Obituaries

Mar 20, 2026

Jackie M. Travis, 84, of Defiance, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026 at ProMedica Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio. She was born on April 24, 1941 to Major and Doris (Nelms) Burke in Williamson, WV.  On February 23, 1959 she married Paul Travis Sr, who survives. Jackie had belonged to Napoleon Eagles and was an associate member of...

Mar 19, 2026

Walter Shank Jr. of Paulding, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Walter was born April 6th, 1934 in Continental to Walt and Eve (Decker). He was one of 14 siblings and grew up in McClure. He joined the US Army and made Sgt First Class at only 19 years old after serving in Korea.

Mar 18, 2026

Marvin E. LeMaster, 89, of Defiance, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on May 9, 1936 to the late Dennis and Helen (Smith) LeMaster. Marv was a 1954 graduate of Glenwood High School in New Boston, Ohio. He proudly served our country in the U.S....

Mar 17, 2026

Amber R. Brown, age 42, of Oakwood, Ohio, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born in Paulding, Ohio, on June 23, 1983, to Bruce and Debra (Grove) Miller. Amber was a 2001 graduate of Paulding High School, earned her Bachelor's degree in...

Mar 16, 2026

William Gregory "Greg" Castanien passed away Monday, March 16, 2026, in his home. He was born on December 17, 1966, in Mansfield, OH to William J. and Marjorie Castanien. He attended school in Lexington, OH, Bowling Green, OH, and Defiance City Schools, before graduating from Lake Shore High School in St. Clair Shores, MI.

He loved the...

Mar 11, 2026

John Arthur Hoover, 69, of Defiance, passed away on March 11, 2026.

He was born on July 10, 1956 to Harold and Mary (Moore) Hoover in Wooster, OH. John worked as a Welder for Defiance Metal Products for many years until his retirement. In his retirement, he enjoyed driving for K&P Transportation and talking to people. John...

Mar 11, 2026

Burl E. Klingler, 79, of Defiance, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born in Paulding, Ohio on April 7, 1946 to the late Alva and Anna Klingler. On June 2, 1972 he married Debra Helms, who preceded him in death.

Burl is a proud...

Mar 11, 2026

Marilyn J. Olivo, age 74 of Defiance, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at ProMedica Defiance Hospital. She was born in Lima, Ohio on July 9, 1951 to the late Robert and Susanna (Schroeder) Smith. Marilyn worked for over 40 years at Johns Manville until her retirement in 2017. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic...

Mar 10, 2026

Elvira "Elle" Naomi Pryor (née Jimenez), 79, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026. Elle was born on July 1st, 1946 in Bryan, Ohio, to Antonio Jimenez and Mercedes Jimenez, who preceded her in death. She was a proud graduate of Bryan High School and later attended the University of Toledo. She spent much of her...

Mar 10, 2026

Ronald L. Clyburn, age 70 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at The Gardens of Paulding. He was born on August 27, 1955 to Bill and Velma (Lang) Clyburn in Defiance, Ohio. Ron is survived by his son, Eric Clyburn of Pennsylvania, and his sister, Lynn (Greg)  Wonderly of Sherwood, Ohio. A private burial will be...

Mar 9, 2026

Earl Douglas Rose, age 67 of Defiance, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. He was born in Pikeville, Kentucky on June 20, 1958 to the late Earl and Virginia (Johnson) Rose. On May 23, 1979 he married Cathy Mansfield, who preceded him in death on March 18, 2021. Earl worked as the Head Furnace...

Mar 8, 2026

Royal Justus Hofacker, 90, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026 surrounded by loved ones at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born in Paulding, Ohio on September 25, 1935 to the late Charles and Iva (Taylor) Hofacker. On December 23, 1986 he married Janet Sherrick who survives. Royal is a proud veteran of the U.S....

Mar 6, 2026

Stephen Lee Juette, a beloved son, brother, and uncle, age 78 of Defiance, passed away on Friday evening, March 6, 2026 in Edgerton, Ohio. Steve was born in Lima, Ohio on May 14, 1947 to the late Howard and Jeanne (Parrish) Juette. He was a long time resident of Defiance and a 1965 graduate of Defiance High School. Steve...

Mar 6, 2026

Joanne Murphy, age 87 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026 at her residence, with her family by her side. She was born in Cherry Creek, New York on September 22, 1938 to the late Loren and Rose (Saxton) Manning. After graduating from high school, Joanne earned her Associate's degree from Rochester Business Institute in Rochester...

Mar 6, 2026

Gail J. Olson, 83, of Defiance, passed away at 3:16 am on Friday, March 6, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Angola, Indiana on November 12, 1942 to the late George and Leola (Kiles) Cassel. On January 16, 1965 she married Webster Olson who survives. Gail was a...

Mar 5, 2026

Keith D. Steffan, 76, passed away unexpectedly in his home in Defiance, Ohio, on March 5, 2026. He was born on July 18, 1949 to Clarence and Phyllis (Unverferth) Steffan in Lima, Ohio.

Keith was known for his sense of humor, quiet nature, and took great pride in his children and grandchildren.

Keith graduated from...

Mar 3, 2026

Randa J. Gale, age 71 of Defiance, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Tuesday morning, March 3, 2026 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Defiance, Ohio. She was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on August 31, 1954 to Ralph and Rose (Guerin) Brown. Randa is a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy. She loved her career as an...

Mar 3, 2026

Larry James Fillinger, 79, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026, at CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 7,1947, to the late Ralph Walter and Anna Margaret (Lero) Fillinger in Defiance, Ohio. On June 29, 1973, he married Rebecca Killion who survives.

Larry was a member of the...

Mar 2, 2026

Henry D. "Hank" Gerken, age 94 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance. He was born on December 21, 1931 to the late Frank and Catherine (Damman) Gerken in Fulton County, Ohio. Henry was a 1950 graduate of Napoleon High School. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from...

Mar 1, 2026

Sandra K. Peek, age 76 of Ney, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at her home. She was born on July 22, 1949 to the late Dean and Maude (Jubenville) Perry in Bryan, Ohio. On October 14, 2008 she married Joe Peek who survives.

Sandra was a nurses aide at Twin Rivers Nursing Home, and...