Ethel J. Retcher, 88, of Defiance, passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Defiance Promedica Regional Hospital of Defiance.  
  
She was born on October 10, 1927 to August and Flora (Hurtt) Kammeyer in Defiance.  She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church.  Ethel was a 1945 graduate of Defiance High School. On August 25, 1945 she married Junior H. Retcher, who preceded her in death on February 29, 2012.  Ethel was a member of AMVETS Post 1991 Auxiliary. She was a dedicated hard worker, and always a good friend to everyone. 
  
Ethel will be sadly missed by her family; daughters, Brenda June Gary of Defiance, Kathy Jo (Steve) Fitch of Oakwood, son, David Lee (Marcy) Retcher of Oakwood, 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, sisters, Barbara Bibler, Elsie (Fred) Olinghouse, and Frances (Harry) Brown, all of Defiance, and brother, Larry (Marilyn) Kammeyer of Archbold. 
  
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Junior H. Retcher, son, Ronald Eugene Retcher, four sisters, Margaret Lowry, Alberta Gilliam, Verona Meine, Georgie Davis, and a sister in infancy, brother, Gene Kammeyer, and four brothers in infancy. 
  
Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday, August 28, 2016 with an AMVETS Auxiliary Service at 7:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. Additional visitation will be for one hour prior to services at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, August 29, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church in Defiance, with Rev. Donald L Luhring officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.
  
Memorials are suggested to CHP Defiance Area Hospice Center, or St. John Lutheran Church