USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
SEEKINGS
Donald E. Seekings Sr., 68, of Grover Hill, died at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Hawthorn Court Nursing Home in Paulding.
He was born August 19, 1936, in Van Wert, the son of the late John F. and Anna (Disbennett) Seekings. On March 24, 1974, he married Virginia S. Verfaillie, who survives at home.
Mr. Seekings was a longtime truck driver and thoroughbred horse trainer and racer.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Donald E. "Cook" (Betsy) Seekings Jr. and Gene (Tami) Seekings, both of Van Wert, Eric Seekings of Grover Hill, Terry (Terri) Hasch of Ohio City; Jenny Brown of Celina, Laura Hasch of Van Wert and Erin Seekings of Scott; a brother, James (Betty) Allen of Van Wert; three sisters, Susie Courtney, Gladys Caudill and Cordella Hartman, all of Van Wert; 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Louis John Seekings and Monty Seekings; two brothers, Louis Allen and Glenn Allen Jr., and a sister, Esther Hartman.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Michael Harper officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Friday, March 25, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
PONTIUS
Paul G. "Twink" Pontius, 53, of Van Wert, died at approximately 12:30 a.m. Monday, March 21, 2005, at his residence.
He was born March 9, 1952, in Van Wert, the son of the late Robert and Pauline (Yoss) Pontius.
Mr. Pontius was an employee of Diester Machine Company in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Survivors include a son, Chris Pontius of Decatur, Ind.; two daughters, Heather Pontius of Decatur and Katrina (Sven) Polz of Jacksonville, Fla.; one sister, Sandra (Jerry) Leeth of Weirs Dale, Fla., and two brothers, Glenn (Donna) Pontius and Richard (Karen) Pontius, both of Van Wert.
He was preceded in death by his twin brother, David K. Pontius.
Funeral services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Private burial services will be held in Woodland Cemetery at a later date.
Calling hours are 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor's choice.
COUNSELLOR
Bernard F. "Red" Counsellor, 85, of Van Wert, died at 5 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2005, at Van Wert Manor nursing home in Van Wert.
He was born January 6, 1920, in Van Wert County, the son of the late Clement and Geraldine (Knott) Counselor. On April 30, 1955, he married Helen McMurray, who survives at home.
Mr. Counsellor formerly worked for the City of Van Wert and Lee's ACE Hardware in Van Wert. He was a member of Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Moose Lodge 1120 in Van Wert; was a life member of Eagles Aerie 886 in Van Wert, and also belonged to the local Fraternal Order of Police lodge.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sisters.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Rev. Paul Miller officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the funeral home, where an Elks memorial service will be held at 7:30 that evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor's choice.
SCHIMMOELLER
Philip W. Schimmoeller, 87, of Ottoville, died at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Paradise Oaks nursing home in Cloverdale.
He was born December 9, 1917, in Putnam County, the son of the late Edward C. and Veronica (Kaverman) Schimmoeller. On August 16, 1941, he married Mary Schaffner, who died in 2002.
Mr. Schimmoeller was a retired self-employed farmer. He was a veteran of the World War II who served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ottoville, a member of the Ottoville Local Board of Education for eight years, a township trustee for 11 years and a lifetime member of the American Legion post in Fort Jennings.
Survivors include a son, Gerald (Carolyn) Schimmoeller of Ottoville; two daughters, Phyllis (Robert) Verhoff of Holgate and Anna (Edward) Bockrath of Ottoville; one brother, Donald (Coletta) Schimmoeller of Fort Jennings; 12 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Jack Alfred, Thomas and Robert Schimmoeller; a sister, Ruth Perrin, and a granddaughter, Theresa Bockrath.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ottoville, with Father Tony Borgia officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ottoville at a later date.
Calling hours are 2-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, and 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Wednesday at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m., an American Legion military memorial service at 7 p.m. and a parish rosary service at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to a Mass for the deceased or a charity of donor's choice.
TRIMBLE
Estella E. Trimble, 91, of Van Wert, died at 9:20 a.m. Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born November 27, 1913, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Charles and Ellen (Burgett) Conley. On March 28, 1931, she married Cecil O. Trimble, who died July 7, 1983.
Mrs. Trimble was a homemaker and had attended Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert. She was a former member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 in Van Wert.
Survivors include two sons, Charles J. (Betty) Trimble of Van Wert and John O. (Mary Lee) Trimble of Mattoon, Ill.; two daughters, Irene (Wayne) Rogers of Pioneer and Virginia (James) Doner of Van Wert, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by six brothers and a sister.
Graveside funeral services will be held at a later date in Woodland Cemetery.
There will no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were handled by Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert.
SMITH
Inez Marie (Jenkins) Smith, 68, formerly of Van Wert, died Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Presbyterian Manor in Topeka, Kan.
She was born May 16, 1936, in Tsingtao, China, the daughter of the late Clarence O. and Efrasinia (Panomarenko) Jenkins.
Ms. Smith worked as a corporate administrative manager for the Mountain Bell Telephone Company in Denver, Colo., which later became the U.S. West Telephone Company. She was a graduate of Van Wert High School and had played in the high school band.
Survivors include a brother, Dr. George H. Jenkins of Toledo.
There will be no funeral services. A private burial will be held at a later date.
Calling hours are 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor’s choice.
STETLER
Loraine E. Stetler, 94, of Van Wert, died at 7:05 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born October 4, 1910, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late John W. and Florence E. (Kreischer) Stetler. She never married.
Miss Stetler worked at Central Mutual Insurance Company in Van Wert for 47 years, retiring in 1976 as an executive secretary. She then worked for 11 years at the Van Wert County Department of Human Services. She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert and held various church offices, including those of deacon and elder. She was also a member of the Van Wert Woman's Club.
Graveside funeral services were held at Woodland Cemetery, with the Rev. Dr. Edward Jillson officiating.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church, in care of Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert.
