Obituaries

Jun 24, 2022

Shirley L. Asher, age 87 of Defiance, peacefully passed away with her family by her side on Friday, June 24, 2022 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on April 29, 1935 to the late William and Imogene (Durr) Keller in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. She was married for several years to D. Matt Asher, who preceded...

Jun 23, 2022

Vonda L. Hancock, age 79 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at The Laurels of Defiance. She was born on August 9, 1942 to the late Ford J. and Madonna (Stalhut) Farlee in Sherwood, Ohio. Vonda was a 1960 graduate of Bryan High School. On April 19, 1985 she married Ronald Hancock, who preceded her...

Jun 22, 2022

Philip A. Johnston, age 68 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at his home in Defiance, Ohio. He was born on June 4, 1954 to the late Hilton "Doc" and Lucille (Gilgenbach) Johnston in Defiance. Phil worked for over 30 years at Metal Management until his retirement. He was a life member of the NRA. Phil...

Jun 22, 2022

Kevin L. Athy, age 67, of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 in Defiance, Ohio. He was born in Montpelier, Ohio on April 7, 1955 to Robert and Cora (Turner) Athy. Kevin was a 1973 graduate of Defiance High School. He enjoyed fishing and was know as a "jack of all trades". Kevin is survived by his...

Jun 21, 2022

Robert Lee "Bob" Nicely, age 84 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. He was born in Defiance, Ohio on January 29, 1938 to the late John and Lena (Kiesling) Nicely. On June 18, 1961 he married Beverly (Gerken) Nicely, who survives.

Bob was a faithful member of St. Stephen's Lutheran...

Jun 20, 2022

Beatrice L. "Bea" Jenkins, age 78, of Hamler, Ohio, peacefully passed away with her family by her side on Monday morning, June 20, 2022 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born in Holgate, Ohio on March 10, 1944 to the late Frank and Emma (Butler) Meyer. Bea worked for several years at General Motors in Defiance,...

Jun 20, 2022

Mary M. Sheets, age 91 of New Bavaria, Ohio, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, June 20, 2022 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born in Hamler, Ohio on May 11, 1931 to the late Philip and Rose (Dibling) Cavanaugh. She was married to Paul H. Sheets for many years until his death...

Jun 18, 2022

Jaimee Beth Arps, 43, of Dublin, Ohio found her peace on June 18, 2022 after succumbing to physical complications resulting from her long struggle with anorexia. In her final moments she was with her family, who she was devoted to in life. Jaimee was born in Bowling Green, Ohio on March 8, 1979 and spent her childhood in Bryan,...

Jun 16, 2022

Tyler Micah Eckel, age 38 of Defiance, OH, succumbed to a two-decade battle with the anguish of mental illness, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

Tyler was born to Mark and Robin Eckel on July 14, 1983 in Goshen, IN. Throughout his life he lived in Bismarck, ND, Adrian, MI, Wheaton, IL, Ashville, NC, Fishers, IN, and Defiance,...

Jun 12, 2022

Harold Gene Brown, 75, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at his residence in Defiance. He was born on November 3, 1946 to the late Harold and Helen (Stevens) Brown in Defiance, Ohio. Harold was a 1964 graduate of Defiance High School. He proudly played the tuba for the Defiance High School Marching Band of Class....

Jun 8, 2022

Helen G. Smith, 99, of Defiance died at 7:56 PM on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at Brookview Health Care Center in Defiance, Ohio.

She was born October 10, 1922, in Saybrook, OH. She was the daughter of Lawrence and Effie (Baker) Wheeler. In 1945 she married George H. Smith, who preceded her in death in 2000.

Jun 6, 2022

Sharon M. "Sheri" Brown, age 63 of Defiance, passed away on Monday evening, June 6, 2022 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on January 21, 1959 to Edward and Alice (Baringer) Gebhart in Defiance, Ohio. Sheri worked in Quality Control at Johns Manville for 14 years. She enjoyed golfing and sitting on the back...

Jun 5, 2022

Joyce A. Westhoven, age 75 of Toledo, formerly of Defiance, peacefully passed surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

She was born on January 27, 1947 to the late Wilber and Helen (Zipfel) Steinbrener in Defiance, Ohio. On October 5, 1968 she married Carl Westhoven, who survives. Joyce was a member of St. Mary Catholic...

Jun 3, 2022

Vanessa A. Hernandez, age 23 of Defiance, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2022 in Defiance. She was born on January 10, 1999 to Edward and Angel (Donley) Hernandez in Paulding, Ohio. Vanessa was a wonderful mother, and cherished her time spent with her family. Vanessa had a great sense of humor and positive energy. She liked to joke...

Jun 2, 2022

Tommy L. Biller, age 55 of Defiance, peacefully passed away at home on Thursday evening, June 2, 2022. He was born on August 1, 1966 to Arthur and Margaret (Sutton) Biller in Bryan, Ohio. Tommy enjoyed working outdoors, and collecting die-cast cars. Tommy is survived by his father, Arthur E. (Nancy) Biller of Hoytville, OH, his brother, John (Michele)...

Jun 1, 2022

Cathy Gerken, age 68 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Wednesday morning, June 1, 2022 at home surrounded by her family. She was born on April 7, 1954 to the late Frank and Doris (Robson) Wagner in Montpelier, Ohio. Cathy was a 1972 graduate of Montpelier High School. On July 21, 1984 she married Jerry Gerken, who survives.

May 30, 2022

Sarepio Casarez Sr., age 91 of Defiance, peacefully passed surrounded by his family on Monday, May 30, 2022 in Defiance, Ohio. He was born on September 3, 1930 to the late Isadore and Santos (Martinez) Casarez in Palacios, Texas. He was married to Ofelia (Garcia) Casarez who preceded him in death.

Sarepio was a member of St....

May 29, 2022

Madonna R. Breece, 76, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at the CHP Defiance Area Hospice Inpatient Center, Defiance, OH. She was born on June 24, 1945 to Joseph and Madonna (Clemens) Doody in Defiance, OH.  On July 28, 1979 she married Larry Breece, who survives. Madonna worked at GM as a communications editor, retiring in...

May 28, 2022

On May 28, 2022 the Lord called his faithful servant, James A. Bray, home. He and his wife, Dorothy, had just returned home from Florida, after several months of declining health.

James was born January 26, 1939 in Amo, Indiana to Robert Wayne and Charlotte (Lottie) Belle (Jarvis) Bray. In 1957 he was graduated from Cutler High...

May 28, 2022

Norma J Chandler, 91, of Defiance, passed away on  May 28, 2022 at Glenn Park Senior Living, Defiance, OH. She was born on January 8, 1931 to Gordon  and Freda (Wolf) Gary in Defiance, OH. Norma was married Everett Chandler, who preceded her in death. Norma worked for All-Star Products, and was a member of Trinity United Methodist.  She...