Obituaries

Apr 27, 2026

Elizabeth E. Martinez, 86, of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026 at Henry County Hospital in Napoleon.

She was born in Leipsic, Ohio on August 26, 1939 to the late Glen and Agnes (Carver) Combs. She was married to Jose Martinez who preceded her in death.

Elizabeth was a member of Harvest Fellowship Church in Hamler, Ohio. She worked...

Apr 27, 2026

Kim E. Meek, age 69 of Defiance, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Monday morning, April 27, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born in Defiance on August 9, 1956 to the late Nelson and Virginia (Weisenberger) Burill. Kim was a 1974 graduate of Defiance High School and a member of the Defiance High...

Apr 26, 2026

Neil Allen Knoll, 84, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026 with his family by his side after a courageous fight with cancer.

He was born on July 2, 1941 to Daniel and Ruth (Martin) Knoll in Defiance. He spent all his life in Defiance where he met his wife, Joyce Schuette at Toot & Tell Restaurant. They were...

Apr 26, 2026

Laura A. Bosh, 95, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

She was born on March 20, 1931 to the late Frank and Myrta (Adams) Grimes in Paulding County, Ohio. Laura attended Oakwood High School and graduated from Defiance College with a teaching degree in 1952. She met Jack Eugene Bosh at college and they were married December 21,...

Apr 25, 2026

Sara L. Straley, age 66 of Sandusky, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 25, 2026. She was born on February 17, 1960 in Van Wert, Ohio to James L. Straley and Karen (Keysor) Straley.

Sara graduated from Defiance High School in 1978 and was a graduate of Northwest Tech. She worked as an office manager. She enjoyed sports, especially following...

Apr 25, 2026

Dorothy M. Herr, age 94 of Defiance, went to her home in Heaven on April 25, 2026, with family by her side. She was born on February 23, 1932 to the late John and Helen (McKellips) Trubey in Defiance. She was a 1950 graduate of Defiance High School. On September 26, 1953 she married the love of her life Bernard...

Apr 24, 2026

Kathy Ann (Stuckey) Conley, 76, of Defiance, passed away surrounded by her family on April 24, 2026, at her home.

She was born on August 17, 1949, to John and Gloria (Hale) Stuckey in Defiance, Ohio. She was a 1968 graduate of Defiance High School. On September 27, 1969, she married Charles Conley, who survives.

Kathy was a faithful member of Family...

Apr 23, 2026

Clyde W. "Bud" Butler, age 89 of Defiance, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026 surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born in Defiance on April 9, 1937 to the late Russell and Flora (Doyle) Butler. On September 9, 1960 he married Doris (Adkins) Butler who preceded him in death on May 11, 1976. On July 28, 1978 he married...

Apr 23, 2026

Michael Anthony Zipfel, 80, passed away on April 23, 2026. He was born on April 15, 1946 in Defiance, Ohio. He married his high school sweetheart, Rita on June 25, 1966.

Mike was Valedictorian in 1964, and the last person ever to graduate from Jewell High School. After graduation and getting married, he enlisted in the Army. He felt a sense...

Apr 22, 2026

Shirley Ann Groll, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital.

She was born in Trenton, New Jersey on February 9, 1940 to the late Oris and Marvel (Wolfe) Slusser. In January, 1959 she married Charles Groll Jr., who preceded her in death on March 30, 2006.

Shirley was a faithful member of St....

Apr 21, 2026

Chantel L. Partee, 40, of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital.

She was born in Defiance on December 24, 1985 to Rick and Heidi (Bowers) Partee. Chantel was a 2002 graduate of Defiance High School and was a member of Defiance Eagles #372. She worked at Campbell's Soup Company for several years, and most...

Apr 21, 2026

Estevan Garcia Jr., age 76 of Defiance, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday morning, April 21, 2026.

He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on May 22, 1949 to the late Estevan Sr. and Hortencia (Fernandez) Garcia. Estevan is a proud Veteran of the U.S. Army and served from 1967 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. He...

Apr 21, 2026

Bonnie Kay Fosnaugh, age 74, of Defiance, Ohio, went to meet her savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

She was born on July 6, 1951, to Alva and Jean (Lantow) Clemens in Defiance, Ohio. She was a 1969 graduate of Defiance High School and a dedicated employee of Defiance Optometric Group for 41 years.

Bonnie has lived her life for...

Apr 20, 2026

Carol "Sue" Porter, 88, of Defiance, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Monday morning, April 20, 2026 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance, Ohio. She was born on February 7, 1938 to Charles and Helen (McCauley) McGue in Lima, Ohio. Sue was a 1956 graduate of Defiance High School. On February 27, 1959 she married Edburt "Ed"...

Apr 19, 2026

Rev. Juan R. Perez, 79, a former Frankfort resident, passed away April 19, 2026 at his home in Indianapolis. He was born June 23, 1946 in Puerto Rico to Higinio Perez & Dolores (Reyes) Perez. He married Elizabeth Rangel on May 27, 1967 in Ohio and she survives.

Juan went to School in Puerto Rico. He was The Pastor at Jubilee...

Apr 18, 2026

Mary Lou Demland, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. She was born in Ney, Ohio on December 25, 1939 to the late Albert and Dorothy (Welsh) Lambert. On June 22, 1963 she married Roger "R.D." Demland who preceded her in death on December 20, 2019. Mary...

Apr 16, 2026

Eugene J. Wittler, age 93, of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born May 7, 1932 to the late John and Emma (Ellerbrock) Wittler in Fort Jennings, Ohio. On August 27, 1955 he married the love of his life, Norma L. Hohlbein (deceased).

Eugene...

Apr 16, 2026

Sandra D. Schappert, 74, of Defiance, passed away on Thursday morning, April 16, 2026 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Montpelier, Ohio on May 4, 1951 to the late Karl and JoAnne (Mercer) Moor. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading, painting, gardening. She loved spending time...

Apr 15, 2026

John D. Disheaux, age 76 of Elkhart, Indiana, formerly of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 in Elkhart, Indiana surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Defiance, Ohio on September 21, 1949 and was a 1968 graduate of Defiance High School. John was a member of Defiance AmVets #1991 and Defiance Eagles #372. He worked...

Apr 14, 2026

Sharon M. VanVlerah, age 75 of Bryan, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at Fountain Park in Bryan. She was born in Wauseon, Ohio on June 7, 1950 to the late Harold and Patricia (Harvey) Hayden. On February 16, 1978 she married Leo "Lee" VanVlerah who preceded her in death on May 3, 2018. Sharon worked for...