Phyllis Joan Retcher
Aug 9, 2026
Phyllis Joan Retcher, 87, born on May 29, 1939, in Defiance County, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 9, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was the daughter of Robert and Wilma (Smith) Goodenough. On May 23, 1959, she married the love of her life, Larry Lee Retcher. Together they shared 61 years of marriage until Larry's passing in...
Charles L. "Chuck" Froelich
Aug 4, 2026
Charles L. "Chuck" Froelich, age 83, of Belleville, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Chuck was born on August 31, 1942 to the late Donald and Mary Catherine (Limpach) Froelich. He spent his formative years with two brothers and three sisters at the family residence on Latty Street in Defiance, Ohio.
In his later high school years, his uncle Fr....
Ronald G. Stuckey
Aug 3, 2026
Ronald G. Stuckey, 82, of Defiance, passed away surrounded by his family on August 3, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
He was born on March 13, 1944 to Virgil and Velma (Johnson) Stuckey in Defiance, OH. He married the love of his life, Amy Brown, who preceded him in death. He proudly served his country as a veteran...
Chad A. Dauster
Jul 30, 2026
With profound sadness and endless love, we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, uncle, and husband, Chad Alan Dauster, who left us on July 30, 2026, at the age of 50. Chad was born on June 25, 1976 in Defiance, Ohio to Barbara J. Schaffer. Together for 21 years total, Chad and Jeffrey Dauster were united in marriage...
Jack E. Oberlin
Jul 28, 2026
Jack E. Oberlin, age 94, of Defiance, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday morning, July 28, 2026.
He was born in West Unity, Ohio on May 1, 1932 to the late Jacob and Luella (Knapp) Oberlin. Jack proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. On September 14, 1957 he married Dorothy Jean Otis, who...
Ethelyne "Dee" M. Watson
Jul 28, 2026
Ethelyne "Dee" M. Watson, age 86 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
She was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 20, 1939 to the late Mary Smith. On February 15, 1959 she married James "Jim" L. Watson, who preceded her in death on August 21, 2014.
Dee was a former member...
Carole L. Bennett
Jul 26, 2026
Carole L. Bennett, age 69 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026 surrounded by her family at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
She was born in Defiance on July 23, 1957 to the late Robert and Helen (Carroll) Fenter. Carole earned her Associate's degree in Nursing from Northwest State Community College. On July 28, 1973 she married...
James F. "Jim" Hammersmith
Jul 25, 2026
James F. "Jim" Hammersmith, 86, of Defiance, Ohio passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Fairlawn Haven Nursing Home in Archbold, Ohio.
He was born in Evansport, Ohio on October 1, 1939 to the late Ralph and Nellie (Little) Hammersmith. Jim was a 1957 graduate of Ayersville High School and was a proud member of the 1957 State Championship basketball...
Rebecca L. "Becky" Wagner
Jul 24, 2026
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Rebecca "Becky" Wagner, who peacefully passed away at the age of 76 in The Villages Florida.
She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a cherished grandmother, and a loyal friend whose life was marked by unwavering faith, quiet strength, and selfless love. She spent her life putting others before herself, always offering...
Diana M. Horzelski
Jul 18, 2026
Diana Marie Horzelski, 86, of Defiance, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on July 18, 2026. In her final hours, she was lovingly surrounded by her devoted husband, children, and grandchildren.
She was born on June 1, 1940, in Defiance, Ohio, to Wilfred and Georgia Dirr. She graduated from Defiance High School in 1958 before attending Capital University School...
Rick L. Wheeler
Jul 16, 2026
Rick L. Wheeler, 74, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away peacefully on July 16th at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on January 23, 1952, in West Unity, the son of Harold and Lois (Kuney) Wheeler. He graduated from Hilltop High School and received an Associates Degree in Business and Marketing from Davis Junior College...
Kent Joseph Smith
Jul 16, 2026
Kent Smith, 65, of Defiance, OH passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2026 after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Kent was born on November 15, 1960 to Orville and Julianne (Minck) Smith in Defiance, Ohio. He graduated from Tinora High School in 1979 and went on to become a talented CNC machinist and metalworker, retiring in 2020 from Roberts...
Freda May Keys
Jul 15, 2026
Freda May Keys passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
Freda was born in Cloverdale, Ohio, on January 12, 1936, to the late Edwin and Hilda (Erhart) Miller. Freda grew up on a farm, where she learned the value of hard work. This was a value she carried...
Rhonda Kaye Smith
Jul 14, 2026
Rhonda Kaye Smith, 66, of Defiance, formerly of Bucyrus, peacefully passed away on July 14, 2026 at her home surrounded by her family.
She was born on September 18, 1959 to Roy and Mary (Boak) Hostetler in Massillon, OH. She graduated from Marion Catholic High School. Rhonda worked in food service for most of her life. She was a manager at...
Everardo "Lalo" Hernandez
Jul 14, 2026
Everardo "Lalo" Hernandez, age 72 of Defiance, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
He was born in Brownsville, Texas on July 20, 1953 to the late Marcos and Josefa (Garcia) Hernandez. Everardo proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1972-1974. On July 20, 2002 he married Sandra Lopez who survives.
Lalo worked at General Motors in...
Christine M. Imthurn
Jul 14, 2026
Christine M. Imthurn, age 63, of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday morning, July 14, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
She was born in Defiance, Ohio on November 14, 1962 to the late Ellis "Al" and Marcia (Kubica) Imthurn. Chris was a 1981 graduate of Defiance High School, and she worked at SK Tools for many years. Chris...
John D. Ater
Jul 13, 2026
John D. Ater, beloved minister, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and faithful servant of Christ, passed away at the age of 74 at Trinity West in Steubenville, OH, on Monday, July 13, 2026. He was surrounded by his family.
John was born on February 6, 1952, in Washington Court House, Ohio, to the late Margene and John D. Ater Sr. He graduated...
Jennifer M. Graham
Jul 13, 2026
Jennifer M. Graham, age 53 of Defiance, peacefully passed away surrounded by her loved ones on Monday, July 13, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born in Hicksville, Ohio on January 22, 1973 to Gary and Luanne (Bechtol) Hoddap. Jennifer was a 1991 graduate of Napoleon High School, and on June 1, 1991 she married Craig Graham who...
Frances B. Roddy
Jul 11, 2026
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Frances (Basquez) Roddy, who was welcomed into God’s loving embrace on July 11, 2026 at the age of 84.
Frances was born on May 3,1942, in Waxahachie,Texas, to the late Guadalupe and Guadalupe (Garza) Basquez. She graduated from Defiance High School and on November 9,1963, she married the love of...
Gary J. Leach
Jul 11, 2026
Gary J. Leach, age 78, of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on February 6, 1948 to Gale and Josephine (Schlegel) Leach in Defiance. He was a 1967 graduate of Defiance High School. Gary proudly served his country in the Marine Corps from 1967-1970. He worked for General...
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