Obituaries

Oct 25, 2025

Jesse Bernal Sr., 71, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2025, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on April 26, 1954, in Fostoria, Ohio, the son of Edward (Lopez) Bernal and Anastasia Cabrera. Jesse was a 1973 graduate of Defiance High School and Four County Vocational...

Oct 25, 2025

William E Bennett, age 79, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

He was born November 18, 1945, in Jersey City, to the late James and Helen (Lomenski) Bennett. After high school, William proudly served in the United State Navy, a Veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of the VFW Post...

Oct 24, 2025

Brenda M. Closset, age 72 of Defiance, passed away on Friday morning, October 24, 2025 at home with her loved ones by her side. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky on April 2, 1953 to the late Joseph and Zerelda (Dages) Wheat. On June 12, 2013 she married Lindy A. Closset who preceded her in death on August 8,...

Oct 22, 2025

Mark C. Moats, 84, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. He was born on July 25, 1941 in Defiance, Ohio to the late Paul and Mary (Stipe) Moats.

Mark graduated in 1959 from Fairview High School as a member of the first graduating class. He attended Miami University and later enlisted in the...

Oct 21, 2025

Gerald W. "Jerry" Monnin, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio, surrounded by his loving family. Jerry was born Dec 19, 1938 to Bill and Josephine Monnin in Dayton OH. He was the youngest of three children. He attended Chaminade Julienne HS, and then enlisted and served honorably in...

Oct 19, 2025

Tina Marie Armstrong, age 61 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at her home in Defiance. She was born in Defiance on October 5, 1964 to Robert and Vivian (Zedaker) Mann. Tina was a 1982 graduate of Tinora High School and a faithful member of Restoration Tabernacle in Defiance. Tina was a huge fan of the...

Oct 19, 2025

Amy Jane Young, age 71, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 12, 1954 in Defiance, Ohio to Keith and Jane (Kimberly) Weisenburger. Amy was a 1972 graduate of Defiance High School. She was very proud of her class. Amy...

Oct 18, 2025

Roger F. Kroeckel, age 83 of Defiance, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born in Defiance on September 30, 1942 to the late Donald and Norma (Hall) Kroeckel. On February 16, 1962 he married Sharon Ludwig, who preceded him in death on May 13,...

Oct 16, 2025

George L. Kruse, age 87 of Defiance, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on October 9, 1938 to the late Carl and Ruth (Taylor) Kruse in Paulding, Ohio. On November 8, 1958 he married Margene Anderson who survives.

In his youth, George worked on a farm until he...

Oct 11, 2025

Daniel "David" Hostettler Jr. "Hoss", age 85 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center with his family by his side. He was born in Defiance on May 30, 1940 to the late Daniel and Marie (Wisda) Hostettler. David was a 1958 graduate of Defiance High School.  On October 13, 1962...

Oct 10, 2025

Joseph Paul Simonis, age 74 of Defiance, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025 at his residence in Defiance, Ohio. He was born on April 18, 1951 to the late Francis and Margaret (Beaubien) Simonis. Joe was a 1970 graduate of Defiance High School. He worked at Chief Supermarket for 44 years and was a member of the NRA...

Oct 9, 2025

Maria "Mary" Smith, age 72, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2025, at CHP Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

She was born on May 29, 1953, in Lorain, Ohio, to Jesse and Consuelo (Hernandez) Sanchez, and was a proud graduate of Defiance High School, Class of 1972. Maria...

Oct 9, 2025

Virginia J. "Ginny" Graf, age 87 of Defiance, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born on March 9, 1938 to Charles and Louise (Martin) Cleary. At 3 months of age she was placed with John and Emma (Williams) McNamara and was fortunate to be raised as a...

Oct 7, 2025

Kimberly Ann Criswell, age 44, passed away on October 7, 2025, at Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. She was born on August 27, 1981, at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to the late Carol Payment of Georgia.

Kim spent her early childhood in Georgia with her mom, dad, paternal grandparents, and half-siblings before...

Oct 5, 2025

Judy A. Ranes, age 74 of Antwerp, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. She was born in Defiance, Ohio on March 28, 1951 to the late Donald and Margaret (Miller) Schaffer. Judy was a 1969 graduate of Fairview High School. On July 27, 1991 she married William "Bill" Ranes who survives.

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Oct 4, 2025

David Pilar Jimenez, age 50 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. He was born in Defiance, Ohio on November 23, 1974 to David A. and Judy (Bavin) Jimenez. David was a 1993 graduate of Defiance High School. On September 14, 2002 he married Nicole Sadelson, who survives....

Oct 4, 2025

Julie A. Frederick passed away on October 4th, 2025 at CHP Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance where she was surrounded by loved ones after a long hard fought battle with cancer.

Julie was born on March 19, 1967. She was the daughter of the late Clyde and Anna (Baringer) Frederick. Julie, also known as Jewels or JuJu,...

Oct 3, 2025

Maria Socorro Perez, age 84, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 25, 1941 to Manuel and Maria (Del Rio) Perez Garcia in Torreon Coahuila, Mexico. Maria proudly worked as an Operating Room Technician for Defiance Hospital for 21 years until her retirement in...

Sep 29, 2025

Danny L. "Leroy" Thompson, age 72 of Defiance, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025 surrounded by his family at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. He was born on November 7, 1952 to Lisle and Doris (Ball) Hageman in Montpelier, Ohio. On October 14, 2000 he married Penny (Matney) Thompson who survives. Leroy proudly served in the U.S. Army during the...

Sep 28, 2025

Joseph Robert "Bob" Armstrong, age 83 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 7, 1942 to the late Robert L. and Marjory E. (Evans) Armstrong. Bob was a 1960 graduate of Defiance High School and Toledo Barber School in...