Obituaries

Mar 28, 2026

Known for her warm smile, full cookie tins, and love of her family and friends, Betty Jane (Dirr) Andrews completed her 101 year journey with grace, on March 28, 2026.

Betty attributed her longevity to having a great family, beginning with her parents, Ruth and Robert Dirr. As their only child, born on February 15, 1925, Betty...

Mar 27, 2026

Bonnie L. (Fidler) Brewer passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital.

She was born in Defiance, Ohio on September 3, 1957 to the late John R. and Elizabeth (Grimm) Fidler. She was one of the first triplets born in Defiance. In 1978 she married Mark A. "Pete" Weisgerber, who passed away in 2005....

Mar 27, 2026

Dolores (Louys) Ryan of Defiance, Ohio passed away Friday March 27, 2026 at the Laurels in Defiance.

She was born on September 13, 1928 to G.J.P. Louys and Florence (Plas) Louys. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. On August 29, 1949, Dolores married Daniel James Ryan.

Dolores graduated from Defiance High School...

Mar 25, 2026

Jon Extine, 66, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Ayersville, OH. Born in Bogalusa, LA on November 23, 1959, he was the son of both late Glenn Extine and Wilma (Kohli) Extine. Jon graduated from Columbus Grove High School in 1977. He is survived by his wife, Cindy (Herman) Extine....

Mar 25, 2026

Barbara Anne Bush, age 87 of Cecil, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. She was born in Defiance, Ohio on March 19, 1939 to the late James and Geraldine (Batt) French. On January 5, 1958 she married Roger Bush, who preceded her in death on June 3, 2009. Barb was an active and faithful member of First...

Mar 24, 2026

Larry Eugene Linebrink, age 79 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance, Ohio, with his family by his side.

He was born on November 23, 1946 in Defiance, Ohio, and was a graduate of Ayersville High School. On June 28, 1969 he married Rose Zipfel,...

Mar 24, 2026

William Allan Coffman, 97, of Defiance passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at The Laurels of Defiance.

Bill was born on February 8, 1929 to Melvin and Ruth Coffman in Piqua, Ohio. He graduated from Defiance High School in 1947. He worked for his great grandparents, George and Nancy Jatho, at their...

Mar 24, 2026

Rita Ann Green, age 84 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, March 24, 2026 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Defiance, Ohio.

She was born on November 5, 1941 to the late Semans and Eleanor (McDonough) Frankenberry in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Rita moved to Napoleon, Ohio in 1961 and worked at General Motors for several years until...

Mar 20, 2026

Jackie M. Travis, 84, of Defiance, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026 at ProMedica Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio. She was born on April 24, 1941 to Major and Doris (Nelms) Burke in Williamson, WV.  On February 23, 1959 she married Paul Travis Sr, who survives. Jackie had belonged to Napoleon Eagles and was an associate member of...

Mar 19, 2026

Walter Shank Jr. of Paulding, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Walter was born April 6th, 1934 in Continental to Walt and Eve (Decker). He was one of 14 siblings and grew up in McClure. He joined the US Army and made Sgt First Class at only 19 years old after serving in Korea.

Mar 18, 2026

Marvin E. LeMaster, 89, of Defiance, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on May 9, 1936 to the late Dennis and Helen (Smith) LeMaster. Marv was a 1954 graduate of Glenwood High School in New Boston, Ohio. He proudly served our country in the U.S....

Mar 17, 2026

Amber R. Brown, age 42, of Oakwood, Ohio, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born in Paulding, Ohio, on June 23, 1983, to Bruce and Debra (Grove) Miller. Amber was a 2001 graduate of Paulding High School, earned her Bachelor's degree in...

Mar 16, 2026

William Gregory "Greg" Castanien passed away Monday, March 16, 2026, in his home. He was born on December 17, 1966, in Mansfield, OH to William J. and Marjorie Castanien. He attended school in Lexington, OH, Bowling Green, OH, and Defiance City Schools, before graduating from Lake Shore High School in St. Clair Shores, MI.

He loved the...

Mar 11, 2026

John Arthur Hoover, 69, of Defiance, passed away on March 11, 2026.

He was born on July 10, 1956 to Harold and Mary (Moore) Hoover in Wooster, OH. John worked as a Welder for Defiance Metal Products for many years until his retirement. In his retirement, he enjoyed driving for K&P Transportation and talking to people. John...

Mar 11, 2026

Burl E. Klingler, 79, of Defiance, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born in Paulding, Ohio on April 7, 1946 to the late Alva and Anna Klingler. On June 2, 1972 he married Debra Helms, who preceded him in death.

Burl is a proud...

Mar 11, 2026

Marilyn J. Olivo, age 74 of Defiance, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at ProMedica Defiance Hospital. She was born in Lima, Ohio on July 9, 1951 to the late Robert and Susanna (Schroeder) Smith. Marilyn worked for over 40 years at Johns Manville until her retirement in 2017. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic...

Mar 10, 2026

Elvira "Elle" Naomi Pryor (née Jimenez), 79, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026. Elle was born on July 1st, 1946 in Bryan, Ohio, to Antonio Jimenez and Mercedes Jimenez, who preceded her in death. She was a proud graduate of Bryan High School and later attended the University of Toledo. She spent much of her...

Mar 10, 2026

Ronald L. Clyburn, age 70 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at The Gardens of Paulding. He was born on August 27, 1955 to Bill and Velma (Lang) Clyburn in Defiance, Ohio. Ron is survived by his son, Eric Clyburn of Pennsylvania, and his sister, Lynn (Greg)  Wonderly of Sherwood, Ohio. A private burial will be...

Mar 9, 2026

Earl Douglas Rose, age 67 of Defiance, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. He was born in Pikeville, Kentucky on June 20, 1958 to the late Earl and Virginia (Johnson) Rose. On May 23, 1979 he married Cathy Mansfield, who preceded him in death on March 18, 2021. Earl worked as the Head Furnace...

Mar 8, 2026

Royal Justus Hofacker, 90, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026 surrounded by loved ones at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born in Paulding, Ohio on September 25, 1935 to the late Charles and Iva (Taylor) Hofacker. On December 23, 1986 he married Janet Sherrick who survives. Royal is a proud veteran of the U.S....