Obituaries

Mar 5, 2026

Keith D. Steffan, 76, passed away unexpectedly in his home in Defiance, Ohio, on March 5, 2026. He was born on July 18, 1949 to Clarence and Phyllis (Unverferth) Steffan in Lima, Ohio.

Keith was known for his sense of humor, quiet nature, and took great pride in his children and grandchildren.

Keith graduated from...

Mar 3, 2026

Randa J. Gale, age 71 of Defiance, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Tuesday morning, March 3, 2026 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Defiance, Ohio. She was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on August 31, 1954 to Ralph and Rose (Guerin) Brown. Randa is a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy. She loved her career as an...

Mar 3, 2026

Larry James Fillinger, 79, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026, at CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 7,1947, to the late Ralph Walter and Anna Margaret (Lero) Fillinger in Defiance, Ohio. On June 29, 1973, he married Rebecca Killion who survives.

Larry was a member of the...

Mar 2, 2026

Henry D. "Hank" Gerken, age 94 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance. He was born on December 21, 1931 to the late Frank and Catherine (Damman) Gerken in Fulton County, Ohio. Henry was a 1950 graduate of Napoleon High School. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from...

Mar 1, 2026

Sandra K. Peek, age 76 of Ney, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at her home. She was born on July 22, 1949 to the late Dean and Maude (Jubenville) Perry in Bryan, Ohio. On October 14, 2008 she married Joe Peek who survives.

Sandra was a nurses aide at Twin Rivers Nursing Home, and...

Feb 27, 2026

Jeff Duryea, 63, Defiance, Ohio, passed away Friday, February 27, 2026, at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice, Defiance, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July 21, 1962, in Findlay, Ohio, to Jerry Duryea and Betty (Reichenbach) Whitaker. Jeff retired from Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio. He enjoyed taking cruises in his military trucks...

Feb 24, 2026

Dr. William H. Richter of Defiance passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, where he was surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee on March 26, 1946 to the late George and Martha (Smith) Richter. William proudly served our country in the U.S. Air Force from 1979-1981 (Active Duty)....

Feb 24, 2026

Harold "Gene" Eugene Raub, age 60, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, in his Defiance home. He was surrounded by his beloved family and pets while lying comfortably in his own bed.

Harold was born in Zanesville, Ohio on January 12th, 1966, to Harold "Butch" Edwin Raub and Betty Watson. He was a 1984 graduate...

Feb 22, 2026

Timothy Lynn Schwiebert, age 76 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026 surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born on November 27, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was a 1969 graduate of Ridgeville High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot from 1969-1973 during the Vietnam War. Tim...

Feb 20, 2026

Frank E. Tressler Sr., age 81 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 20, 2026 at Canal Pointe Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Akron, Ohio. He was born on May 31, 1944 to the late Clarence and Grace (Woodruff) Tressler in Findlay, Ohio. On July 21, 1967 he married Barbara Goble who preceded him in death on April...

Feb 17, 2026

Robert Louis 'Bob' Grimes passed away at Kingsbury Place in Defiance on February 17, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Defiance on September 10, 1937, the middle child of the late Cleo Quinton Grimes and Virginia Mary (Bauer) Grimes.

Bob was a 1957 graduate of Defiance High School. After graduation, he enlisted in...

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...