Ruth E. Miller
(1911 - 2002)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Ruth E. Miller, 90, of Sarasota, and formerly of Stryker and Edgerton, Ohio, died Feb. 26, 2002, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota.
Born March 24, 1911, in Archbold, Ohio, to Gertrude (Cramer) and Charles N. Bernath, she was married to Edward H. Miller.
A 1932 graduate of Bowling Green State University, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and education. A secretary of the Seven Sister society at Bowling Green, she was a member of the Book and Motor scholastic honor society, Pi Kappa Delta national forensic fraternity and she wrote for the Bee Gee college newspaper and The Key yearbook. She had been a cheerleader while attending Stryker High School.
Upon graduation, she taught high school for a number of years in Williams County, Ohio. She and her husband had moved to Findlay in 1944, where they lived for nearly 40 years. They moved to Sarasota upon her husband's retirement in 1983.
Surviving are a daughter, Linda L. Brooks of Lindenhurst, N.Y.; a son, Thomas E. Miller of Ithaca, N.Y.; a sister, Mary J. Juillard of Stryker, Ohio; and a brother, James T. Bernath of Stryker, Ohio.
A memorial service was held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sarasota.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 2256 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, FL, 34239 or to the Sunnyside Singers Fund, 5201 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL 34232.
Veda Margaret Marshall
(1920 - 2002)
Veda Margaret Marshall, 81, of Bryan, died Friday, March 15, 2002. Born May 19, 1920, in Toledo, to Jennie (Pease) and Henry Hohenberger, she married Marvin D. Marshall on Feb. 6, 1939, in Edgerton, and he survives.
Surviving, in addition to her husband of 63 years, are two daughters, Mrs. William (Judith) Yahraus of Bryan, Mrs. Dale (Jerra Mae) Huffman of Columbus; five grandchildren, Bradley Yahraus of Eureka, Calif., Jeffrey (and wife, Jane) Yahraus, Daniel (Dottie) Yahraus, Mrs. Mark (Jane) Kelly, and Mrs. Joseph (Wendy) Garza, all of Bryan; seven great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Ryan, Beth, Andrea and Anna Yahraus and Cassandra and Stuart Martin; and a great-great-granddaughter, Samantha Yahraus.
There will be a memorial service held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church. Rice Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dilworth Center or Wesley United Methodist Church.
Ronald Essi
Ronald Essi, 66, of Covina, Calif., and formerly of Bryan until 1963, died Wednesday, March 20, 2002.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Essi who were involved with the Essi Ice Cream Parlor on the north side of the square.
A memorial service will be held in Bryan next summer.
Florence L. Bedford
(1914 - 2002)
MORENCI, Mich. - Florence L. Bedford, 88, of Morenci, Mich., died Wednesday, March 20, 2002, in Fenton, Mich.
Born Jan. 18, 1914, in Adrian, Mich., to Emma (Zindler) and Arthur Hunter, she and raised by Carrie and Harry Knight of Blissfield, Mich. She married Hal W. Driscoll on June 20, 1936, in Blissfield, and he preceded her in death on Dec. 24, 1966. She then married Harry L. Bedford on June 15, 1973, in Morenci, and he preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 1991.
A lifelong Lenawee County area resident, she graduated from Blissfield High School in 1932 and received a teaching certificate from Ypsilanti Normal College in 1934. She taught in a small country school in Lenawee County, was employed at Rexall Drug in Morenci for several years. She was a member of Munson United Brethren Church.
Surviving are two daughters; a son; three stepchildren, including Mrs. Edward (Barbara) Geren and H. Jane Crooks, both of Bryan, Ohio; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her husbands, were her parents, four sisters and two brothers.
Visitation will be held Saturday from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. in the Eagle Funeral Home-Charles Fink Chapel in Morenci.
Funeral services will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment
will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Morenci.
Memorials may be made to the Munson United Brethren Church.
Kathleen S. Patterson
(1934 - 2002)
ARCHBOLD - Kathleen S. Patterson, 67, of Archbold, died suddenly Monday night, March 18, 2002, in her home.
Born Dec. 17, 1934, near Wilburn, Ariz., she was the daughter of Ida Mae (Philmade) and Walter Scott.
After moving to Archbold in 1970, she worked at Lange's Bakery, at Fairlawn Haven and retired from ITT Higbie in 1999. For several years, she did volunteer work at Fairlawn Haven. She was a member of the Central Mennonite Church.
Surviving are three sons, Glenn (and wife, Deborah) Patterson of Stryker, Cliff (Sydney) Patterson and Willard (Kimberly) Patterson, both of Archbold; two daughters, Mrs. Larry (Christine) Oswalt of Archbold and Mrs. Gary (Annette) Hill of Stryker; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five brothers, Elmer Scott of Ola, Ariz., Arlen Scott of Rover, Ariz., Shelby Scott of Danville, Ariz., Donald Scott and Lloyd Scott, both of Plainview, Ariz.; four sisters, RosaLee Hooker of Plainview, Ariz., Lois Valquez and Gladys Gibson, both living in California and Hazel Weems of Plainville, Ariz.
Preceding her in death were her parents; three brothers, Albert Scott, Lellus Scott and Thurman Scott; and a sister, Willa Jean.
Visitation will be held Friday from 2-9 p.m. in the Short Funeral Home in Archbold.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Central Mennonite Church with Pastors Cliff Brubaker, Jeff Smith and Charles Gautsche to officiate. Interment
will follow in the Pettisville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Fairlawn Chapel or Central Mennonite Church.
Gaven Charles Newcomb
(2001 - 2002)
MONROE - Gaven Charles Newcomb, two months, of Monroe, died Thursday, March 14, 2002, at the Toledo Hospital, where he had been for two weeks.
Born Dec. 29, 2001, in Sylvania, he was the son of Signe M. (Gould) and Charles D. "Chaz" Newcomb.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by two brothers, Davrin D. Newcomb and Nolan M. Beamsley; a sister, Ada C. Beamsley; four grandparents, Susan Newcomb of West Unity, Greg and Joan Johnson of Denver, Colo., and Hal Gould of Denver, Colo.; and a great-grandmother, Ruth Gorsuch of West Unity.
Funeral services were held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the temporary location of the First Church of the Nazarene. Burial was Monday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the building fund at the First Church of the Nazarene.
Naomi Elizabeth Meyer
(1911 - 2002)
EDGERTON - Naomi Elizabeth Meyer, 90, a former resident of Edgerton and Bryan, died Thursday, March 7, 2002, in Shoreview, Minn., where she had moved in 1996 to be near her son and his family.
Born June 8, 1911, in Edgerton, to Martha May (Prentice) and John Americus Engler, she married John J. Meyer on April 10, 1938, in Edgerton, and he preceded her in death in 1978.
A homemaker and talented artist, she was a long-time member of Faith United Methodist Church in Bryan and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Surviving is a son, Neal (and wife, Lucille) Meyer of Shoreview, Minn.; three granddaughters, Mrs. Richard (Melissa) Bauer, Mrs. James (Marni) Kaufer and Mrs. Chad (Miranda) Attlesey and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Russell "Hap" Engler and Donald Engler; and a sister, Harriett (Engler) Marshall.
Services were held in Shoreview on March 10. Burial was at Maple Grove Cemetery in Edgerton on March 18.
Local arrangements were by Krill Funeral Service, Edgerton.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Helen Marie Dolan
(1907 - 2002)
MONTPELIER - Helen Marie Dolan, 94, of Toledo and formerly of Montpelier, died Sunday, March 17, 2002, at Harborside Healthcare Northwestern Ohio-Defiance.
Born Aug. 28, 1907, in Montpelier, to Emma G. (Fisher) and Sheldon F. Greek, she married Thomas D. Dolan on Sept. 26, 1964, in West Unity, and he preceded her in death in 1996.
She retired as a secretary from Gerity-Schultz Corp. in Toledo in the early 1970's. She was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Toledo.
Surviving are a nephew, Charles (and wife, Donna) Hollstein of Napoleon; two great-nieces, Karen Newcomb of Wauseon and Kathy Kruse of Westerville; four great-great-nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline Hollstein in Aug. 1976.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, from noon until the time of service, in Thompson Funeral Home-Montpelier.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the funeral home with Deacon Ralph Dominique to officiate. Interment
will be in Riverside Cemetery, Montpelier.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Otto R. Hunter
(1910 - 2002)
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Otto R. Hunter, 91, of Fort Wayne, Ind., died March 17, 2002, in Woodview Health Care Center, Fort Wayne.
Born Aug. 25, 1910, in Bowling Green, Ohio, he was the son of Rosa (Greiner) and Otho Hunter. An Army veteran of World War II, he was also a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was employed as a machinist at Tokheim and was also artist.
Survivors include a daughter, Frances Walters of Hamilton; a grandson, Randall Ott of Antwerp, Ohio; two granddaughters, Rhonda Friend of Antwerp, Ohio and Renee Dirrim of Edgerton, Ohio; and four great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were a twin brother, Otho Hunter; and wives, Ruth Jennings, who died in 1952; Genevieve Powell, who died in 1978; and Annabelle Tosconi, who died in 1997.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from 10 a.m. until noon in the Dooley Funeral Home, Antwerp, Ohio.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. at Woodview Health Care Center, 3420 E. State, Fort Wayne. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Saint MaryŐs Catholic Church, Antwerp, Ohio, with Father Herman Scherger and Deacon Robert Nighswander to officiate.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Virginia M. Hachtel
(1909 - 2002)
DEFIANCE - Virginia M. Hachtel, 92, of Defiance and formerly of West Unity, died early Sunday morning, March 17, 2002, in Defiance Hospital.
Born Dec. 16, 1909, in Skaneateles, N.Y., to Jennie (Beebe) and Charles Edson, she married Rueben Hachtel in 1941 and he preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 1999.
A member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Defiance, she was a homemaker and a member of the United Methodist Women, the Carnation Literary Club and the Brady Grange.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Jennie) Borton of Defiance and Susan Hachtel of Lander, Wyo.; two sons, John Hachtel of Middleton, Tenn., and George "Hap" Hachtel of Mount Enterprise, Texas; a brother, Willard Edson of Toledo; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death was a sister, Jeanette Vrooman.
Memorial services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Paul's United Methodist Church with the Rev. Todd Anderson to officiate. There will be no visitation. Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist's Food Pantry or the Defiance Senior Center.
Edna Mae Cox
MONTPELIER - Edna Mae Cox, 93, formerly of Montpelier, died March 5, 2002, at the home of her son in Noble, La.
The daughter of Minnie (Creek) and William D. Zigler, she married Joseph Cox in Fort Wayne, Ind. in 1933, and he preceded her in death in 1981.
A 1926 graduate of Montpelier High School, she went on to attend International Business College in Fort Wayne, Ind. She and her husband lived in Fort Wayne until his retirement and then moved to Spring Lake at Coldwater, Mich. In 1997, she moved to Louisiana with her son and his wife. Surviving are a son, Ronald (and wife, Ellen) of Noble, La.; a sister, Lois Smith of Harlan, Ind.; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Loretta Zigler of Montpelier; three nieces; two grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, John, Paul, William Jr. and Richard.
Visitation was held Sunday, March 10, in Bronson, Mich.
Graveside services were held Monday, March 11, in Green Lawn Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Sara Joy Burkholder
(1976 - 2002)
ARCHBOLD - Sara Joy Burkholder, 25, of Archbold, died unexpectedly Friday afternoon, March 15, 2002, at the Fulton County Health Center in Wauseon.
Born Dec. 16, 1976, at Monroe, Wis., to Pamela (Clair) and Charles Rychener, she married Jay Burkholder on July 8, 2000 and he survives.
A 1995 graduate of Archbold High School, where she was on the National Honor Society and active in sports and music, she received her degree in education from Anderson University at Anderson, Ind., in 2000. A seventh grade teacher of language arts at the Burr Road Middle School in Wauseon, she was a member of the Pettisville Missionary Church where she was a Junior High Youth Sponsor.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by an infant son, Jackson David Burkholder; her parents, Charles and Pamela Rychener of Archbold; two brothers, Matthew (and wife, Julie) Rychener and Joshua (Janelle) Rychener, both of Archbold; a sister Rebekah Rychener of Archbold; grandparents, William "Bill" and Ruth Clair of Archbold and Dorothy "Chub" Rychener of Archbold; and father and mother-in-law, David and Judith Burkholder of Wauseon.
Preceding her in death was a grandfather, Glen Rychener.
Visitation will be held Monday from 3-9 p.m. and Tuesday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Pettisville Missionary Church Fellowship Hall.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Pettisville Missionary Church with Pastor John Horning and Pastor David Dyck to officiate. Interment
will precede in the Pettisville Cemetery.
Short Funeral Home in Archbold is in charge of the arrangements.
Viola Woodgeard
LANCASTER - Viola Woodgeard, 91, of Lancaster, died Friday, March 15, 2002, in Lancaster. Surviving are three sons, Dr. Bob (and wife, Sammy) Woodgeard of Bryan, Don Woodgeard and Dick (Bobbie) Woodgeard; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Delmas.
Arrangements are pending with Halteman-Fett-Dyer Funeral Home in Lancaster.
James A. "Jim" Thornburg
(1938 - 2002)
James A. "Jim" Thornburg, 63, of Bryan, died Friday morning, March 15, 2002, at his residence.
The son of Leona (Gonser) and Willis Thornburg, he was born in Hicksville on June 16, 1938.
A 1957 graduate of Central High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., he was employed by Pet Milk Co. of Bryan for over 19 years and ITT Industries in Archbold for 16 years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served from 1961-1967, and was a member of the First Church of Christ in Bryan, the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Bryan, the Loyal Order of Moose in Defiance and the Fort Defiance Wings Motorcycle Club, Chapter M-2.
Surviving are his wife, Marilyn Thornburg; a daughter, Mrs. John (Jane) Lime of Ayersville; a granddaughter, Julie Lime of Ayersville; a grandson, James Lime of Ayersville; three brothers, Ralph Thornburg, Denver (and wife, Alma) Thornburg of Bryan, and Frances "Butch" (Ruth) Miller of Hicksville; and a sister, Mrs. Michael (Sherlene) Hoffman of Bryan.
Visitation will be Monday from 2-8 p.m. at the Oberlin-Ford Funeral Home in Bryan. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Snavely and Dean Phillips officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Community Hospitals of Williams County-Hospice.
Helen F. Meyers
LARGO, Fla. - Helen F. (Phillips) Meyers, 83, of Largo, died suddenly Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, while doing volunteer work at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines.
Born in Toledo, Ohio, she was a 1936 graduate of Bryan High School in Bryan, Ohio. She was married for 56 years to Kenneth F. Meyers, and he survives.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, she was a retired secretary, and had worked for Largo Optical Company. She was a member of St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church in Largo, the AARP, National WAVES Association and the American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach. She had worked for many years as a volunteer at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are several nieces and nephews.
Lewis W. Mohn Funeral Homes and Cremation Service in Seminole was in charge of arrangements.
Mildred B. Borton
(1911 - 2002)
NEY - Mildred B. Borton, 90, of Ney, died Friday evening, March 15, 2002, in her home.
The daughter of Matilda (Mack) and Elmer Shannon, she was born June 2, 1911, in Washington Township in Defiance County. In 1933 she married Robert Cromwell, and he preceded her in death in 1951. She then married Francis Borton Jr. in 1968, and he survives.
A member of the Marysdale Immaculate Conception Church and the Altar Society, she had worked at Ohio Art for about 30 years.
Surviving, in addition to her husband Francis, are two sons, Robert C. Cromwell of Montpelier and Richard Cromwell of Ney; a daughter, Mrs. Billy (LaDonna) Hoffman of Coldwater, Mich.; four brothers, Don Shannon of Zephyrhills, Fla., George Shannon of Defiance, Paul Shannon of Lakeland, Fla. and Charles Shannon of Versailles, Ky.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her husband Robert, were a sister, Betty Shannon; her brothers, Harold and Bob Shannon, and an infant, Irvin Shannon; and a grandson.
Visitation will be Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in the Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home in Defiance, with the Rosary being recited at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Marysdale Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Father William Martin officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Defiance County Hospice, the Caring Way, or to the Marysdale Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Charles F. Hamet
(1920 - 2002)
PIONEER - Charles F. Hamet, 81, of Pioneer, died Thursday, March 14, 2002, at Defiance Hospital. Born June 18, 1920, in Stryker, to Mabel (Bruot) and Floyd Hamet, he married Wilma L. Brigle, and she preceded him in death in January 2000.
A 1938 graduate of Stryker High School, he was an advertising salesman for approximately 40 years, most of which were with Thos. D. Murphy Co. He was also a farmer in Madison and Florence Townships and sold farm implements and seeds door-to-door. A milk man in Pioneer and Montpelier for Sterling Dairy, he was also interested in antiques and had a store in Pioneer. A longtime member of Pioneer Chamber of Commerce, he was a 26-year and charter member of the Pioneer Lions Club and was a member of the Pioneer United Methodist Church.
Surviving are a son, Kenneth (and wife, Darlene) Hamet of Defiance; three grandchildren, Mark and Michael Hamet of Columbus and Craig Hamet of Defiance; two great-grandchildren; and a stepgreat-grandchild.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and a set of twin sons. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2-8 p.m. in the Thompson Funeral Home-Pioneer, with a service to be held by the Pioneer LionŐs Club at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Pioneer United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lee Ortman to officiate. Interment
will be in Riverside Cemetery, Montpelier.
Memorials may be made to the Pioneer United Methodist Church.
Dorothy J. Siler
(1940 - 2002)
PIONEER - Dorothy J. Siler, 61, of Pioneer, died Friday, March 15, 2002, in her home.
The daughter of Phyllis E. (Black) and Harold J. Ott, she was born September 25, 1940, in Wood County. On August 30, 1962, she married Garrey L. Siler, and he survives.
A 1958 graduate of Anthony Wayne High School in White House, she attended nursing school and graduated in 1960 as a LPN. A member of the Madison Church of God in rural Montpelier, she had retired as an LPN from the former Williams County General Hospital in Montpelier.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are a sister, Kathy Ott of Grand Rapids, Ohio; a brother, Charles (and wife, Colleen) Ott of Eaton Rapids, Mich.; and two nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home in Montpelier. Further visitation will be held at the Wright Funeral Home in Grand Rapids from 6-8 p.m. Monday.
Services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at the Madison Church of God in rural Montpelier, with the Rev. Robert V. Waggoner officiating. Interment, with a graveside services, will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Grand Rapids.
Memorials may be made to the Madison Church of God.
Ramon K. Long
(1927 - 2002)
MONTPELIER - Ramon Kenneth "Ray" Long, 74, of Claremore, Okla., and formerly of Montpelier, died Wednesday, March 13, 2002.
The son of Helen (Burton) and Kenneth Long, he was born Dec. 19, 1927, in Montpelier. In 1954 he married Dorothy Mae Lirot at Montpelier, and she preceded him in death in 1996.
A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, he had been employed as a railroad engineer.
Surviving are four children, Jeff Long of Montpelier, Dave (and wife, Kathy) Long of Cape Coral, Fla., Eric (Debbie) of Claremore, Okla., Mrs. Chip (Micki) Ramsey of Columbus; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Joann Thorpe of Venice, Fla.
Visitation will be Monday from 6-8 p.m. in the Thompson Funeral Home in Montpelier.
Services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the funeral home, with the Rev. Linda S. Carter officiating. Interment
will be in Riverside Cemetery in Montpelier.
Memorials may be made to the Williams County Senior Center.
Hal Anders
(1928 - 2002)
PIONEER - Hal Anders, 73, of Dallas, Texas, died Feb. 25, 2002, in Dallas.
He was born Sept. 28, 1928, in Pioneer, Ohio.
Memorial services were held Saturday, March 9, 2002, at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, with Doris Manning to officiate.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements are by North Texas Cremation Society.
