From the Crescent News, Defiance, Ohio, January 17, 2001
Phillip Klear
NEW BAVARIA - Phillip Anthony Klear was stillborn Saturday in Defiance Hospital.
Surviving are his parents, Anthony and Kaylon (Dishong) Klear, New Bavaria; two brothers, Nicholas and Christopher, at home; two sisters, Rebecca and Theresa, at home; and grandparents, Kenneth and Mary Klear of North Creek and Norbert and Sharon Dishong, Holgate.
Private services were held Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Bavaria, with Father Stephen Stanbery and Deacon Kenneth Klear officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Walker Funeral Home, Toledo, handled arrangements.
Donna Fritz
PLANT CITY, Fla. - Word was received of the Jan. 4 death of former Bryan resident Donna V. Fritz, 74, Plant City, in South Florida Baptist Hospital following an extended illness.
Surviving are her husband, John, Plant City; three daughters, Carol Method Kibler of Cape Coral, Paulette Kay of Dublin and Denise Mills, Bettendorf, Iowa; a son, Jon, Holland; two sisters, Geraldine Richardson of Farmer and Phyllis Griffin, San Diego, Calif.; a brother, Wendell Heisler, Hicksville; and eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Edgerton.
Rev. Carl Hoch
Services for Rev. Carl A. Hoch were held Tuesday in Grace Episcopal Church with Father Scott Woodstuff officiating. Burial was in Flick Cemetery, Hancock County. Organist was Barb Stephens. Pallbearers were John, Lynn and Ralph Wolford, Lee Decker, Floyd Nicely and Richard Boop. Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home handled arrangements.
From the Crescent News, Defiance, Ohio, January 18, 2001
Gerald Finn
Gerald (Jerry) L. Finn, 60, Defiance, died Monday in his home.
He was born Jan. 10, 1941, in Defiance, the son of John and Margaret (Bullinger) Finn. In 1981, he married Mert Traxler, who survives. He was the owner and operator of Finn's Shell Gas Station, retiring in 1995 after 36 years, and a former member of Defiance County Sheriff's Posse. He was the co-founder of the Maumee Valley Car Club and a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Elks Lodge 147, Eagles Aerie 372 and AMVETS Post 1991.
Also surviving are a daughter, Joelle Rubcich, Westerville; a son, Jay, Napoleon; a stepson, Jeffrey Wright, Fort Wayne; a stepdaughter, Sheila Doan, Mark Center; a brother, William, Defiance; two sisters, Mrs. Gary (Mary Kay) Reineke and Carolyn Sines, both of Defiance; and five grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and a brother, G. Eugene.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the church with Rev. Robert Mix officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation is from 2-9 p.m. today in Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Friday at the church.
Preferred memorials are to a charity of the donor's choice.
Gerald Finn
Services for Gerald (Jerry) L. Finn, were held Friday in Zion Lutheran Church, with Rev. Robert Mix officiating. Music was provided by Neal Deniston. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mike, Pat and John Finn, Matt and Chad Reineke and Chris and Jeff Sines. Handling arrangements was Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home.
Linda Zimmerman
Linda Ann Zimmerman, 51, Defiance, died at 3:14 a.m. Wednesday in Toledo Hospital.
She was born June 6, 1949, in Defiance, the daughter of Harold and Kathleen (Keeterle) Bauman Jr. In 1973, she married Bill Zimmerman, who survives. She was a homemaker.
Also surviving are her mother, Defiance; a daughter, Mrs. Michael (Shelly) Strube, Toledo; three sons, Bill of Bowling Green and Greg and Thomas, both of Defiance; two sisters, Debbie Stoepfel of Defiance and Becky Place, Yakima, Wash.; a brother, Danny Bauman, Defiance; and four grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her father; and a granddaughter.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home with Rev. Donald Luhring officiating. Burial will be in Milton Cemetery, Custar. Visitation is from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today.
Preferred memorials are to the family.
Linda Zimmerman
Services for Linda Ann Zimmerman were held Friday at Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home with Rev. Donald Luhring officiating. Burial was in Milton Cemetery, Custar. Pallbearers were William, Gregory and Thomas Zimmerman, Michael Strube, Danny Bauman and David Stoepfel. Honorary pallbearers were Gary and Andrew Perchikoff, Austin Zimmerman and Kenny Palmer.
Agnes Hartman
ANTWERP - Former Antwerp resident Agnes Mae Hartman, 86, Kettering, died Tuesday morning at Kettering Medical Center.
She was born June 6, 1914, in Pleasant Hills, Ind., the daughter of Harry and Bertha (Tyndal) Fuhrman. In 1936, she married Harry Hartman, who died in 1984. She was a homemaker and member of Calvary Bible Church in Paulding and Epiphany Lutheran Church, Centerville.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Lonny (Sue Ellen) Fry of Centerville and Mrs. Jerry (Patricia) Poyser, Angola, Ind.; and five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Also preceding her in death were two brothers, Dale and Robert Fuhrman; and two sisters, Bernice Fuhrman and Myrtle Mounsey.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Den Herder Funeral Home, Paulding, with Rev. Ann Marie Winters officiating. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday in Bluffton Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery, Bluffton, Ind. Visitation is from 11 a.m. Friday until services.
Preferred memorials are to either church.
Freeman Riegsecker
ARCHBOLD - Freeman L. Riegsecker, 75, Archbold, died Tuesday afternoon at Medical College of Ohio Hospital, Toledo.
He was born March 10, 1925, near Archbold, the son of Louis and Della (Stutzman) Riegsecker. In 1946, he married JoAnn Loveland, who survives. He was a farmer and worked at Sauder Woodworking Co., Archbold, for 28 years before retiring. A member of First Baptist Church, Stryker, he served as a trustee.
Also surviving are four sons, David of Greencastle, Pa., Steven of Wauseon, Kevin of Archbold and Timothy, Colorado Springs, Colo.; a daughter, Mrs. Duane (Barbara) Short, Archbold; two brothers, Orval and Donald, both of Archbold; three sisters, Mrs. Stanley (Virgie) Aschliman of Stryker and Mrs. Wayne (Arlene) Wyse and Mrs. Merle (Shirley) Klopfenstein, both of Archbold; and eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers, Louis Jr., Edward, Dale and Earl; two sisters, Mildred and Florence; and a granddaughter.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the church with Revs. Daniel Douglass and Melvin Keeler officiating. Burial will be in Pettisville Cemetery. Visitation is from 6-9 p.m. today and from 2-9 p.m. Friday in the church. Handling arrangements is Short Funeral Home, Archbold.
Preferred memorials are to the church or the family's choice.
Hazel Burkholder
ARCHBOLD - Hazel A. Burkholder, 91, Archbold, died Wednesday morning in Northcrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Napoleon.
She was born Aug. 13, 1909, in Henry County, the daughter of Ernest and Bertha (Bales) Durham. In 1930, she married Jacob Burkholder, who died in 1986. She taught in Fulton County schools for 27 years and was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Archbold, Ohio Retired Teachers' Association, Fulton County Retired Teachers' Association and Archbold Women's Reading Club.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Carlos (Joyce) Bernath, Archbold; and a grandson and three great-grandchildren.
Also preceding her in death were a brother, Ray Durham; and a sister, Olive Olney.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the church with Rev. David Voll officiating. Burial will be in Winameg Cemetery, near Wauseon. Visitation is from 4-9 p.m. Friday in Grisier Funeral Home, Archbold.
Preferred memorials are to Gideons International or the church.
James Beegle
CONTINENTAL - James W. Beegle, 53, Continental, died Sunday in Harborside Healthcare, Bryan.
He was born March 21, 1947, in Cottageville. W.Va., the son of William and April (Scarberry) Beegle. He married Elaine Ott, who survives. He was a driver for Conrad's Trucking, Van Wert, and a U.S. Army veteran, serving two tours during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and NCO Professional Development Ribbon Marksman honor.
Also surviving are a daughter, Tina Swickratch, Van Wert; a brother, Ralph Sayre, Conneaut; two sisters, Carol Davis of Ashtabula and Pam Mohr, Convoy; and two grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
A military service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Continental American Legion with Rev. Doug Price officiating. Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery, Washington, D.C. There will be no visitation. Handling arrangements is Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Continental.
Everett Bechtol
FLORIDA - Everett R. Bechtol, 91, Florida, died Wednesday evening at Defiance Hospital.
He was born July 20, 1909, in Defiance County, the son of Albert and Mabel (Andrew) Bechtol. In 1933, he married Ethel Shawver, who survives. He retired from Allstar Products, Defiance, after 34 years, and was a member of Florida United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee. He was a member of Napoleon Masonic Lodge 256 and a former member of Florida Village Council and Florida Flatrock Fire Department.
Also surviving are three sons, James of Florida and John and William Bechtol, both of Napoleon; and eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was a brother, Richard.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the church with Rev. Brian Arnold officiating. Burial will be in Florida Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday with a Masonic service at 7:30 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to the church, American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor's choice.
Donald Ammerman
HICKSVILLE - Donald R. Ammerman, 60, Hicksville, died at 11 p.m. Saturday in Community Memorial Hospital, Hicksville.
He was born Nov. 10, 1940, in Richmond, Ind., the son of Claude and Farah (Berger) Ammerman. In 1989, he married Beverly Sutton McLaughlin, who died in 1999.
Surviving are four sisters, Phyllis Shoemaker of Texas, Loretta Colvin of Indiana, Claudia Key of Tennessee and Valaria Rist, Ohio; a half sister, Rosemary Bogue, Indiana; and two half brothers, Dennis Ammerman and Tony Fritsch, both of Ohio.
Also preceding him in death were his parents.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Brown Funeral Home, Hicksville.
Grace Yager
Services were held Wednesday for Grace V. Yager at Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Grow officiating. Burial was in Riverview Memory Gardens. Pallbearers were Allen, Terry, Tom and Jim Ruch, Kenny West, Kevin and DeAnn Pitts and Tom Fugate. Honorary pallbearers were Jack Carnahan, Randy, Rick and Dan Ball and Richard Kullen.
LaMoille Allgire
Services for LaMoille (Molly) M. Allgire were held Wednesday in First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Heather Christensen officiating. Music was provided by Lori Schultz and Harold Cook. Burial was in Riverview Memory Gardens. Pallbearers were Chad Cox, David Coffman, Nick and Andy Allgire, Chris Wagner and Bill Myers. Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home handled arrangements.
From the Crescent News, Defiance, Ohio, January 19, 2001
Beulah Gordon
ANTWERP - Beulah M. Gordon, 86, rural Antwerp, died at 12:20 a.m. Thursday in Laurels of DeKalb County, Butler, Ind.
She was born Aug. 31, 1914, in Defiance County, the daughter of Ira and Helen (Breininger) Kline. She married Morris Gillespie, who died in 1952. In 1955, she married Francis Gordon, who died in 1973. She retired in 1965 from National Ideal, Hicksville, and was a member of Hicksville's Grace United Methodist Church, Hicksville Eastern Star, VFW Auxiliary, Jolly Elders, Rosedale Club and Fairview Grange.
Surviving are two sons, Robert Gillespie of Hicksville and Raymond Gillespie, Antwerp; three sisters, Wandas Babcock of Hicksville, Kathryn Cooper of Sherwood and Vera Newenschwander, Fort Wayne; and five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
Also preceding her in death were five brothers, Ira Jr., Fremont, Donald, Berlin and Otto Kline.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Brown Funeral Home, Hicksville, with Rev. Pentti Maki officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery, Hicksville. Visitation is after 2 p.m. today and after 9 a.m. Saturday.
Preferred memorials are to a charity of the donor's choice.
Richard Hull
ASHVILLE, Ala. - Richard Dee Hull, 73, Ashville, died Wednesday at Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Gadsden.
He was born July 26, 1927, in Celina, the son of Clarence and Margie (Ginter) Hull. He married Delores Shadrack, who survives. He was a truck driver and a member of the Methodist church and Eagles aerie.
Also surviving are a daughter, Margie Hubert, Celina; three sons, Jeffery of Hicksville, Jonnie of Bryan and Richard, Ashville; a sister, Jerry Bright, Findlay; and 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Handling arrangements is Morgan Funeral Chapel, Attalla.
Beverly Corwin
CAMDEN, Mich. - Beverly L. Corwin, 61, Camden, died Wednesday in Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo.
She was born Feb. 17, 1939, in Whitley County, Ind., the daughter of E. Kenneth and B. Lucille (Crabill) Byers. In 1989, she married Clint Corwin, who survives. She was co-owner of Stryker L.P. and a member of Moose Lodge 1064 Auxiliary in Bryan and Roann Church of the Brethren, Roann, Ind.
Also surviving are her father, Roann; four sons, Ladd Kinzie of Des Moines, Iowa, Kenneth Kinzie of Fort Wayne, Roger Kinzie of Montpelier and Michael Fee, Marysville; a daughter, Mrs. Ron (Lee Ann) Hannold, Charlotte, Mich.; two stepsons, Steve Corwin of Allen, Mich., and Doug Corwin, Fort Wayne; two sisters, Karel Long and Linda Harris, both of Roann; a brother, Dr. Michael Byers, State College, Pa.; and 17 grandchildren.
Preceding her in death was her mother.
Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Williams Center Cemetery with Rev. Tamara Russell officiating. Visitation is from 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday in Rice Funeral Home, Bryan.
Preferred memorials are to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.
Everett Bechtol
FLORIDA - Services for Everett R. Bechtol will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Florida United Methodist Church with Rev. Brian Arnold officiating. Burial will be in Florida Cemetery. Visitation is from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today in Walker Mortuary, Napoleon, with a Masonic service at 7:30 p.m.
Mildred Swires
Fort Myers, Fla. - Former Defiance County resident Mildred Swires, 91, Fort Myers, died Tuesday in her home.
She was born May 31, 1909, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Barnhart) Goodenough. She married Oscar Sanders, who died in 1953. She later married Raymond Swires, who died in 1979.
Surviving are a son, Robert Sanders, Ney; a daughter, Brenda, North Fort Myers; two stepsons, Donald Sanders of Defiance and Gerald Sanders, Tallahassee; a stepdaughter, Wanda Highland, North Fort Myers; and six grandchildren and eight stepgrandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in McFarland Funeral Home, Dearborn, Mich.
Marylynn Andrews
LIBERTY CENTER - Marylynn Mae Andrews, 80, Liberty Center, died Thursday morning in Henry County Hospital, Napoleon.
She was born May 13, 1920, in Findlay, the daughter of Samuel and Edith (Thiesen) Jones. In 1939, she married Marion Andrews, who survives. She was a homemaker.
Also surviving are three sons, Melvin of Napoleon, Ronald of Archbold and George, Scott, Mich.; two daughters, Mrs. Ken (Arita) Silveus of Napoleon and Mrs. Steve (Diane) Goldsmith, Wauseon; a brother, Melvin Jones, Bowling Green; and 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were a half sister, Ann Howard; and a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Liberty Chapel United Methodist Church, Liberty Center, with Rev. Lynn Huffman officiating. Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, Wauseon. Visitation is from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday in Wright Funeral Home, Liberty Center.
Preferred memorials are to a charity of the donor's choice.
James Beegle
CONTINENTAL - A military service for James W. Beegle will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, in Continental American Legion with Rev. Doug Price officiating. Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery, Washington, D.C. There will be no visitation. Handling arrangements is Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Continental.
William Stine
BRYAN - William H. Stine, 83, Bryan, died Wednesday morning in his home.
He was born April 2, 1917, in Bryan, the son of Ross and Francis (Ellis) Stine. In 1938, he married Helen Snyder, who survives. He attended Oberlin College and was a pilot in the U.S. Air Corps Troop Carrier Command during World War II. He owned Stine Lumber Co. until his retirement in 1982, was president of Ohio Lumberman's Association and a member of Lumber Dealers' Research Council and National Lumber and Building Material Dealers' Association, where he held many offices.
He was also a member of Moose Lodge 1064, American Legion Post 284 and Orchard Hills Country Club; past president of Bryan Chamber of Commerce; and secretary of the board of trustees and session member of First Presbyterian Church, Bryan. A former president of Bryan Rotary, his Masonic affiliations include Blue Lodge (past master), Chapter, Council, Commandry and Consistory 32.
Also surviving are three sons, William of Reston, Va., John of Snowmass Village, Colo., and David, Monrovia, Calif.; a brother, John, Columbus; and three grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the church with Rev. Ladd officiating. Burial will be in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan. Visitation will be after noon Saturday at the church. Handling arrangements is Oberlin-Ford Funeral Home, Bryan.
Preferred memorials are to Alzheimer's Association.
