All Obituaries

Frederick D. Fitzenrider, age 81, of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday evening, January 13, 2021 at The Laurels of Defiance.       He was born on March 5, 1939 to the late Vernie and Enid (Lehman) Fitzenrider in Defiance, Ohio. On March 18, 1967 he married Sharon (Lee) Fitzenrider, who survives. Fred was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Grace Episcopal Church. He worked as Plant Manager for Dinner Bell Foods in Defiance over 33 years until his retirement. He also...

Josephine "Lee" Liska passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital. She was born March 19, 1949 to the late Edmond "Bud" and Beulah Liska.  Lee was a farm girl at heart and loved her many cats. She acted and believed she was the boss at Liska Farms. Lee had a great sense of humor. Her favorite places to go were Quadco and the former Senior Good Samaritan School with Chris Palmer. She leaves behind her brother Jerry Liska, sister...

Randall R. Ward, age 65 of Defiance, surrounded by his loving family went home to be with his Lord and Savior, January 10th, 2021 at Toledo Hospital.  He was born on February 5th, 1955 to the late Robert and June Ward.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather (Poppy), brother, friend, employee, coach,  avid hunter and gun dog trainer.  He was an all-around kind and compassionate Christian man, a role model for all who knew him.  His faith in the Lord and his...

Karen L. Heilshorn, age 79 of Oakwood, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio.       She was born on December 20, 1941 to George and Mabel (Relyea) Bodenburg in Defiance, Ohio. Karen was a  1960 graduate of Defiance High School. In 1966 she married Richard Upton, who preceded her in death in 1986. On June 3, 1989 she married Robert "Bob" Heilshorn, who passed away on June 23, 2013. Karen was a...

On Friday January 8, 2020, Raul Sanchez, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, passed away after 59 fulfilling years. He was the youngest of six children, born March 13, 1961 to Miguel and Elevinia Sanchez in Bluffton, Ohio. Raul made a career at General Motors where he worked as a Millwright for 26 years. His sincerest passions involved the love for his country, the Defiance community, friends, photos and writing, but more importantly, his dynamic of family all...

Anne C. Steyer, 79 of Defiance, Ohio passed away Thursday January 7, 2021 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital after a short battle with COVID. Born on August 25, 1941, in Fostoria, OH, Anne was the oldest of 3 children born to Albert and Kentha (Ewing) Thomas. On her birthday in 1962 she married Joseph P. Steyer who died on December 22, 2020. A devout Catholic and resident of Defiance, Ohio most of her adult life, she was a member of St Mary Catholic Church where she served on the Altar...

Daniel J. Hauser, 60, of Bryan, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Indiana University Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, IN.      He was born on March 8, 1960 to Roger and Patricia (Fraizer) Hauser in Defiance, OH. Daniel worked as a Fabricator for Richland Machine Co. in Montpelier OH.  He enjoyed fishing and working on cars, especially muscle cars, and also enjoyed collecting coins and putting together model cars.     Daniel is survived by...

Lawrence L. "Sid" Houck, age 92 of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday evening, January 5, 2021 at his home in Napoleon.       He was born on November 18, 1928 to John and Agnes (Schwab) Houck in Defiance, Ohio. Sid was a 1947 graduate of Holgate High School. On June 4, 1953 he married the love of his life, Marilyn J. (Rohrs) Houck, whom survives.  Sid was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Holgate, Ohio. He worked third shift at...

James J. Wilson, age 40 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021 unexpectedly at his home in Defiance.       He was born on June 18, 1980 to Marvin and Robin (Wilmoth) Wilson in Toledo, Ohio. James was a 1998 graduate of Anthony Wayne High School, and a 2007 graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. On June 10, 2006 he married Megan (Crawford) Wilson, who survives. James was a member of the National Funeral Director's Association, Ohio Funeral...

Paula Valle, age 77 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at The Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio.       She was born in Robstown, Texas on September 3, 1943 to the late Vilcent and Eufemia (Quintana) Salinas. On August 26, 1963 she married Rodolfo G. Valle, who survives. Paula was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Defiance. She was a wonderful and caring homemaker with her children, and she recently worked at McDonald's. Paula was a fan of...