Obituaries

Jul 26, 2018

Graham Michael Hughes, 22 Days old, of Napoleon, passed away surrounded by his loving family, on  Thursday, July 26, 2018 at the University of Michigan Children's Hospital Mott Center, Ann Arbor, MI. He was born on July 5, 2018 to Jeremy and Kristan (Clady) Hughes in Toledo , OH. Graham was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He...

Jul 24, 2018

Mary L. Potts, 90, of Defiance, passed away and went to her heavenly home on Tuesday evening, July 24, 2018 at The Laurels of Defiance.

Mary was born on September 28, 1927 to Harlan and Thelma (née Darling) Madden in Butler, Indiana. She married John Potts in 1948, who preceded her in death in 1976. She lived...

Jul 22, 2018

Henry L. Stewart, 70, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at Van Wert Manor in Van Wert, Ohio. He was born on November 19, 1947 to John and Betty Jane (Johnson) Stewart in Pike County, Kentucky. On December 17, 1986  he married Linda (Hoschak) Stewart, who resides in Defiance. Henry proudly served our country in the...

Jul 18, 2018

Laura M. Buchholz Laura M. Buchholz, 59, of Defiance, died Wednesday, July 18th, 2018 in a car accident in Williams County, Ohio. She was born in Defiance, Ohio on December 29, 1958. In 2002 she married Anthony 'Tony' 'Bookie' W. Buchholz, who died September 16, 2016. Laura had worked as school bus driver for Defiance and Napoleon Schools. She had...

Jul 18, 2018

Louis F. Pracht, 84, of Paulding, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born on October 10, 1933 to the late Fred and Caroline (Frank) Pracht in Defiance. On March 1, 1958 he married the love of his life Carol ( Russell) Pracht, who...

Jul 17, 2018

Robert L. Gessner, 92, of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at Mercy Hospital of Defiance. He was born on February 23, 1926 to the late Clarence and Gladys (Eis) Gessner in Henry County, Ohio. On July 13, 1949 he married Dorothy M. (Flory) Gessner, who preceded him in death on June 3, 2016.  He proudly served...

Jul 15, 2018

Betty Jeanne (George) Hill, Defiance, died Sunday, July 15, 2018, at age 90. Betty was born in Wauseon, Ohio, on October 1, 1927, to Elmer Ray George and Mabel Irene (Willeman) George. She was a graduate of Wauseon High School and a 1949 graduate of Bowling Green State University (BGSU), where she earned a B.A. in liberal arts. Betty met...

Jul 14, 2018

Evelyn A. Roth, 96, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Hillside Country Living Center in Bryan, Ohio. She was born on August 24, 1921 to William E. and Villetta May (Taylor) Michael in Grover Hill, OH. She was a 1939 graduate of Grover Hill High School. On July 15, 1941 she married Gerald E....

Jul 13, 2018

Rita F. Bowers, 93, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Friday morning,  July 13, 2018 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on March 14, 1925 to Peter and Theresia (Weaver) Weaner in Defiance County. In 1944 she married Robert C. Bowers, who preceded her in death in 1982. Rita was a faithful member of  St....

Jul 12, 2018

Lorene Turner Gustafson, 87, of Defiance, died peacefully on Thursday, July 12th 2018, at the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center . Born July 2, 1931 in Leesville, LA, granddaughter of Edmond and Weltha Ann Bass, she married Rev. Clifford Ernest Gustafson, Jr. on January 11, 1954 in DeRidder, LA at the First Pentecostal Church. She assisted her husband in the...

Jul 12, 2018

Kirsten J. Urbina, 24, Defiance, died on July 12, 2018 at University Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, from an extended illness. She will truly be missed. She was born January 19, 1994 in Defiance, to Patricia (Robert) Charleston, Oakwood, who survives, along with her sister, Kira Charleston, and niece Aleesia, both at home. Survivors also include grandparents Mary (Gerald) Friesner, Oakwood;...

Jul 11, 2018

Roy Eugene Wagner age 70 of Defiance died Wednesday 7/11/18 at Veterans Administration Medical Center Ann Arbor, Michigan. Roy was born in Defiance, Ohio on September 16, 1947 the son of the late Paul and Rosa (Miranda) Wagner. After graduation from High School Roy served in the United States Army which included combat service in Vietnam. Roy drove truck for...

Jul 7, 2018

Mary L. Swanson, 91, of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima, Ohio. She was born on November 15, 1926 to the late Richard and Estella (Weisheier) Harbaugh in Johnstown, PA. On September 21, 1946 she married Cleo Swanson, who preceded her in death on September 20, 1993.

Mary...

Jul 6, 2018

Ruby  Owens, 80, of Oakwood, entered the gates of heaven into the arms of Jesus surrounded by her family at home on Friday July 6, 2018.  We rejoice knowing that her eternity is in Heaven. She is celebrating on the streets of gold in a joyous reunion with loved one's shouting, dancing and praising Jesus, how glorious it must...

Jul 1, 2018

Mackenzie A Guilford, 22, of Defiance, passed away on  Sunday, July 1, 2018  at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was born on June 24, 1996 to Eric and Jodi (Wood) Guilford in  Defiance, Ohio.

Mackenzie was a 2014 graduate of Ayersville High School where she was active on the Track and Cross Country...

Jun 28, 2018

Liesbeth was born on April 13, 1927, in Mariawohl, Ukraine, the daughter of Franz and Margaret (Dirksen) Funk.  She married Hermann Wiebe in 1947.  He preceded her in death in 2006.

Liesbeth led a life dedicated to learning and teaching.  After obtaining her college degree from Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio, she taught at Defiance College and...

Jun 28, 2018

Alyce "Elaine" Harvey, 78, of Bryan, Ohio,  passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN. Elaine was born on November 3, 1939 to Elvin H. and Ruth E. (Fortune) Musselman in Youngstown, OH. Elaine graduated from Rayen High School in 1957.  In 1958,  she married Jerry W. Harvey and they had three daughters:...

Jun 28, 2018

Edison "Ed" L. Beckett, 82, of Defiance, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018 surrounded by his family at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, Defiance, OH. He was born on October 15, 1935 to Charles and Norma (Patterson) Beckett in Raceland, KY.  On August 18, 1956 Ed married Barbara Berthold, who preceded him in death on June 3,...

Jun 28, 2018

Shirley J. (Kiessling) Whitmore, 56, passed away on  Thursday, June 28, 2018 at her residents in Defiance, Ohio. She was born on August 30, 1961 to Louis and Rita (Miller) Kiessling in Defiance. On September 11, 1983 she married David Whitmore who preceded her in death in 2005.

Shirley enjoyed crocheting and other yarn crafts.  She also...

Jun 25, 2018

Ilene M. Williamson, 93, of Defiance, passed away on Monday, June 25, 2018, surrounded by her family at the CHP Defiance Area Hospice Inpatient Center, Defiance, OH. She was born on August 1, 1924 to Harley and LaDonna (Sheeks) Rau in Oakwood, OH.  In 1946 Ilene married Vincent R. Williamson Sr, who preceded her in death in 1985. Ilene...