Obituaries

Feb 16, 2026

William H. "Jake" Ames, age 90 of Defiance, passed away on Monday morning, February 16, 2026 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance, Ohio, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on May 26, 1935 to the late Rollie and Flossie (Sprow) Ames in Defiance. On February 5, 1955 he married Pauline Yoder, who preceded him in death on October...

Feb 15, 2026

Luzmaria "Lucy" (Cotto) Bok, age 77 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 15, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 19, 1948 to the late Antonio and Luisa (Rivera) Cotto in Cidra, Puerto Rico. On August 25, 2008 she married Myron Bok who survives. Lucy was a Bingo enthusiast and loved her dogs....

Feb 13, 2026

Billy Solomon Poston, born in the hills of Russell County Virginia on May 2, 1941, passed away on February 13, 2026, at home with his devoted wife by his side.

Bill is survived by Roberta "Bobbie Jo" Poston, his wife of 55 years; his son Billy Wayne Poston; his brother Don (Dorothy) Poston; his loving granddaughter Dreama...

Feb 11, 2026

Mary Lou Lloyd, age 82 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at home surrounded by loved ones.

She was born in Defiance, Ohio on February 23, 1943, to the late Leo and Vanda (Kunesh) Vance. Mary Lou was a 1961 graduate of Ayersville High School. On June 26, 1971, she married Dale W. Lloyd,...

Feb 10, 2026

Valeria E. (Wagner) Barber, age 100, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Saint Clare Commons in Perrysburg, Ohio, where she had been a resident for the past seven years. She was born on April 25, 1925, to John W. and Mary C. (Willitzer) Wagner in Adams Township, Defiance County, Ohio, and was the ninth of sixteen children....

Feb 7, 2026

Judith Myers, 87, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026. She was born on October 14, 1938, to the late Arthur and Edna Goller.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance. Family and friends are invited to join the family at Dos Eppi's...

Feb 7, 2026

Wilma Fay Sponsler, age 100 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance, Ohio. She was born in Defiance on April 6, 1925 to Thomas and Madge (Relyea) Love. Wilma was a 1944 graduate of Defiance High School. On August 27, 1944 she married Virgil T. Sponsler who preceded her in death...

Feb 1, 2026

David Daniel Higgins Sr., age 69 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born in Defiance, Ohio on September 23, 1956 to the late James and Peggy (Snider) Higgins. David was a 1974 graduate of Tinora High School. On June 23, 1976 he married Vickie Mansfield who...

Jan 29, 2026

Richard Glenn "Dick" Tolles, age 87 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. Dick was born on August 18, 1938 in Weston, Ohio to Clara (Marsh) and Jay Tolles. He graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1956. On May 2, 1959, he married the love of his life...

Jan 29, 2026

Jennifer Linn Urban, age 56 of Defiance, Ohio, peacefully passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Defiance, Ohio. She was born in Defiance on April 4, 1969 to the late Martha (Druhot) and Larry Schlosser Sr. Jennifer was a 1987 graduate of Defiance High School and was a devout member of the Defiance Marching...

Jan 26, 2026

Carol K. Armstrong, age 83 of Defiance, passed away on Monday morning, January 26, 2026 surrounded by her loved ones at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born in Hicksville, Ohio on August 15, 1942 to the late Kenneth and Geraldine (West) Smitley. On April 18, 1959 she married Gary A. Armstrong, who preceded her in death...

Jan 25, 2026

Bryan J. Conlon, age 60, of Defiance, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at his residence. He was born on December 9, 1965 to James and Madonna (Becher) Conlon in Defiance, Ohio. Bryan was a 1985 graduate of Tinora High School, and a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Defiance. Bryan worked for over 26 years...

Jan 24, 2026

Charles Donald Swoboda, age 78 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at The Meadows of Kalida. He was born in Kenton, Ohio on October 4, 1947 to Frank and Jean (Robinson) Swoboda. Don proudly served in the U.S. Navy. On February 11, 2003 he married Carol Booher who survives. Don was a member of North...

Jan 23, 2026

Ernie Willis, age 81 of Defiance, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026 at Majestic Care of Bryan, Ohio.

He was born in Coeburn, Virginia on May 31, 1944 to the late George and Della (Helton) Willis, and was a 1965 graduate of Coeburn High School. He is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from...

Jan 22, 2026

Charles R. "Charlie" Miler Sr., age 72 of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away on Thursday morning, January 22, 2026 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born in Defiance, Ohio on January 30, 1953 to Harmon and Mary (Stitsel) Miler. On February 14, 2002 he married Tammy (Shackelford) Miler who survives. Charlie worked for over 25 years at General Motors...

Jan 22, 2026

Brenda Ann Clady, age 69, of Defiance, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

She was born in Defiance, Ohio, on November 9, 1956, to the late Eugene Porter and Opal (Williams) Greiner. Brenda was a 1975 graduate of Defiance High School.

Brenda was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church,...

Jan 21, 2026

Linda L. Dempsey, 80, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, January 21, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born in Adrian, Michigan on May 5, 1945 to the late Furman and Marian (Fetzer) Ladd. On August 24, 1963 she married Russell C. Dempsey who preceded her in death on May 20,...

Jan 20, 2026

Mary Jo "Josie" Dowler, age 80 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born in Defiance, Ohio on November 7, 1945 to the late Thomas and Dorothy (Diehl) Lawson. On October 8, 1966 she married Gary L. Dowler who survives. Josie proudly earned her Bachelor's degree in...

Jan 18, 2026

Elizabeth L. "Betsy" Hileman, age 72 of Defiance, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on July 31, 1953, to the late Robert and Jane (Thomas) Boehm. Betsy was a 1971 graduate of Defiance High School and earned...

Jan 17, 2026

Cathy Lee Clellan Spears, age 72 of Paulding, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026 leaving behind her earthly remains to be greeted by her family in heaven. She was born in Columbus, Ohio on December 2, 1953 to the late John Thomas and Sarah Jane (Simkins) Clellan. Cathy was a 1972 graduate of Defiance High School and...