Obituaries

Jun 4, 2024

Josie Martinez, 67, of Defiance passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at her home.

She was born August 10, 1956, in Defiance, Ohio. The daughter of Melitón and Jesusa (Garcia) Rodriguez. In 1972, she married Baudelio Martinez, who preceded her in death. After marrying, she devoted herself to raising her four children. She was a devoted...

Jun 4, 2024

Freda L. (Fleetwood) Gifford, age 75 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Kingston Care Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born in Hartville, Missouri on July 19, 1948 to the late Burl and Dorothy (Wimberly) Lawson. On November 11, 2022 she married Timothy Gifford who survives. Freda poured her heart and soul into...

Jun 1, 2024

John P. Mason, age 82, lifelong resident of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio with his family by his side.

He was born on July 15, 1941 to the late William and Mary (Hay) Mason in Defiance, Ohio. On September 29, 1962 he married Saundra Niec, who preceded him in death....

May 29, 2024

Joyce Marie Frank, 85, of Defiance passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Vancrest of Hicksville, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on July 1, 1938, to Jay and Loretta (O'Bringer) Lehman in Lebanon, Missouri.  Joyce was a 1956 graduate of Defiance High School.  In her younger years, Joyce held various jobs, working at...

May 27, 2024

Victor T. Lloyd, age 80 of Defiance, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital. He was born on November 27, 1943 to Victor and Avyinelle (Hahn) Lloyd in Defiance, Ohio. Victor attended Ayersville High School. He married Rose Ann Schilt on June 22, 1963, who survives. They were married for several years, but later...

May 27, 2024

Donna M. Ferland of Defiance, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024 at the age of 91, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 16, 1932 to the late Joseph Sr. and Edith (Digby) Majeske. She was a 1950 graduate of St. Mary's Academy in Monroe, Michigan. On June 27, 1953 she married...

May 23, 2024

Melvin L. Corwin, age 89 of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born in Brunersburg on July 17, 1934 to the late William and Verna (Bruner) Corwin. Melvin was a 1952 graduate of Sherwood High School with 13 students in his graduating class. He proudly served our...

May 22, 2024

Jessica M. Sowers, age 33 of Defiance, passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. She was born on July 22, 1990 to Todd Sowers and Michelle (Hinkle) Peggs in Bryan, Ohio. Jessica was a 2009 graduate of Bryan High School and Four County Career Center....

May 22, 2024

Loretta K. Jones, age 83 of Cecil, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at home surrounded by her family. She was born on June 28, 1940 to the late Arthur and Etta (Tweedale) Terwilliger in Good Hope, Illinois. On February 25, 2000 she married Lonnie D. Jones who survives. Loretta was a member of American Legion in...

May 16, 2024

Heather A. Ward, age 39 of Defiance, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Indiana. She was born on January 31, 1985 to Scott Ward and Robin Temple in Defiance, Ohio. Heather was a 2003 graduate of Tinora High School, and earned her Associate's Degree from Northwest State Community College in 2008. She worked at Therma-Tru for...

May 14, 2024

Shirley Ann (Amsbaugh) Morris was born on April 29, 1933, the daughter of Kenneth and Ruth Amsbaugh. On May 14, 2024 at the age of 91, Shirley passed away at home with her daughters by her side.

Shirley grew up in Defiance, Ohio, where she met her forever sweetheart Kenneth Morris. They started their amazing journey together...

May 11, 2024

Margaret G. Flores, age 94 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday May 11, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on November 4, 1929 to Daniel and Beatrice (Zapien) Godoy in Texarkana, Texas. On November 4, 1961 she married Abraham Flores, who preceded her in death on January 17, 2024.  Margaret was a member of...

May 11, 2024

Howard W. "Howie" Brown Jr., 72, of Defiance, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Brookview Nursing Home in Defiance. Howie was born on December 11, 1951 to Howard and D'Nelle (Heilshorn) Brown in Defiance. He was a graduate of the Defiance High School Class of 1969.  Howie worked as a welder for Defiance Metal Products for 15 years...

May 8, 2024

Gino Santino Silvestri, 81, of Defiance, Ohio peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Born on November 14, 1942, in Brewster, Ohio, he was the son of the late Dominico and Lina (Leonetti) Silvestri.

Gino is survived by his loving wife of 62-years, Janet (Remenaric) Silvestri, whom he married on June...

May 6, 2024

David R. Wilson, 64, of Stryker, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Monday, May 6, 2024. David was born on August 23, 1959 to Glen and Jessie Marietta (Moore) Wilson.

He graduated from Ayersville High School in 1977 and served in the U.S. Army for several years, stationed in Korea providing Medevac on Huey Helicopters....

May 5, 2024

Leon Larry Froelich, age 76 of Ney, Ohio, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. He was born on August 5, 1947 to Edward and Agnes (Berryman) Froelich in Defiance, Ohio. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army. On April 1, 1983 he married Barbara Calvin, who preceded him...

May 5, 2024

John Hampton Wagner became a member of the Angelic Choir of Heaven on May 5, 2024 at Glenn Park Assisted Living facility in Defiance. He was received into the arms of Jesus and is enveloped in His Divine love of which there is no end. With the grace of an angel, John endured years of serious medical issues with...

May 5, 2024

Michael A. "Mikee" Hill, age 56 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born on March 12, 1968 to Michael and Diane (Varner) Hill in Defiance, Ohio. Mikee was a graduate of Defiance High School and Four County Career Center, where he majored in the Electrical...

May 2, 2024

Obituary will be updated as available from the family.

May 2, 2024

Richard Wesley Wright, 95, of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Brookview Healthcare Center. Dick was born on January 10, 1929 to the late Harvey and Elsie (Starkey) Wright in Liberty Center, Ohio. He was a 1947 graduate of Defiance High School. On January 28, 1950  he married Leona Ashbaugh, who preceded him in death...