Obituaries

Sep 15, 2024

Reverend John E. "Jack" Hess, 80, resident of Cleveland, TN and formerly of Defiance, Ohio passed away on Sunday evening, September 15, 2024 at the home of his daughter. He was born on April 2, 1944 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania to the now late William A. Hess, Sr. and Edna Louise Esler Hess. He was also preceded in death by...

Sep 15, 2024

Elizabeth "Betty" Ann (Bilderback) Behringer, 91, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, September 15, 2024 at her home with family by her side. She was born December 31, 1932, to the late Wayne and Ruby (Webber) Bilderback of Hicksville, Ohio. She was a graduate of Defiance High School Class of 1950, and a 1954 graduate of Defiance...

Sep 10, 2024

Diana "Dee Dee" Riley, age 61, of Defiance, passed away unexpectedly on September 10, 2024 at Mercy Defiance Hospital.

She was born on March 22, 1963 to Charles and Carolyn (Rothenberger) Schudel in Defiance, Ohio. Dee Dee was a 1981 graduate of Defiance High School. She worked for 30 years at Sauder Woodworking in Archbold. She was...

Sep 9, 2024

William K. "Bill" Hultz, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Defiance, Ohio, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 18, 1938 to the late Kenneth and Florence (Nell) Hultz in Defiance, Ohio. Bill graduated from Defiance High School in 1957 and received his Bachelor of Science...

Sep 7, 2024

Joni J. Garber, age 69 of Paulding, Ohio, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 8, 1954 to William and Della (Salyer) Bevins in Hamilton, Ohio. On February 14, 2006 she married Kevin Garber and he survives. Joni retired from Johns-Manville as a Furnace Chief and...

Sep 6, 2024

James Michael Wagner, age 44 of Defiance, passed away from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Friday, September 6, 2024 in Henry County, Ohio. He was born on December 4, 1979 to Michael and Deborah (Hively) Wagner in Fremont, Ohio. James proudly earned his Masters Degree from Bluffton College and was on the football team. On January 1,...

Sep 5, 2024

Joan M. Schriner, age 95 of Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at The Laurels of Defiance. She was born on June 11, 1929 to the late Louis and Margaret (Mock) Breckler in Defiance County. On March 2, 1957 she married Cornelius "Neal" Schriner who preceded her in death on June 2, 2008. Joan was...

Sep 4, 2024

Mark LaGorin was born in Bedford, Indiana on Sept. 9, 1961. He went to be with the Lord on Sept. 4, 2024. He spent the last months of his earthly life at Harmony Court Nursing Home in Cincinnati, OH. Mark is survived by his father, Earl LaGorin and his mother, Janice LaGorin (Kimble), two brothers; Kip of Black Hawk,...

Sep 4, 2024

Michelle Marie Rockholt, age 59 of Sherwood, Ohio, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday evening, September 4, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on August 12, 1965 to the late Rudolph and Helen (Craig) Black Sr. in Defiance, Ohio. On May 26, 2016 she married Randy Rockholt who survives. Michelle enjoyed...

Sep 3, 2024

Don E. Goldenetz Jr., age 86 of Defiance, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. He was born on November 27, 1937, to the late Donald and Clara (Sleek) Goldenetz Sr. in Defiance, Ohio. He was a 1955 graduate of Defiance High School. Don was very proud to serve in the...

Sep 1, 2024

John Richard "Wags" Wagner, age 42 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born on August 31, 1982 to Richard and Carolyn (Szabo) Wagner in Abilene, Texas. John was a 2000 graduate of Ayersville High School. He enjoyed playing and watching football, and running track. After graduation he...

Aug 31, 2024

Betty J. "Jeannie" Ham, 79, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on July 5, 1945 to Bernard and Elizabeth (Hutchison) Willeman in Wauseon, Ohio.

Jeannie attended nurse's training at the Toledo Hospital.  Her nursing career spanned over 30 years retiring from Promedica.  She...

Aug 30, 2024

Alan Neal "Bud", "Uncle Al" Carter Jr., age 41 of Defiance, passed away on Friday evening, August 30, 2024 in Defiance, Ohio. He was born on September 21, 1982 to Alan N. and Stacia (Bittner) Carter Sr. in Oregon, Ohio. Alan was a 1999 graduate of Woodmore High School, was a State Champion wrestler and was second in the...

Aug 28, 2024

Daniel A. Detter, age 64 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital with his family by his side.

He was born in Key West, Florida on April 2, 1960 to Allen and Judith (Corron) Detter. Dan was a 1978 graduate of Defiance High School. On November 12, 1982 he married Susan...

Aug 28, 2024

Mary E. Combs, age 81 of Defiance, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on July 8, 1943 to Leo "Bud" and Marjorie (Groh) Steel in Defiance, Ohio. On March 27, 1965 she married Louis W. Combs, who preceded her in death on May...

Aug 27, 2024

Alexander Fodor, age 85 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday evening, August 27, 2024 at his home. He was born on January 15, 1939 to Paul and Lydia (Vargo) Fodor in Beauty, Kentucky. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Air Force. On September 21, 1968 he married Patricia Ray, who preceded him in death on September 13,...

Aug 25, 2024

Dr. Jerrold John Behringer passed peacefully on August 25, 2024 in Defiance, Ohio, age 92. He is the son of John Louis Behringer and Lydia Amelia Mary Bauman Behringer. Jerry attended Defiance High School, where he played a variety of sports, with football as his favorite. When his favorite coach became a professor and coach at the College of...

Aug 25, 2024

Deborah K. "Debbi" (Holman) Ayers passed away peacefully at her residence on August 25, 2024, at the age of 74.

Debbi was born on June 12, 1950, in Defiance, Ohio, the first child of William "Bill" and Lois (Graf) Holman. Debbi married Larry Ayers on April 28, 1969. Debbi graduated in 1968 from Ayersville High School. She...

Aug 24, 2024

Russell  E. Shetler Sr., age 84 of Montpelier, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Vancrest of Hicksville. He was born on November 8, 1939 to Oliver "Ed" and Helen (Lirot) Shetler in Bryan, Ohio. Russ was a 1957 graduate of Bryan High School. On April 12, 2003 he married to Susan Alven, who preceded him in...

Aug 24, 2024

Sylvia T. Velasquez, age 65 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Saturday evening, August 24, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on August 23, 1959 to Ruben and Paulina (Angino) Martinez in Laredo, Texas. Sylvia was a graduate of Defiance High School. On August 8, 2005 she married Joe Velasquez, who survives. Sylvia was...