Obituaries

Jul 14, 2022

William D. Froelich, age 75 of Ayersville, passed suddenly on Thursday, July 14, 2022.

He was born on December 21, 1946, in Defiance to Walter A. and Elsie "Erdene" (Deffenbaugh) Froelich. He was a graduate of Ayersville HS Class of 1965. Bill proudly served in the US Navy 65' - 69'. He married Brenda (Redmond) Froelich in...

Jul 14, 2022

Henry L. Rayford Jr., age 64 of Defiance, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at The Medical Center at Caverna in Horse Cave, Kentucky. He was born on August 2, 1957 to the late Henry and Ruby (Dockery) Rayford in Marshall County, Mississippi. On December 30, 1988 he married Ida Mae (Fitts) Rayford, who survives. Henry attended...

Jul 13, 2022

Rosemary Mehring, age 95 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at Fountain Park Assisted Living in Bryan, Ohio. She was born on June 6, 1927 in Napoleon Township, Henry County to the late Thomas E. and Lula M. (Fedderke) Stykemain. On October 17, 1948 she married Paul E. Mehring, who preceded her in death on...

Jul 8, 2022

James "Jim" Edward Krall, age 83 of Defiance, Ohio passed away July 8, 2022 with family around him at CHP Hospice Center of Defiance after a long battle with cancer.

Jim was born in Toledo, Ohio on November 19, 1938 to Edward and Joan (Faja) Krall. He graduated from Woodward High School in 1957 and joined the...

Jul 8, 2022

Jody Ann Shirey, age 57 of Defiance, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2022 at her home in Defiance, Ohio. Jody lost her battle with cancer quickly after diagnosis. She was born in Hicksville, Ohio on August 16, 1964 to the late Junior and Dolores (Hartman) Bassett. Jody was a 1982 graduate of Fairview High School. On November 1,...

Jul 6, 2022

Wallace E. "Pete" Dodson, age 89, of Defiance, formerly of Independence, Missouri, passed away on  July 6, 2022 at the Hospice of NW Ohio in Perrysburg, Ohio surrounded by his family. He was born on April 8, 1933 to the late Jesse and Ruby (Premer) Dodson in Toledo, Ohio.  In 1953, he married Ella Mae Pinckley, now deceased, and...

Jul 5, 2022

Martin David Rohdy, "Blew Eyes", 58 of Defiance took his final ride on July 5, 2022 at 11:55am surrounded by his family.  He was born November 11, 1963 to Roland "Ron" Rohdy and Claudia (Donley) Baxter.  Martin was previously married to Alicia Karnes Weber and Norma "Shorti" Bevins who both survive.

He will be greatly missed by...

Jul 5, 2022

Cheryl Ann Urivez, 71, of Defiance, passed away on July 5, 2022 at her residence after a lengthy illness. She was born on February 23, 1951 to Robert and Luana (Perrigo) Hax in Saginaw, Michigan.  On July 3, 1982 she married Oscar Urivez and quickly became a member of his family. Cheryl was a very active member of St...

Jul 1, 2022

Frances Ramirez, 71, of Defiance, passed away on  July 1, 2022 at the Brookview Healthcare Center, Defiance, OH. She was born on October 31, 1950 to Manuel and Carmen (Malonado) Martinez in Defiance, Ohio. On December 24, 1973 she married Juan  Ramirez who survives in Defiance, Ohio. She was a homemaker. Frances  is survived by her loving spouse Juan...

Jun 30, 2022

James E. "Ed" Bruce, 65, of Defiance, passed away on Thursday morning, June 30, 2022 at his home in Defiance. He was born on November 16, 1956 to the late James and Peggy (Brickey) Bruce in Defiance, Ohio. Ed worked for over 39 years at General Motors until his retirement in 2016. He was a member of the Masonic...

Jun 26, 2022

Rose E. Goeltzenleuchter, age 93 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday morning, June 26, 2022 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance, Ohio. She was born on April 17, 1929 to the late Peter and Mary (Conway) VanAgtmael in Hart, Michigan. Rose was married to Virgil V. Mack, who preceded her in death in 1991, and Dale Goeltzenleuchter, who passed away...

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,...