Obituaries

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...

Jan 14, 2026

Laurel Ann Minck, age 85 of Paulding, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday evening, January 14, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born in Paulding, Ohio on April 28, 1940 to the late Richard and Illa (Aten) LaFountain. Laurel earned her Associates degree from Northwest State Community College and worked as an office associate for German...

Jan 14, 2026

Shirley A. Adcock, age 90 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday morning, January 14, 2026 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance, Ohio. She was born in Defiance, Ohio on July 21, 1935 to the late Florence (Ott) and Victor F. Mekus Sr. Shirley was a 1953 graduate of Defiance High School and on February 6, 1970 she married Lawrence "Larry"...

Jan 14, 2026

Dorothy M. Kennedy, age 88 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance.

She was born in Wooster, Ohio on September 30, 1937 to the late Roy and Marjorie (Shisler) Emerling. Dorothy was a 1955 graduate of Wooster High School. She worked as a Supervisor at Maumee Valley Vending Company in...

Jan 10, 2026

Antonio David Laker-Sierra, age 2 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. He was born on May 12, 2023 to Jeremy Sierra and LeAnn Laker in Toledo, OH. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. Antonio enjoyed interacting with his sisters and his family, being outdoors and chasing...

Jan 9, 2026

Albert John Seimet, age 78, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026 at 8:03 pm in the exceptional care of St. Rita's Mercy Hospital in Lima, Ohio. After a long battle with various illnesses, it was finally time to see if the fishing is better on the other side.

Al or "Butch" as his siblings and parents...

Jan 9, 2026

Bernard "Butch" Harold Sines, 95, of Defiance, passed away on  January 9, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Butch was born on October 31, 1930 to Harold  and Mildred (Leeth) Sines in Evansport, OH. He always said "He was the trick not the treat".

On February 20, 1954 he married Anna Mae Schaffer, who...

Jan 5, 2026

Lyle G. McLaughlin, age 95 of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026 at Northcrest Nursing Facility in Napoleon, Ohio. He was born in Salmon, Idaho on December 9, 1930 to Elmer and Olive (Montgomery) McLaughlin. On March 27, 1976 he married  Delores (Maiers) McLaughlin who preceded him in death. He proudly served his country in the...

Jan 5, 2026

John Anthony Willitzer Jr., age 70 of Defiance, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on March 15, 1955 in Defiance, Ohio to the late John A. and Rose (Reynolds) Willitzer. John was a 1974 graduate of Defiance High School. He proudly served 8 years in the U.S. Marine Corp. from...

Jan 4, 2026

Ronald Holbrook, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born on May 22, 1939 in Allen, Kentucky, the son on of William and Ruby (Frazier) Holbrook. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran, serving in Germany. He worked for Western Union, General Motors, Defiance Beverage Company,...