USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
SCHNEPP
Ralph E. Schnepp, 67, of 620 Temple St., Van Wert, died at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday, August 24, 2005, at his residence.
He was born September 23, 1937, in Van Wert, the son of Edna L. (Hudson) Schnepp, who survives in Van Wert, and the late Clarence S. Schnepp. On September 22, 2000, he married Connie Thomas, who survives at home.
Mr. Schnepp was self-employed.
In addition to his mother and wife, survivors include two sons, Ralph Schnepp Jr. of Kentucky and Tim Schnepp of Van Wert; a stepson, Keith (Candy) Steuffel of Anderson, Ind.; one brother, Roger Schnepp of Utah; three sisters, Nancy Barnett and Marjorie Burk, both of Van Wert, and Doris (Richard) Swygart of Richburg, S.C.; three grandchildren, Kyle, Sabrina and Sophia Schnepp, and a stepgrandchild, Andrea Steuffel.
He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Misty Elaine Steuffel; one brother, Jerry E. Schnepp; a half-brother, William Wesley Schnepp Sr., and one sister, Carol Gamble.
Private family services will be conducted at a later date by Pastor Scott Fleming of Christian Life Center.
There will be no public viewing.
Arrangements were handled by Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
YOUNG
Nadine E. Young, 80, of Delphos, died at 10:50 p.m. Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.
She was born April 1, 1925, in Delphos, the daughter of the late Will and Goldie (Irick) Tritt. On April 19, 1946, she married Donald Young, who died March 28, 1992.
Mrs. Young retired as a Kmart associate after 20 years of service. She was a charter member of the Delphos Lioness Club and was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Delphos. She was a graduate of Delphos Jefferson High School and attended Northwestern Business College.
Survivors include three daughters, Vicki (Roger) Gossman and Toni Young, both of Delphos, and Jacki Young of Lima; three grandchildren, S. Scott Clarkson, Michelle (Chris) Shoemaker and Ryan (Jeannie) Skelly, and nine great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Donald R. Foster.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 27, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Delphos, with the Rev. Demoss officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Delphos.
Viewing hours are 2-8 p.m. Friday, August 26, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, and an hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to an animal charity of donor's choice.
FREE
Dean Curtis Free, 74, of Van Wert, died at 7:15 a.m. Thursday, August 25, at his home following an extended fight with cancer.
He was born June 28, 1931, in Monroe, Mich., the son of the late Charles "Curt" and Bonetha (Pettit) Free. He was married to Dee (Bauer) Free, who survives, as does his devoted wife of 45 years, Delores "Del" (Pequignot) Free.
Mr. Free began his career working at his dad's lunch counter in Gleason's Tobacco Store. He was a working chef in the kitchens of Holiday Inn motels in Angola and Madison, Ind., and Pilot Mountain, N.C. He then returned home to lease and operate the Holiday Inn restaurant in Van Wert, from which he retired. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the first VPG Patrol Squadron in Korea. He was a member of American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert. His favorite pastime was showing old cars at area car shows.
In addition to his wives, survivors include three daughters, Debra (Mike) Bowers of Fort Wayne, Ind., Diane (Chris) Schrader of Van Wert and Drenda (Brett) Lewis of Lima; a sister, Beverly (Dale) Springer of Van Wert; one brother, Jack (Marcia) Free of Colorado; eight grandchildren, Michael Dean Bowers, Carmon Louth, Dea Thatcher, Darren Gutierrez, Tara, Ginny, Ned and C.J. Schrader, and seven great-grandchildren, Michael P. and Angela Bowers, Rayana and Adessa Thatcher, Makayla and Aryanna Gutierrez and Kara Caldwell.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 29, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Mary Ann Tomlinson officiating. Burial will take place at 3:15 p.m. at Hartford City Cemetery in Hartford City, Ind., with military graveside services conducted by American Legion Lost 159 in Hartford City.
Viewing hours are an hour prior to services Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Protective League.
DECKARD
Silva A. Deckard, 70, of Van Wert, died at 12:05 a.m. Wednesday, August 31, 2005, at her son's residence.
She was born August 12, 1935, in McDougal, Ark., the daughter of the late Barney J. and Eula (O'Guin) Gribble. On November 5, 1955, she married Ralph J. Deckard, who died December 12, 1995.
Mrs. Deckard was a homemaker and was formerly employed by Stokely Cannery in Paulding, the former FLP in Van Wert, Dickie's Tent Factory in Oakwood and Ohio City Manufacturing Company in Ohio City. She belonged to Westside Missionary Baptist Church in Van Wert and was a member of the Grover Hill Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, of which she was a past president.
Survivors include two sons, Thomas Deckard of Greenville, S.C., and Randy Deckard of Van Wert; two daughters, Norma Rickard of Van Wert and Brenda Mawk of Paulding; three sisters, Eladis (JR) Hinchcliff of Grover Hill, Emma (Leon) Whittington of Van Wert and Thelma (Ismael) Shelton of Oakwood; five brothers, Talma (Marilyn) Gribble, Alvin (Gail) Gribble, Melvin (Barb) Gribble and Verlin Gribble, all of Grover Hill, and Lee Roy (Lolita) Gribble of Van Wert; nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Leona Busbey, in 2004.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 3, at DenHerder Funeral Home in Paulding, with Pastor Tom Peltier officiating. Burial will be in Middle Creek Cemetery in Grover Hill.
Viewing hours are 4-9 p.m. Friday, September 2, and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of donor's choice.
STOSE
William E. “Bill” Stose, 45, of Delphos, died at 7:55 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2005, from injuries received in a motorcycle accident in Williams County.
He was born September 20, 1959, in Van Wert, the son of Richard Stose, who survives in Delphos, and Mary Jane (Willis) Watkins, who survives in Fort Jennings. On May 29, 1993, he married Stacey Michael, who survives in Delphos.
Mr. Stose worked in bucket construction. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and had been stationed overseas in Turkey and Korea. He was a Harley-Davidson enthusiast, adored his children, loved nonconformity, was a great artist and painter, a great singer and enjoyed fishing.
In addition to his parents and his wife, survivors include a son, Dane Stose of Fort Jennings; two daughters, Samantha Stose and Mackenzie Stose, both of Delphos; one brother, Dik (Eva) Stose of Sullivan; three sisters, Kay (Larry) Hoersten and June (Joe) Rode, both of Delphos, and Jann (Jim) Bonifas of Landeck; five sisters-in-law, Kathy (Mike) Essman of Yellow Springs, Marla (Larry) Klaus of Landeck, Sadie (Lisa Borelli) Michael of Columbus, Natalie (Glynn) Horton of Savanna, Ga., and Elaine (Matt) Moyer of Venedocia; his mother- and father-in-law, Marlin and Ruth Michael; many, many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 10, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, with Rev. David Howell officiating. Burial will be in Goodwin Cemetery in Elgin, with graveside military honors performed by the Delphos Veterans Council.
Viewing hours are 5-8 p.m. Monday, August 8, and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family to set up a college fund.
RIGDON
Robert R. “Bob” Rigdon, 80, of Delphos, died at 12:20 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2005, at his residence.
He was born February 17, 1925, in Delphos, the son of the late William and Eva (Duncan) Rigdon. On August 9, 1980, he married Mary G. Kinkle, who survives in Delphos.
Mr. Rigdon was a truck driver. He was a member of Spencerville Full Gospel Church and had served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons, Gary Lee Rigdon of Delphos, Phil Rigdon of Findlay, James A. Muter of Lima and Charles Muter of Cridersville; three daughters, Lori L. Kohler of Lima and Lisa Kugler and Tammy Siefker, both of Delphos; two brothers, Eugene Rigdon and Bill Rigdon, both of Ottawa; a sister, Rozella Closson of Ottawa; 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Two sisters, Betty Schwabb and Delphine Rigdon, preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Monday, August 8, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, with the Rev. Charles Muter officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Lima.
Viewing hours are 4-8 p.m. Sunday, August 7, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
ROYER
Jeffrey T. "Squirt" Royer, 36, of Payne, died at 12:08 p.m. Monday, August 8, 2005, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born February 21, 1969, in Van Wert County, the son of Larry J. and Vicky L. (Heath) Royer, who both survive in rural Convoy.
On May 4, 2003, he married Linda L. Holtsberry, who survives at their residence.
Mr. Royer was employed at Store & Haul in Van Wert. He was a member of Convoy United Methodist Church. He was also a 1987 graduate of Crestview High School and a member of the Birdsville Coonhunters in Wren. Squirt was an avid University of Michigan fan and enjoyed coonhunting, pitching horseshoes, fishing and hunting.
In addition to his parents and wife, survivors include three stepchildren, Morris Kipfer, Tessa Kipfer and Paul Kipfer, all at home; a brother, Jay (Sara) Royer of rural Convoy; his paternal grandmother, Agnes L. Royer of Convoy; maternal grandmother Evelyn L. Heath, and mother- and father-in-law Paul and Betty Holtsberry of Payne.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Calvin F. Royer, and maternal grandfather, James M. Heath Jr.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 12, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Gregory Leigh officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Viewing hours will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, August 11, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Retinitis Pigmentatus Foundation.
