George) Sullivan, Gresham, Ore.; a sister-in-law, Leona Mescher, Minster; and three grandchildren.
 Deceased are a brother, Albert Mescher; two brothers-in-law, Henry Kuether and Lawrence Hoying; and a sister-in-law, Joan Mescher.
 She was a homemaker and a member of Precious Blood Catholic Church, Chickasaw, St. Monica Ladies Sodality and the American Legion Auxiliary.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Carthagena, the Rev. David Hoying officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

Deloris Smith
 Deloris M. Smith, 81, 159 Watercrest Drive, St. Marys, died at 12:30 a.m. Aug. 11, 2003, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.
 She was born Sept. 19, 1921, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Alfred and Margaret Brown Ludwig. Her husband, William Smith, died in 1978.
 Surviving are a son, Daniel of Sterling Heights, Va.; two daughters, Donna Pulaski, Macedonia, and Virginia (Tony) Surma, St. Marys; and three grandchildren.
 She retired from the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, St. Marys.
 Private family services are planned with graveside services and burial to take place at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
 Contributions can be made to the Auglaize County Council on Aging.
 Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, has charge of arrangements.
Anthony Kittle
 Services for Anthony ÒTonyÓ Kittle were 10:30 a.m. Aug. 11, 2003, at Grace Missionary Church, Celina, the Revs. Bruce Head and John Tostrick officiated.
 Organist was Barbara Lunsford and Tim Spores was soloist. Ty Darr and Mitch Campbell provided guitar and violin accompaniment. Lyrics for a special song were written by Shane Mullins.
 Pallbearers to Burdge Cemetery, Montezuma, were Jeff and Josh Buehler, Brian Tobin, Ryan Schmidt, Josh Spence and Dave Noll.
 Lehman Funeral Home, Celina, had charge of arrangements.



08-11-03

John Fortman
 John Fortman, 51, of Celina, died at 8:40 p.m. Aug. 10, 2003, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
 Arrangements are pending at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys.

Hilda Kremer
 Hilda R. Kremer, 89, formerly of Brockman Road, Chickasaw, died at 6 p.m. Aug. 10, 2003, at The Gardens at St. Henry.
 She was born July 10, 1914, in Osgood, to Fred and Mary Synck Bohman. On Oct. 4, 1933, she married Elmer Kremer who died Feb. 4, 1982.
 Surviving are five sons, Melvin (Ann) of St. Henry, Roger (Barb) and Roy (Jane) Kremer, all of Coldwater, Denis of Centerville, and Gary (Helen) of Chickasaw; three daughters, Joan (Jerry) Brandewie, North Star, Bernice (Robert) Goette-moeller, Columbus, and Margie (Stanley) Lefeld, Celina; and a daughter-in-law, Clara Jean (Fred) Hein, Chickasaw.
 Other survivors include two brothers, Othmer (Agnes) Bohman, Dayton, and Elmer (Verna) Bohman, Versailles; two sisters, Dorena (Aloys) Knapke, Versailles, and Thelma Schmitmeyer, Minster; 28 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
 Deceased are a son, Edgar; three brothers, Alfred, Adrian and Maurice; two sisters, Catherine and Hedwig; and three grandchildren.
 She was a homemaker and a member of Precious Blood Catholic Church, Chickasaw,  the Rosary Altar Sodality of the church and the Knights of St. John Auxiliary.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. John Bensman officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

John Lewis
 John C. Lewis, 77, 63 E. Main St., Montezuma, died Aug. 7, 2003, at his residence.
 He was born Dec. 31, 1925, in Whiteburg, Ky. His wife, Ruby, is deceased.
 Surviving are a son, Emmanuel (Elizabeth) of Mount Gilead; two daughters, Dianna (Tom) Weiler, Montezuma, and Colleen (Terry) Benefield, Dayton; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
 A World War II veteran, he served two years in the U.S. Army and two years in the U.S. Air Force. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, St. Marys.
 Memorial service will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at the VFW Hall, Celina.
 W.H. Dick & Sons Funeral Home, Celina, has charge of arrangements.

Mildred McDermitt
 Mildred V. McDermitt, 87, 21099 St. Marys River Road, Spencerville, died at 11:20 a.m. Aug. 10, 2003, at Valley Nursing Home, St. Marys.
 She was born April 29, 1916, in Auglaize County, to Charles and Gertrude Colvin Howell. On Nov. 30, 1940, she married Freedus A. McDermitt who survives.
 Also surviving are two sons, Charles Roy (Karen) of Stockbridge, Ga., and Freedus Jr. (Deborah) of St. Marys; four daughters, Ruth Ann (Garry) Schwartz, Spencerville, Mary (Robert) Howell, Wapakoneta, Judy (Richard) Howell, Yorktown, Ind., and Jean of St. Marys; a sister, Mary Wilson, Wapakoneta; 17 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.
 Deceased are three brothers, Vernon, Lee and Richard Howell.
 She had worked as a cook at the Auglaize County Home. She was a member of Walnut Grove United Methodist Church near St. Marys and the WomenÕs Society of the church.
 Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Miller-Long & Folk Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. Donald Ricard officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys.
 Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Fred Von Gunten
 Fred Von Gunten, 86, of Berne, Ind., died at 11:10 p.m. Aug. 8, 2003 at Adams County Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Ind.
 He was born March 17, 1917, in Berne, to Rufus and Ida Sprunger Von Gunten. His first wife, Rozella Heare, died in 1938. On April 30, 1939, he married Edna Berkey who survives.
 Other survivors are two daughters, Connie (Robert) Gilliom of Paoli, Ind., and Sally Eaton, St. Marys; a sister, Ann Wright, Van Nuys, Calif.; a brother, Jim of Berne, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
 Deceased is a son-in-law, John Eaton.
 He worked for the Mennonite Book Concern for 17 years and sold mutual funds for 11 years. He became a partner with Neuenschwander Insurance and also worked for Home Dairy, Smith Brothers and McIntosh. He established Quick Printing Service in 1970, which is now called Print Source Inc.
 He served as town clerk in Berne and as president of the Berne Chamber of Commerce. He served as a secretary and club bulletin editor with the Berne Rotary Club. He served as District Governor of the northern Indiana Rotary District from 1968-1969. He provided music at Swiss Village and Chalet Village for 17 and 14 years respectively and served as an official weather observer for the United States Weather Bureau in Berne since 1966. Since 1989, he wrote the weekly ÒGrowing UpÓ column in the Berne Tri-Weekly News and was a Sunday school teacher at the First Mennonite Church.
 Services are 10:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church, Revs. Harold Nussbaum and Ray Keim officiating. Burial will follow at M.R.E. Cemetery in Berne.
 Calling is 2 to 8 p.m. today at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church.
 Contributions can be made to the Rotary Foundation, the Mennonite Church or Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana.



08-09-03

Anthony Kittle
 Anthony ÒTonyÓ Kittle, 24, 312 Leona St., Celina, died Aug. 8, 2003 of  injuries received in a 2:30 a.m. traffic accident at the intersection of Ohio 127 and Brown Road, Celina. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
 He was born Sept. 27, 1978 in Celina to Terry and Charlene Noll Kittle who survive in Celina. On July 6, 2002 he was married to Alicia Nelson, who also survives, along with a daughter, Alison; a son, Zachary; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dennis and Ann Nelson, New Bremen; two brothers, Nicholas (Adrienne) Kittle, Newton Falls and Bruce Kittle, Celina; two sisters, Kerrie (Andrew) Placke, Ohio City and Brittany Kittle, Celina; a brother-in-law, Ryan (Merideth) Nelson, Columbus; a sister-in-law, Amy (Brian) Brackman, St. Augustine, Fla.; paternal grandmother, Laverne Kittle, Montezuma; maternal grandfather, Bernard Noll, Coldwater; his wifeÕs grandparents, Roseann Puthoff, Minster, and Donald and Clara Greiwe, New Bremen.
 Preceding him in death were the paternal grandfather, Richard Kittle; maternal grandmother, Irene Noll; and his wifeÕs maternal grandparents, James Nelson and Leander Puthoff.
 He was a machine operator at Select Arc, Fort Loramie, and a member of Grace Missionary Church, Celina, where services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Bruce Head and Rev. John Tostrick will officiate and burial will be in Burdge Cemetery, Montezuma.
 Calling hours at Lehman Funeral Home are Sunday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and after 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church.
 Contributions may be made to his children.

Ricky Brewster
 Ricky A. Brewster, 46, 2765 East-1100 South, Geneva, Ind., died Aug. 7, 2003 at Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind., of complications following surgery.
 He was born March 15, 1957 to Keith and Patricia Black Brewster. On April 20, 2002, he was married in New Corydon, Ind. to Mariah Morningstar, who survives.
 Also surviving are two sons, Jeremy (Devon) Brewster and Lukas Brewster, all of Geneva; a daughter, Amy (Jesse) Gilliland, Celina; a step-daughter, LaKeisha Smith, Geneva; a sister, Cathy (Rodney) Bollenbacher, Geneva; a brother, Brian (Marcia) Brewster, Bluffton, Ind.; maternal grandmother, Kathryn Black, Geneva; paternal grandmother, Hazel Brewster, Geneva; a granddaughter; two step-sisters and four step-brothers and a step-mother, Maxine Brewster, Decatur, Ind.
 He was a 1975 graduate of South Adams High School and was employed at Micro-Precision, Berne, Ind. He also was a farmer and welder and member of New Corydon United Methodist Church.
  Funeral services will be held Monday at 11:30 a.m. (Ohio time) at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home, Geneva. The Rev. Dan Perry will officiate with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery, Geneva. Calling hours are Sunday, 3-9 p.m.
 Memorials may be directed to the New Corydon United Methodist Church building fund.

Ruth Ann Minnich
 Ruth Ann Minnich, 61, 1105 East State Road 26, Portland, Ind., died Aug. 7, 2003 at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind.
 She was born Jan. 1, 1942 in Jay County, Ind. to Gilbert and Beatrice Eischen Schmit. Her mother survives in Geneva, Ind. On June 15, 1963 she married Paul Minnich, who survives.
 Also surviving are two sons, David Minnich, Shelbyville, Ind. and Randy Minnich, Las Vegas, Nev.; two brothers, Ralph Schmit, of Iowa and Richard Schmit, Geneva; three sisters, Alice Minch, Bryant, Ind.; Martha Bollenbacher, Celina; and Regina Schmit, of California. Several nieces and nephews survive.
 She worked at C.T.S. in Berne, Ind. and was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Portland, and the Altar Rosary Society.
 A Funeral Mass will be held Monday at 11 a.m. (Ohio time) at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Marty Sandhage officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Bryant.
 Calling hours are Sunday, 1-6 p.m. at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home, Portland
 Memorials may be made to Jay County Cancer Society, Jay County Community Center or Portland Little League.

John Kloeker
 John L. Kloeker, 57, of the VOCA Group Home, Sidney, formerly of Newport, died Aug. 8, 2003 at 2 a.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton. He had been ill two weeks.
 He was born Dec. 30, 1945 in Greenville to Leo and Mary Ernst Kloeker, neither of whom survive.
 Surviving are two sisters, Jo Ann (Robert) Barga, Tipton, Ind. and Sister Jeannine Kloeker, Dayton; a brother, William Kloeker, Versailles.
 One sister, June Kloeker, is deceased.
 He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Newport, and the VOCA Family. He had worked at S & H Products, Sidney, for 22 years.
 Funeral Mass will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Sts. Peter & Paul Church. The Rev. Steven Shoup will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery.
 Calling hours are Sunday, 2-6 p.m. and until 10 a.m. Monday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.
 Memorials may be directed to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
 



08-08-03

Donald Harrison
 Mercer County native Donald L. Harrison, 87, of Colorado Springs, Colo., a retired U.S. Army colonel, died Aug. 4, 2003, at his residence.
 He was born Dec. 31, 1915, in Franklin Township, to Albert and Ethel Harrison. On Aug. 30, 1945, he married Maureen L. Cook who survives.
 Also surviving are a son, John W. of Colorado Springs; two daughters, Terese A. Siemsen, Arvada, Colo., and Margaret E. Ward, Colorado Springs; a sister, Sarah Gene Stephenson, Rockford; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
 A sister, Lillian Shively, is deceased.
 In June 1942, he began active duty as a U.S. Army officer with the 34th Field Artillery Battalion, Ninth Infantry Division, in North Africa, Sicily, England, France, Belgium and Germany, where he won numerous awards and commendations. He retired Aug. 1, 1970, as a staff member with the U.S. Army Air Defense Command in Colorado Springs. He later worked as an income tax accountant for 16 years and as a volunteer providing tax assistance at Peterson Air Force Base.
 He graduated as salutatorian from Celina High School in 1933 and graduated with honors in 1942 from Ohio State University, where he served as an ROTC cadet and was chosen distinguished military graduate. He also served with the Ohio National Guard from 1937 to 1940.
 No service will be held in keeping with his wishes. The body was cremated.
 Contributions can be made to Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs.

Tony Kittle
 Anthony R. ÒTonyÓ Kittle, 24, 312 Leona St., Celina, died at 2:26 a.m. August 8 due to injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Arrangements are pending at Lehman Funeral Home in Celina.

Laurena Kramer
 Laurena S. Kramer, 90, formerly of 6698 Fort Recovery-Minster Road, Maria Stein, died at 7:47 p.m. Aug. 7, 2003, at a daughterÕs home in Frenchtown.
 She was born Sept. 13, 1912, in Osgood, to George and Rosa Heitkamp Bergman. On June 19, 1935, she married Lawrence Kramer who died June 2, 1986.
 Surviving are four sons, Vern (Julia) of Indian Head Park, Ill., Eugene (Pat) of Versailles, Marvin (Ruth Ann) of West Lake, and Lloyd (Sylvia) of Maria Stein; three daughters, Doris (William) Goettemoeller, Versailles, Rene (Luke) Klosterman and Janice (Chuck) Feltz, both of Coldwater; a daughter-in-law, Diane (Joe) Seger, Fort Loramie; a brother, Leander Bergman, Yorkshire; a sister, Romilda (Cyril) Siefring, Burkettsville; 30 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are twin sons, Vernon and Virgil, and a  brother, Elmer Bergman.
 She was a homemaker and a former 4-H adviser. She was a member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church and the Mothers Sodality, both of Cassella, and the Knights of St. John Auxiliary, Maria Stein.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, the Rev. Ken Schroeder officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Sunday and 9-10 a.m. Monday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.
 Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Home Health & Hospice.

John Lewis
 John C. Lewis, 77, 63 E. Main St., Montezuma, died Aug. 7, 2003, at his residence.
 Arrangements are pending at W.H. Dick & Sons Funeral Home, Celina.

Anton ÔTonyÕ Osterloh
 Anton William ÒTonyÓ Osterloh, 3, 1089 Kremer Road, Maria Stein, died Aug. 6, 2003, at ChildrenÕs Medical Center, Dayton. Death was due to injuries sustained in a traffic-related accident at his home.
 He was born May 26, 2000, in Lima, to David and Tracey Curry Osterloh, who both survive.
 Also surviving are two brothers, Benjamin and Robert, and two sisters, Joanna and Rose, all at home; the grandparents, Ivo and Barbara Osterloh, Egypt, and Dr. Robert and Nancy Curry, Lima; a great-grandmother, Helen Dumbauld, Alexandria.
 He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Maria Stein.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Kenneth Schroeder officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. today and 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.
 Contributions can be made to St. John the Baptist Steeple Fund, St. RitaÕs Pediatric/Adolescent Rehab Unit in Lima, or Zahn-Marion Township Branch Library, Chickasaw.



08-07-03

Eugene Dirksen
 Eugene R. Dirksen, 84, 6009 Dirksen Road, Maria Stein, died at 3:28 p.m. Aug. 5, 2003, at Celina Manor Nursing Home.
 He was born June 16, 1919, in Maria Stein, to Edward and Johanna Otte Dirksen. On May 23, 1945, he married Josephine B. Fullenkamp who survives.
 Also surviving are two sons, Delbert (Janice) of Frenchtown, and Gabriel (Shirley) of Maria Stein; seven daughters, Janet (Leon) Ruhenkamp, Marilyn (Patrick) Bergman and Doris (Mark) Kremer, all of Versailles, Bernice (Henry) Albers, McCartyville, Elaine (Dennis) Bruns, St. Sebastian, Mary (Greg) Barhorst, Anna, and Roseann (Thomas) Wendeln, Minster; a sister, Erma Dirksen, Coldwater; 48 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
 Three brothers, a sister and a great-grandchild are deceased.
 He was a farmer and a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and the MenÕs Sodality, both of Cranberry Prairie.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. David Hoying officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-9 p.m. Friday and 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater. A 5 p.m. wake service and an 8 p.m. rosary service will take place there on Friday.
 Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Hospice and Home Health.

Sister Rosemary Fortman
 St. Anthony native Sister Rosemary Fortman, 91, of Fremont, died Aug. 3, 2003, at St. Bernardine Home, Fremont.
 She was born Feb. 20, 1912, in St. Anthony, to John L. and Victoria Stelzer Fortman.
 Surviving are three sisters, Lucy of Dayton, Dorothy Schoenlein, Coldwater, and Sister Mary Madonna, Fremont.
 Deceased are four brothers, Paul, John, Richard and the Rev. Marcellus, and two sisters, Elizabeth and Adelaide.
 A 1930 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in Celina, she entered the Sisters of Mercy on March 24, 1931, and made her profession of vows as Sister Mary Marcella Aug. 15, 1933. She recived a diploma and bachelorÕs degree in nursing and attended nursing and radiology institutes.
 She began her ministry as a nurse and surgery supervisor at St. RitaÕs Medical Center, Lima, in 1936. She also worked at Mercy Hospital in Toledo, St. Charles Hospital in Oregon, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Owensboro, Ky., and McAuley High School in Toledo.
 In 1970, she became the first administrator at St. Bernardine Home, where she retired in 1984. She was one of 12 members appointed by the governor in 1974 to serve on the newly formed Ohio Commission on Aging.
 Services were held Tuesday at St. Bernardine Home with burial in the convent cemetery.
 Keller-Ochs-Koch Funeral Directors, Fremont, had charge of arrangements.
 Contributions can be made to the Sisters of Mercy.

Audrey Hitchen
 Audrey D. Hitchen, 94,  510 W. South St., St. Marys, died Aug. 5, 2003, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.
 She was born Aug. 1, 1909, in Robinson, Ill., to John and Linnie Kinman Vanover.
 Surviving are three sons, Don (Marlene) and Kenneth, all of St. Marys, and Dave (Marrilee) of Genoa; a daughter, Susan Puthoff, St. Marys; a sister, Sylvia Skaggs, Stoy, Ill.; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are a son, Julius; a brother, Joseph Vanover; and three sisters, Opal Howell, Edith Rogers and Bonnie Browder.
 She retired from Superior Tube Company, Wapakoneta, after 22 years of service and was a published poet.
 Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys.
 Calling is 6-8 p.m. Friday and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Othmar Puthoff
 Othmar ÒScottÓ Puthoff, 71, 260 Northeastern Ave., St. Henry, died at 8:18 p.m. Aug. 5, 2003, at Community Hospital, Coldwater.
 He was born Dec. 20, 1931, in Maria Stein, to Anthony and Frances Leugers Puthoff. On Nov. 10, 1962, he married Harlene Garner who died Nov. 21, 1998.
 Surviving are two sons, Scott of Pensacola, Fla., and Daniel of St. Henry; three daughters, Amy of Tipp City, Julie (Trey) Riley, Fishers, Ind., and Leslie of Celina; three brothers, Ray (Agnes) of St. Henry, Richard of Chickasaw, and Merinus (Alice) of Maria Stein; a brother-in-law, Cy Link, Burkettsville; and three grandchildren.
 Deceased are two brothers, Norb and Henry, and two sisters, Pauline Link and Eleanor Fortman.
 He was employed at the former Avco New Idea, Coldwater, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church, Mercer County Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the American Legion, both of Coldwater.
 Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Larry Wyen officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Friday and 8:45-9:45 a.m. Saturday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.
 Contributions can be made to the Cancer Association of Mercer County.

Isabelle Silver
 Isabelle C. Silver, 90, formerly of 531 N. Front St., St. Marys, died at 10:42 p.m. Aug. 5, 2003, at Valley Nursing Home, St. Marys.
 She was born Dec. 4, 1912, in Lima, to George and Margaret Still Kohler. On Aug. 15, 1931, she married Melville W. Silver who died May 19, 1987.
 Surviving are two sons, Melville (Barbara) of Leipsic, and Berry (Dorothy) of St. Marys; a daughter, Mary (Joseph) Reineke, St. Marys; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
 Two sisters, Audrey Young and Jane Young, are deceased.
 She retired in 1964 from Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, where she had worked in the dietary department. The 1930  St, Marys Memorial High School graduate previously worked at  former Evangelical United Brethren Campground, the former St. Marys Woolen Mills, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and former DWG Cigar Factory, all of St. Marys.
 She was a member of St. PaulÕs United Church of Christ and the former Kishler WomenÕs Relief Corps, both of St. Marys.
 Services are 2 p.m. Friday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. Patricia Minnick officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys.
 Calling is 5-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.



08-06-03

Eugene Dirksen
 Eugene Dirksen, 84, of Maria Stein, died Aug. 5, 2003, in Celina.
 Arrangements are pending at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

Audrey Hitchen
 Audrey D. Hitchen, 93, 1209 Hager St., St. Marys, died at 11:50 p.m. Aug. 5, 2003, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.
 Arrangements are pending at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys.

Othmar Klenke
 Othmar J. Klenke, 81, 1200 Woodview Drive, Coldwater, died at 10:45 a.m. Aug. 5, 2003, at Community Hospital, Coldwater.
 He was born April 10, 1922, in St. Rose, to Joseph and Victoria Knapke Klenke. On Nov. 3, 1945, he married Luella Kunk who survives.
 Also surviving are a son, Jerry (Ruth) of Mansfield; a daughter, Linda Schmalz, Cedarburg, Wis.; two brothers, Arnold of Coldwater and Ralph (Mary) of Celina; a sister, Dorothy Ellis, Chickasaw; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are a son-in-law, Larry Schmalz, and a sister, Marcella Kunk.
 He retired from General Motors in Dayton and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society, both of Coldwater.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, the Rev. Thomas Dorn officiating. Burial will follow at St. Martin Cemetery, Osgood.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10 a.m. Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

Robert Kiefer
 Robert E. ÒFujiÓ Kiefer, 49, 510 Locust St., St. Marys, died at 9:03 p.m. Aug. 5, 2003, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, following an extended illness.
 He was born Dec. 5, 1953, in St. Marys, to William and June Chilcoat Kiefer. On Feb. 23, 1973, he married Patricia E. Overman who survives.
 Also surviving are three sons, Rich (Nancy) of Wapakoneta, David and Rodney (Melissa), both of St. Marys; two daughters, Lisa (Kevin) Kohne and Christy (Mike) Taylor, also of St. Marys; a brother, Bill of St. Marys; four sisters, Sandy of Celina, Connie Meinerding, Nancy Brotherwood and Betty Gilbert, all of St. Marys; a half sister, Linda Burd, St. Marys; four grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren.
 Deceased are the parents, a brother, Ricky; and a sister, Janet.
 He was a journeyman moulder in the foundry at Minster Machine Co.
 Services are 1 p.m. Friday at Miller-Long & Folk Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. James Nuhfer officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens near Moulton.
 Calling is 1-3 and 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Othmar Puthoff
 Othmar ÒScottÓ Puthoff, 71, 260 N. Eastern Ave., St. Henry, died Aug. 5, 2003, at Community Hospital, Coldwater.
 Arrangements are pending at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.

Isabelle Silver
 Isabelle C. Silver, 90, formerly of 531 N. Front St., St. Marys, died at 10:42 p.m. Aug. 5, 2003, at Valley Nursing Home, St. Marys.
 Arrangements are pending at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys.

Jerome Zehringer
 Jerome H. ÒZekeÓ Zehringer, 77, 3279 Ohio 49, Fort Recovery, died at 8:15 p.m. Aug. 4, 2003, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
 He was born Sept. 16, 1925, in Fort Recovery, to John and Elizabeth Brandewie Zehringer. On May 4, 1948, he married Katherine Schoch who survives.
 Also surviving are three sons, Michael (Patricia) of Dayton, Robert (Sue) of Waynesboro, Va., and Thomas (Kathy) of Colorado Springs, Col.; three daughters, Phyllis (Steve) Miller, Fort Recovery, Jean (Mark) Giesige, Celina, and Mary (Dean) Whitman, Colorado Springs; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are an infant son, Joseph; seven brothers, Ralph, George, John, William, James, Richard and Robert; and four sisters, Florence Rose, Loretta Boland, Mary Zimmerman and Delores Beyke.
 He was co-owner of the former Zehringer Brothers Grocery in Fort Recovery and retired from Fort Recovery Industries. A 1943 graduate of Fort Recovery High School, he served in the U.S. Army in the European campaign during World War II. He was a member of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, American Legion Post 345 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6515, all of Fort Recovery.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, the Rev. Paul Wohlwend officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Marys Cemetery, Fort Recovery.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10 a.m. Friday at Brockman & Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery.
 Contributions can be made to the Mercer County Council on Aging.



08-05-03

Eugene Barga
 Eugene W. Barga, 75, 907 E. Central St., Union City, formerly of Jay County, Ind., died at 10:15 a.m. Aug. 4, 2003, at Center of Hope Nursing Home, Union City.
 He was born July 5, 1927, in Versailles, to Alva C. and Ellen U. Bulcher Barga. On Oct. 13, 1962, he married Pauline Fonderhide who died in 1977.
 Surviving are three brothers, George (Jan) of Wayne, Richard (Joyce) of Union City, Ind., and Robert (Karen) of Greenville; and four sisters, Mary Newman and Betty Wray, both of Winchester, Ind., Alice (Sylvester) Guggenbiller, Fort Recovery, and Rose (Dale) Pursley, Greenville.
 Five brothers and a sister are deceased.
 He retired from Chrysler Air Temp in Dayton and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
 Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Brockman & Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery, Deacon John Parker officiating. Burial will follow at Gettysburg Cemetery in Darke County.
 Calling is 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and after 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Lester Bergman
 Lester C. Bergman, 78, 6439 Fort Recovery Road, Houston, died at 11 a.m. Aug. 4, 2003, at his residence.
 He was born July 31, 1925, in Minster, to John and Clara Schulze Bergman. On June 14, 1950, he married Norma Siegel who survives.
 Also surviving are two sons, Michael (Joan) of Russia and Lester (Candy) of Fort Loramie; two daughters, Susan (Richard) Winner and Mary Lou (Chuck) Fullenkamp, both of Minster; two brothers, Lee (Rita) of Minster and Paul (Pat) of Fort Loramie; two sisters, Luella Sommer, Minster, and Ruth (Ralph) Roth, Celina; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
 Two brothers are deceased.
 He was a farmer and a past member of the Russia Board of Education. He served with the Merchant Marines in the Pacific Theatre during World War II and was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and the MenÕs Sodality, both of Newport, the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of Russia, and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1391, Minster.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, the Rev. Anthony Cutcher officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 3-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.
 Contributions can be made to Wilson Hospice Care or the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad.

Ralph Gallegos
 Ralph S. Gallegos, 67, 708 Winfield Ave., Findlay, died at 5:28 a.m. Aug. 3, 2003, at his residence.
 He was born Oct. 22, 1935, in San Elizario, Texas, to Ralph and Consuelo Tarango Gallegos. On Jan. 27, 1963, he married Eloisa Vento who survives.
 Also surviving are four brothers, Claudio of El Paso, Texas, Luciano (Gloria) of Upper Sandusky, Manuel (Vickie) of Ridgeway, and Uvaldo (Diane) of Tucson, Ariz.; and four sisters, Ernestina (Ray) Gutierrez, Lubbock, Texas, Agripina (Ephrain) Vasquez, Tucson, M. Janie (Gene) Cool, Celina, and Josephine (Pedro) Cruz, Toledo.
 A brother, Zenobio, is deceased.
 He was a member of The Kingdom Hall of JehovahÕs Witnesses, Findlay.
 Services are 3 p.m. Saturday at Kingdom Hall.
 Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay, has charge of arrangements.
 Contributions can be made to the Worldwide Bible Education Work of JehovahÕs Witnesses, Cancer Patient Services or Bridge Home Health and Hospice.

Louis Wenzke
 Celina native Louis E. Wenzke, 87, 406 Mount Vernon Drive, Fostoria, died at 1:50 p.m. Aug. 4, 2003, at Good Shepherd Home in Fostoria.
 He was born Aug. 2, 1916, in Celina, to Joseph and Theresa Bertke Wenzke. On Jan. 1, 1938, he married Eleanor C. Gants who survives.
 Also surviving are two sons, Dennis and Thomas (Kris), and a daughter, Judith, all of Fostoria; a brother, Frank of Dayton; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
 A son, James; five brothers and two sisters are deceased.
 He retired in 1981 after 38 years as assistant plant manager at Union Carbide in Fostoria and two years as plant manager in Singapore.
 He was a member of St. Wendelin Catholic Church, Fostoria, where he was a Eucharistic minister, lector and sports coach, the Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council 1197 and the Fourth Degree Father Kirsch Assembly #845, all of Fostoria. He was past president of the St. Vincent De Paul Society, the Junior League Baseball Association, the Kiwanis Club and St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans, all of Fostoria. He organized and directed the Immaculate Heart of Mary Rosary Making Guild and the Pilgrim Virgin Statue program. He was a board member of the  United Way and American Red Cross, serving as a certified first aid instructor during World War II.
 He wrote a newspaper column about bridge and was a certified duplicate bridge director and a member of the American Bridge Teachers Association.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at Hoening Funeral Home, Fostoria. A Third Order of St. Francis memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. with the rosary to be recited at 8:30 p.m.
 Contributions can be made to the church or the Special Care Unit of the Good Shepherd Home.

Jerome Zehringer
 Jerome H. ÒZekeÓ Zehringer, 77, 3279 Ohio 49, Fort Recovery, died at 8:15 p.m. Aug. 4, 2003, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
 Arrangements are pending at Brockman & Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery.



08-04-03

Edwin Klenz
 Edwin R. Klenz, 84, 319 Bruns Ave., Celina, died Aug. 3, 2003, at Celina Manor Nursing Home.
 He was born Jan. 10, 1919, in Mercer County, to William and Ada Hoenie Klenz. On June 14, 1947, he married Helen Hoenie who survives.
 Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Violet Klenz, Celina; a nephew and a niece.
 Deceased are a son, David; two brothers, Owen and Glen; and a sister, Opal Grevenkamp.
 He had worked at the Equity Elevator and retired from the Mercer County Highway Department. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Hopewell Township.
 Services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Douglas Meyer officiating. Burial will follow at North Grove Cemetery, Celina.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina.
 Contributions can be made to the church.

Danny Powell
 Danny R. Powell, 52, 3113 Andrew St., Middletown, died at 6:15 p.m. July 30, 2003, at Kozy Campground near Celina. Death was due to natural causes.
 He was born June 22, 1951, in Hamilton, to Leonard C. and Betty Hayes Powell.
 Surviving are a brother, Phillip of Middletown, and a sister, Patricia Peteret, Florida.
 Deceased are a brother, Leonard Jr., and a sister, Anita Kilburn.
 He was self employed in the antique and old automobile business. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Loyal Order of Moose, both of Middletown.
 Memorial services will be at a later date.
 Lehman Funeral Home, Celina, had charge of local arrangements.

Marcus Prenger
 Marcus F. Prenger, 83, 02438 Ohio 364, Egypt, died at 5:15 a.m. Aug. 3, 2003, at Heritage Manor Nursing Center, Minster.
 He was born July 24, 1920, in Egypt, to Joseph and Cecelia Wehrman Prenger. On Nov. 12, 1941, he married Irene J. Poeppelman who survives.
 Also surviving are four sons, Donald (Jane) of Egypt, James (Connie) and Kenneth (Becky), both of Minster, and Roger (Kim) of Gilbert, Ariz.; and four daughters, Barbara Ann (Roger) Frilling and Mary Kay (Ken) Zumberger, both of Fort Loramie, Janice (Larry) Smith, New Bremen, and Shirley (Dennis) Herbert, Sidney.
 Other survivors include a brother, Victor (Alma) of Maria Stein; three sisters, Stella Piekenbrock, St. Rose, Irene (Louis) Otte, Cassella, and Velma (Herb) Bergman, Maria Stein; 23 grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
 Three sisters are deceased.
 He was the retired owner and operator of Prenger Implement in Egypt, which he founded in 1950. A U.S. Army veteran, he served four years in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
 He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the MenÕs Society, both of Egypt, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1391, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post, all of Minster.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Louis Schmit officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with military rites by the Minster firing squad.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.
 Contributions can be made to the Heritage Manor Activity Fund.

Kimbra Stewart
 Kimbra Y. Stewart, 44, of Bryant, Ind., died Aug. 1, 2003, at Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, following an extended illness.
 She was born Dec. 21, 1958, in Portland, Ind., to Cedric and Bette Hardman McAbee. Her father and stepmother, Margaret McAbee, survive in Portland, and her mother and stepfather, Jack Stahley, survive in Richmond, Ind. On Dec. 28, 1981, she married Mark A. Stewart who survives.
 Also surviving are three sons, Donald Cooke II, Muncie, Ind., Mark A. Stewart Jr. and Jacob M. Stewart, both at home; a daughter, Cara L. Stouder, Celina; three brothers, Robin (Sharon) McAbee, Coldwater, Gale McAbee, Cincinnati, and Tim McAbee, Michigan City, Ind.; a sister, Susan (John) Graves, Avon, Ind.; a half brother, Phillip Stahley, Corpus Christi, Texas; three stepbrothers, Jack Stahley, Grand Rapids, Mich., Scott Stahley, Coronda, Calif., and Jeff Stahley, Corpus Christi; and three grandchildren.
 She had worked as a seamstress at the former Jay Garment Company in Portland.
 Services are 7 p.m. (Ohio time) Tuesday at the Portland Chapel of Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home, the Rev. Steve Hill officiating. Cremation will follow with burial to be at a later date.
 Calling is 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.



08-02-03

Rogene Wenning
 Rogene Rose Wenning, 83, 4241 Township Line Road, Coldwater, died at 1 p.m. Aug. 1, 2003 at Briarwood Manor Nursing Home.
 She was born July 15, 1920, in Coldwater, to Aloys and Mary Wynk Selhorst. On Nov. 9, 1968, she married Clarence H. Wenning, who died Jan. 14, 2000.
 Survivors include a brother, Richard (Grace) Selhorst of Coldwater; a sister, Erma (Louis) Rosengarten of Dayton; and a sister-in-law, Isabel Moomaw of Coldwater.
 She was a member of the St. Marys Catholic Church, Philothea, and a member of the Ladies Rosary Altar Sodality of the church.
 Services are at 10:30 a.m. at the church, with the Rev. Thomas Dorn officiating. Burial will follow at St. Marys Cemetery in Philothea.
 Calling hours are from 2-7 p.m. Sunday and from 9-10 a.m. Monday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater



08-01-03

Wanda Axe
 Wanda B. Axe, 82, 702 Meadowview Drive, Celina, died at 7:25 p.m. July 30, 2003, at The Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford.
 She was born Sept. 29, 1920, in Coldwater, to Donald W. and Nellie M. Dundon Hassan. On Oct. 5, 1940, she married Howard Axe who survives.
 Also surviving are a brother, Lowell Hassan, Coldwater, and two sisters, Marcella Dock, Kalamazoo, Mich., and Juanita Gagle, Celina.
 A sister, Thelma Stuehr, is deceased.
 She had been press room supervisor at Reynolds & Reynolds in Celina prior to retirement.
 Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Lehman Funeral Home, Celina, the Revs. Robert Metheny and Richard Riedel officiating. Burial will follow at North Grove Cemetery, Celina.
 Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Jack Now
 Jack O. Now, 77, of Rockford, died at 5:12 a.m. July 30, 2003, at Springview Nursing Home, Lima.
 He was born Sept. 26, 1925, in Mishawaka, Ind., to Jay and Thelma Siler Now. On May 30, 1953, he married Joann Hays who died May 10, 1996.
 Surviving are three daughters, Rozann (Bob) Maurer, Mercer, Anita (Dan) Edwards, Lima, and Judy Now, Corona, Calif.; a brother, William of Rockford; a sister, Shirley Roebuck, Celina; and five grandchildren.
 A sister, Jean Sweigart, is deceased.
 He retired from Shane Hill Nursing Home, Rockford, and served in the military during World War II. He was a member of Mercer United Methodist Church and the West Central Ohio Kidney Foundation and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5713, Celina.
 Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Kenneth Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. today at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, and after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.
 Contributions can be made to the church or the West Central Ohio Kidney Foundation.

Pauline Moorman
 Pauline Moorman, 82, of Coldwater, died at 3:20 p.m. July 29, 2003, at Briarwood Manor Nursing Home, Coldwater.
 She was born May 30, 1921, in Coldwater, to Henry G. Wenning and Anna Agnes Vondrerwell Bonifas-Wenning. On May 16, 1942, she married Anthony Moorman who died Aug. 8, 1972.
 Surviving are 10 sons, Jim (Elaine) of Chickasaw, Sam (Lilly) and Chris (Mary Agnes), both of St. Henry, Bob and Terry (Carol), both of Celina, Randy of South Whitely, Ind., Ted (Marti) of Fairfield, Pat of Lawrenceburg, Ind., Tim (Susan) of Coldwater, and Dave (Joan) of Maria Stein; and seven daughters, Jane (Paul) Clune and Dot (Ken) Tobin, both of Coldwater, Donna (Don) Siefring and Sandy (Gene) Smart, both of Celina, Cathy (Rick) Homan, Bryant, Ind., Tina (Steve) LaMott, Hamilton, and Nita (Dave) Scudder, Independence, Ky.
 Other survivors include two sisters, Henrietta Hart, Versailles, and Margaret Tobe, Fort Recovery; a sister-in-law, June Wenning, Covington; 46 grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, five stepgreat-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild and two stepgreat-great-grandchildren.
 Deceased are seven brothers, Eldon, Ivo, Ben, Leo and Isadore Wenning and Leonard and Emmit Bonifas; a sister, Bernie Fiala; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
 She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, St. AnnÕs Rosary Altar Sodality, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5135 Auxiliary, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary #3025.
 Funeral Mass was 10:30 a.m. today at the church, the Rev. Thomas Dorn officiated. Burial was at St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.
 Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater, had charge of arrangements.

Marjorie Slemmer
 Marjorie J. Slemmer, 82, 612 W. Logan St., Celina, died at 5:56 a.m. today, Aug. 1, 2003, at The Gardens at Celina.
 She was born May 7, 1921, in Celina, to Joshua and Audria King Creeden. Her husbands, Thomas Faller, Robert Pierstorff and Darrell Slemmer, are deceased.
 Surviving are a son, Thomas (Elizabeth) Faller, Minster; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
 Two brothers, Jack and Jim Creeden, are deceased.
 She had been employed at JackÕs Supply City, Celina. She was a member of St. PaulÕs United Methodist Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary.
 Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Lehman Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Kathleen Hayes officiating. Burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Ohio City.
 Calling is 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.



 
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