USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
EICHLER
Julie Anne Jackson Eichler, 41, of Rockford, died at 7:42 a.m. in an auto accident in Berne, Ind.
She was born April 10, 1962, in St. Marys, the daughter of Ralph and Dorothy (Robbins) Rhoades, who survive. On January 3, 2003, she married Brice A. Eichler, who also survives.
Mrs. Eichler was an accountant for Micromatic in Berne, Ind. She was a member of Rockford Presbyterian Church and belonged to Celina Moose Lodge 1473. She had also worked as an accountant for Van Wert National Bank and then for Community First Bank & Trust.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is survived by two children, Jamie L. Jackson and Jake Jackson, both at home; two stepdaughters, Rachel L. Eichler and Jennifer L. Eichler, both of St. Henry, and a sister, Barb (Scott) Bowen of Rockford.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Deborah Fisher.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Karen Long officiating. Burial will be in Mercer Memory Gardens in Celina.
Calling hours are 9-11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Eichler to a charity of donor's choice.
JOHNSON
Troy A. Johnson, 36, of 10395 Upp Road, died Saturday, July 19, 2003, in Dallas, Texas.
He was born May 17, 1967, in Franklin County, the son of Donald and Patricia (Dunlap) Johnson, both of whom survive in Van Wert.
Mr. Johnson was a truck driver for USA Trucking Co. He was a graduate of Van Wert High School, was a veteran of the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm and was a graduate of ITT in Fort Wayne, Ind.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a son, Christopher Johnson of Highland, Mich.; one daughter, Samantha Johnson of Highland; a maternal grandmother, Marcile Dunlap of Van Wert; one paternal grandmother, Dorothy Death of Van Wert, and one sister, Tammy Sue Johnson of Dublin.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Paul Miller officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert.
Calling hours are from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Johnson to a charity of donor's choice.
WORTMAN
Imogene Wortman, 86, of 11657 Feasby-Wisener Road, died at 8:19 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2003, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
She was born September 5, 1916, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Elmer and Mable (Smith) Speelman. She married George Wortman, who died in 1975.
Mrs. Wortman drove a school bus for 27 years for Crestview Local School District and also helped her husband farm and breed sheep. She was a member of North Union United Methodist Church in Van Wert County and a former member of the Van Wert County Fair Board. She was an honorary member of the Crestview FFA.
Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Judy Wortman of Van Wert; one brother, Carl (Rosalyn) Speelman of Van Wert; five grandchildren, Greg (Lisa) Wortman, Mike (Christy) Wortman, Scott Wortman, Kathy (Josh) Overmyer and, Cindy (Dave) Lamb and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Harold Wortman; two brothers, Earl and Alfred Speelman; one sister, Leola Davis, and one grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. MaryAnn Tomlinson officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Wortman to the Crestview FFA and to North Union UM Church.
KEIPPER
Patrick James Keipper, 46, of Van Wert, died at 3:12 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2003, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born March 21, 1957, in Wiesbaden, Germany, the son of Martha E. Schilling of Van Wert and the late Robert V. Keipper.
Mr. Keipper was a member of St. Marys of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert and was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a member of American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert and Vietnam Veterans of America. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by two brothers, Colin (Gladys) Keipper of Norfolk, Va., and Edward Keipper of Van Wert; four sisters, Mary (Dennis) Sandel of Convoy, Vanessa (Mike) Shaver of Logansport, Ind., and Suzie (Tim) Emrick and Laura Mason, both of Van Wert, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Brickner Funeral Home, with Deacon Andrew McMahon officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert, with graveside military services conducted by the combined honors unit of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803.
Calling hours will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Keipper to the church.
GRIBLER
Elizabeth "Betty" Gribler, 88, of Van Wert, died at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born January 30, 1915, in Putnam County, the daughter of the late Jason Stephen and Lucy Ann (Post) Agner. On October 6, 1940, she married C. Graydon Gribler, who died January 10, 1989.
Mrs. Gribler was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert and the United Methodist Women of the church, which she had served many years as a secretary. She also had belonged to the First UM Joy Bunch, the Pal-O-Mine Club and the Hoaglin-Jackson Sunrise Club.
Survivors include a son, Alan (Lisa) Gribler of Ashville; two daughters, Ann (Harold) Zinsmeister of Spencerville and Cheryl (Carlos) Baker of Van Wert; a brother, James Agner of Monroe; seven grandchildren, Gregory Zinsmeister of Lima, Marc Baker of Convoy, Amy Edgington of Lima, Steve Baker of Van Wert, Angela Bigham of Ohio City, Matthew Gribler and Troy Gribler, both of Ashville, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Gribler to First United Methodist Church.
LEHMANN
Michael E. Lehmann, 65, of Delphos, died at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2003, at his residence.
He was born April 2, 1938, in Delphos, the son of the lte Morris "Didd" and Martha (Holdgreve) Lehmann. On December 26, 1959, he married Marthanne Guthrie, who survives in Delphos.
Mr. Lehmann was the retired owner of Lehmann's Furniture Store in Delphos. He was a member of St. John the Evangelistic Catholic Church in Delphos and was a graduate of St. John's High School in 1956. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served two years as an electrician on the USS Lake Champlain. He was a member of the Delphos Canal Commission, Delphos Eagles, Delphos Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Delphos Chamber of Commerce, of which he was a past president. He also was past president of the Delphos Jaycees.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Chris F. Lehmann of Delphos; one daughter, Susan (Ed) Miller of Elida; a sister, Diana Ireland of Delphos; one son-in-law, Charles E. Klausing of Elida, and five grandchildren, Josh and Rachel Miller and Nicole, Justin and Scott Klausing.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca "Becky" Klausing, who passed away in 2000.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at St. John the Evangelistic Catholic Church in Delphos, with Father Thomas Gorman officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Delphos.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Saturday and 2-8 p.m. Sunday at Harter & Son Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Lehmann to the Delphos Canal Commission, St. Rita's Hospice, the American Cancer Society or a charity of donor's choice.
DEATH
Dorothy M. Death, 91, of 1201 E. Ervin Road, died at 8:50 a.m. Thursday, July 24, 2003, at Haven of Help in Van Wert.
She was born July 29, 1911, in Paulding County, the daughter of the late Stephen N. and Azalea D. (Anspach) Lee. In 1965, she married Dale Death, who died in March 1974.
Mrs. Death retired from Federal-Mogul Corp. in 1973 after 20 years of service. She was a member of the Silver Seals (Federal-Mogul retirees group).
Survivors include a son, Donald G. (Pat) Johnson of Van Wert; two daughters, Dorothy L. (Robert) Stemen and Carolyn M. (Richard) Goodwin, both of Van Wert; one brother, Glen A. Lee of Convoy; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Lee; two sisters, Florence E. Lee and a sister in infancy, and a grandson, Troy A. Johnson, who died July 19, 2003.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Bill Jeffress of First Church of God officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Adams County, Ind.
Calling hours will be two hours prior to services on Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Death to a charity of donor's choice.
