All Obituaries

Local historian and former city councilwoman Sally A. Myers, Ph.D., died Jan. 17, 2024, at her home. She was 82. Born June 26, 1941 to Keith and Mary (Carey) Tustison, her family’s civic-mindedness inspired both Sally’s career and her lifelong passions for politics, music, and historic preservation. Her father co-founded the Northwesternaires barbershop chorus, and her mother the Defiance chapter of the Girl Scouts. Her grandfather published The Crescent-News for four...

Phillip K. Winkler, age 77 of Cecil, Ohio, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on  Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at his home.       He was born on March 14, 1947 to Phillip and Mary (Dennison) Winkler in Springfield, Ohio. Phillip attended South High School in Springfield, Ohio and proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1967. On February 26, 1968 he married Brenda Manning, who survives. Phillip worked for over 25 years at General Motors in Defiance until...

Eileen A. "Granny" Michael, 98, of Sherwood, passed away peacefully in her home on April 12, 2024, in Sherwood, OH.      She was born on April 21, 1925, to Alva and Blanche (Fockler) Schaffer in Defiance, OH. In 1942 she married Philip Michael, who preceded her in death on August 5, 1980. Eileen was a housewife and homemaker and also a member of Bryan Eagles. She loved horses, music, bird watching, mushroom hunting and gardening. Eileen especially loved...

Victor L. Ledbetter, age 67 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at The Laurels of Defiance.      He was born on December 20, 1956 to Clyde and Annabell (Relyea) Ledbetter in Defiance, Ohio. Victor was a 1975 graduate of Defiance High School. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy during the Iranian Crisis. On April 10, 1981 he married Carol L. Brown, who preceded him in death on October 24, 2015.  Victor was a member of Defiance Eagles #372,...

John Anthony "Jack" Willitzer, Sr., age 92, passed away early morning on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at his home in Defiance. He lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Tim Hutson.    Born on September 1, 1931 to the late Joseph and Helen (Hart) Willitzer in Independence, Ohio. He and his family lived in the old homestead built by his grandparents on Standley Road before moving to Paulding at a young age. When he was 14 he was enrolled in the seminary in Carthagena...

Charles W. Hardy, age 88 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.       He was born on July 15, 1935 to the late Andrew and Mary (Cooley) Hardy in Defiance, Ohio. Charles attended Poplar Ridge Church of the Brethren. He was a lifelong farmer and lived on the homestead all his life. Charles had a true passion for working on his farm. He loved his collection of tractors, and spending time with his family...

Kevin J. Decker, age 75 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, after an extended illness.       He was born on September 9, 1948 to James and Mary (Hohenberger) Decker in Defiance, Ohio. On July 17, 1971 he married Diana Ordway, who survives. Kevin proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Defiance Elks #147, Eagles #372, Moose Lodge...

Sherrell L. Meyer, 82, of Defiance, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024 at Glenn Park surrounded by her family.    She was born on April 8, 1942 to Muriel Fillman and Charles Volkert in Defiance. On June 22, 1963 she married Raymond J. Meyer who preceded her in death.    She was a member of St Isidore Catholic Church (previously known as St. Stephen's the Bend).  She worked at Sauder Woodworking for 14 years in quality and Ohio Art for 25 years.  Sherrell...

Michael F. "Mike" Foy, Jr., age 49 of Celina, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at St. Rita's Mercy Medical Center in Lima, Ohio.       He was born on October 19, 1974 to Michael and Lillian (Emanuel) Foy in Newark, New Jersey. Mike was a 1993 graduate of Pinelands High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1994 to 1995. He worked at Progressive Stamping in Ottoville for twenty years, and at Crown in Celina for the last five years. Mike...

Patricia A. Cleaves, age 92 of Defiance, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Monday morning, April 8, 2024 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance, Ohio.       She was born on March 17, 1932 to the late Ray and Florence (Harruff) Dazey in Leipsic, Ohio. Patricia was a 1950 graduate of Leipsic High School. On August 20, 1950 she married Ralph E. Cleaves, who preceded her in death on April 15, 2012.  Patricia worked for 22 years as a Library Assistant at...