Obituaries

Jul 1, 2025

Helen Ann Day, age 63 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. She was born in Montpelier, Ohio on July 15, 1961 to Helen (Richards) and Lyle Steel Sr. On August 1, 1988 she married James Day, who preceded her in death in 2014.

Helen proudly earned her Bachelor's degree and worked as an LPN...

Jun 30, 2025

Dorothy Eva (Bouffard Temple) Engelhaupt

Dorothy Eva (Bouffard Temple) Engelhaupt, age 82 of Defiance, passed away in the early morning hours of June 30, 2025. Dot departed this world, but not the hearts of her family and friends.

Dorothy, often called Dot or Dottie, was born on March 27, 1943 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to...

Jun 30, 2025

Donald "Don" L. Miller, age 89 of Defiance, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance, Ohio. Don was born on May 16, 1936 to Harold J. and Beatrice (Bowsher) Miller in Defiance. He was a 1954 graduate of Defiance High School. On July 27, 1957 he married the "Angel" of his life, June Cereghin who...

Jun 29, 2025

Douglas A. Beardsley, age 74 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born on October 16, 1950 to Earl and Betty (Curtzwiler) Beardsley in Holgate, Ohio. Douglas proudly served his country in the US Navy. He worked for several years at General Motors until his retirement. On February...

Jun 28, 2025

Jackie "Jack" Dean Suman, age 77 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday June 28, 2025 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. He was born on March 18, 1948 to Floyd and Ellen (Bebout) Suman in Decatur, Indiana. On July 22,1966 he married Anita Sue Smith and she survives. Jack worked as an Electrician for GM Powertrain for 33 years retiring in...

Jun 27, 2025

Steve Michael Branham, age 42 of Oakwood, Ohio, passed away on Friday June 27, 2025 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital. He was born on April 25, 1983 to Bobby and Ok (Nam) Branham in Defiance, Ohio. He was a 2001 graduate of Defiance High School. Steve was a member of Rock Church in Oakwood. He had a true passion...

Jun 24, 2025

Timothy "Tim" Gerken, age 69 of Montpelier, Ohio, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday morning, June 24, 2025.

He was born on November 22, 1955 in Wauseon, Ohio to Victor and Elaine (Rupp) Gerken. Tim was a 1974 graduate of Defiance High School. On February 21, 1998 he married Deborah Bowen who survives.

Jun 21, 2025

Donald Frederick Jagow, age 78 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Glenn Park of Defiance. He was born on July 3, 1946 to Howard and Lotus (Donner) Jagow in Flint, Michigan. On December 27, 1970 he married Nikki Maas who preceded him in 2004. On August 9, 2008 he married Mary Freeland who survives. Don...

Jun 20, 2025

Shirley A. Deitrick, age 82, of Defiance, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on February 18, 1943 to Leon and Vera (Smith) Gallant in Defiance. Shirley was a 1961 graduate of Stryker High School. In 1964 she married Ronald Deitrick who preceded her in death in 1975. Most...

Jun 19, 2025

David Paul Gomez, age 60 of Bryan, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2025  at the University of Toledo Medical Center, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born in Defiance, Ohio on February 8, 1965 to Concepcion R. and Margaret (Arellano) Gomez.

David graduated from Defiance High School in 1983, during which time...

Jun 18, 2025

Delbert Duane Diemer, age 91 of Defiance, passed away peacefully at Glenn Park of Defiance on June 18, 2025. Delbert was born in New Bavaria, Ohio to Sylvia and Florian Diemer. He was a graduate of Holgate High School where he was a standout baseball player. He was recruited to play for the Toledo Sox in 1953, an affiliate...

Jun 16, 2025

Donna Bell (Wolf) Crockett passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, with her children by her side. She was born on October 10, 1933 in her grandparents home on Kinner Road near Ayersville to Alva and Florence (Blanchard) Wolf. She grew up in Pleasant Bend where there were lots of kids at...

Jun 15, 2025

Jeremy Lee (Hand) VanVlerah, age 37 of Cecil, Ohio passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital from injuries sustained in an accident. He was born on May 20, 1988 to Mike and Debbie (Van Arsdalen) Hand in Toledo, Ohio. Jeremy was a 2007 graduate of Hilltop High School. On October 28, 2017 he married Tess...

Jun 15, 2025

Joyce Bok, 89, of Sherwood passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday June 15, 2025 at the Gardens of Paulding. She was born August 27, 1935 of Olen J. and Lois (Scott) Glick in Paulding OH.

She attended Emmett School single-room schoolhouse, later graduating Valedictorian from Sherwood Delaware High School in 1953. She then earned her...

Jun 15, 2025

Sandra J. Hall, age 73 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at Advanced Specialty Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. She was born on January 25, 1952 to William and Ethel Miller in Grafton, West Virginia. On December 12, 1970 she married Troy Hall, who preceded her in death in 2022. The beloved Memaw cherished spending time with...

Jun 14, 2025

Joan M. Paxton, age 88, of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Kingsbury Place Assisted Living.

She was born in New Bavaria, Ohio on September 18, 1936, to the late Milton and Hazel (Thomas) Cummins. On October 1, 1960, she married the late Teddy "Ted" Paxton, the love of her life, at St....

Jun 13, 2025

Bruce Allen Davenport, Sr., 82, of Defiance, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025 at the CHP Defiance Area Hospice Center surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on May 29, 1943 to Roy and Mable (Lawson) Davenport in Appalachia, Virgnia. On December 28, 1974, he married Diane Hardy, who survives.

Bruce served his...

Jun 12, 2025

Jennifer Ann Bustamante, 55, of Bryan, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the Cleveland Clinic.

She was born on May 18, 1970 to Bobby and Clara (Caperton) Sloan in Honolulu, Hawaii. Jennifer worked as a candy cook for Spangler Candy Company. On November 17, 2012, she married Alex Bustamante Sr. who survives. Jennifer was an...

Jun 12, 2025

Sherry Jean Snow, 68, of Defiance, passed away on  Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on March 28, 1957 to Gene and Nellie (Stock) Heil in Defiance.   She was a graduate of Defiance High School Class of 1975. On December 3, 1983 she married Jim  Snow who survives. She was...

Jun 10, 2025

Mercedes Angela Thompson entered the gates of heaven on June 10, 2025. Mercedes is survived by her mother, Dorothy Smith; stepfather, Rodney Smith; brother, Robert Thompson( Tracie Howard); special niece and pride of her life, TeAnna "Te" Thompson; best friend of 50 years, Rebecca Steinhauser; half-brother, Jason Thompson (Nina); honorary sister, Rachel Moore(Rev. Dwight); honorary brother, Jonathan Steinhauser (Jessica...