Obituaries

Nov 1, 2025

Alice P. Gebhart, age 94 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on December 17, 1930 to Harold and Clara (Fischer) Baringer in Continental, Ohio. On September 1, 1949 she married Edward Gebhart, who preceded her in death on May 21, 2021. Alice is survived by her...

Nov 1, 2025

Rev. William W. "Bill" Sherry, age 79 of Defiance, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Glenn Park of Defiance.

He was born in Paulding, Ohio on October 13, 1946, to the late Rex and Betty (Bair) Sherry. Bill was a graduate of Auglaize Brown Local High School, earned his...

Nov 1, 2025

Thomas E. "Tom" Jennings, 68, of Defiance, passed away on November 1, 2025 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Defiance. He was born on December 7, 1956 to Charles and Mary (Hess) Jennings in Defiance, OH. He was a graduate of Defiance High School. Tom worked as a Painter for Campbell's Painting for many years. He was a member of...

Oct 31, 2025

Veria Louise Frank, 69, of Defiance, Ohio, lost her battle to cancer and passed on October 31st surrounded by her loved ones.

Born in Defiance, OH on September 22nd, 1956 to William Stanley Young and Elaine Fay Boyd Young. Graduated from Defiance High School in 1975. Married to Jerome "Jerry" Ernest Kennedy (deceased July 4th, 1991). Met...

Oct 29, 2025

William Walter "Bill" Shipman, age 85 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born in Ney, Ohio on October 5, 1940 to the late William and Roba (Stotler) Shipman. On January 14, 1967 he married Nancy (Brinkman) Shipman who survives. Bill was a 1958 graduate of Defiance...

Oct 27, 2025

Ronald "Ron" Duncan, age 79 of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025 at the Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, IN. He was born in Harlan, Kentucky on August 20, 1946 to the late Delphia (Sheffield) Duncan. He was married to (the late) Fern (McGuire) Duncan who he absolutely adored. Ron worked for over 40 years...

Oct 26, 2025

Mrs. Ida Mae (Fitts) Rayford, age 76 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Ida was born on April 7, 1947 to the late Sylvester and Pauline (Street) Fitts in Marshall County, Mississippi. In December, 1988 she married her soulmate Henry L. Rayford Jr. who preceded her in death on July...

Oct 26, 2025

Terry Mae Raines, 77, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born in Defiance, Ohio on October 5, 1948 to the late Vernon and Velma (Osborn) Bauer. Terry was a 1966 graduate of Ayersville High School. She worked at several local...

Oct 25, 2025

Dane Scott Hahn, age 31 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday October 25, 2025.

Dane was born on January 31, 1994 to Crystal Retcher and Scott A. Hahn in Defiance, Ohio. Dane was a sweet and beautiful baby...he was an ornery little boy. When he was about three years old he had a pair of toy handcuffs....

Oct 25, 2025

Jesse Bernal Sr., 71, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2025, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on April 26, 1954, in Fostoria, Ohio, the son of Edward (Lopez) Bernal and Anastasia Cabrera. Jesse was a 1973 graduate of Defiance High School and Four County Vocational...

Oct 25, 2025

William E Bennett, age 79, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

He was born November 18, 1945, in Jersey City, to the late James and Helen (Lomenski) Bennett. After high school, William proudly served in the United State Navy, a Veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of the VFW Post...

Oct 24, 2025

Brenda M. Closset, age 72 of Defiance, passed away on Friday morning, October 24, 2025 at home with her loved ones by her side. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky on April 2, 1953 to the late Joseph and Zerelda (Dages) Wheat. On June 12, 2013 she married Lindy A. Closset who preceded her in death on August 8,...

Oct 22, 2025

Mark C. Moats, 84, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. He was born on July 25, 1941 in Defiance, Ohio to the late Paul and Mary (Stipe) Moats.

Mark graduated in 1959 from Fairview High School as a member of the first graduating class. He attended Miami University and later enlisted in the...

Oct 21, 2025

Gerald W. "Jerry" Monnin, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio, surrounded by his loving family. Jerry was born Dec 19, 1938 to Bill and Josephine Monnin in Dayton OH. He was the youngest of three children. He attended Chaminade Julienne HS, and then enlisted and served honorably in...

Oct 19, 2025

Tina Marie Armstrong, age 61 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at her home in Defiance. She was born in Defiance on October 5, 1964 to Robert and Vivian (Zedaker) Mann. Tina was a 1982 graduate of Tinora High School and a faithful member of Restoration Tabernacle in Defiance. Tina was a huge fan of the...

Oct 19, 2025

Amy Jane Young, age 71, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 12, 1954 in Defiance, Ohio to Keith and Jane (Kimberly) Weisenburger. Amy was a 1972 graduate of Defiance High School. She was very proud of her class. Amy...

Oct 18, 2025

Roger F. Kroeckel, age 83 of Defiance, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born in Defiance on September 30, 1942 to the late Donald and Norma (Hall) Kroeckel. On February 16, 1962 he married Sharon Ludwig, who preceded him in death on May 13,...

Oct 16, 2025

George L. Kruse, age 87 of Defiance, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on October 9, 1938 to the late Carl and Ruth (Taylor) Kruse in Paulding, Ohio. On November 8, 1958 he married Margene Anderson who survives.

In his youth, George worked on a farm until he...

Oct 11, 2025

Daniel "David" Hostettler Jr. "Hoss", age 85 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center with his family by his side. He was born in Defiance on May 30, 1940 to the late Daniel and Marie (Wisda) Hostettler. David was a 1958 graduate of Defiance High School.  On October 13, 1962...

Oct 10, 2025

Joseph Paul Simonis, age 74 of Defiance, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025 at his residence in Defiance, Ohio. He was born on April 18, 1951 to the late Francis and Margaret (Beaubien) Simonis. Joe was a 1970 graduate of Defiance High School. He worked at Chief Supermarket for 44 years and was a member of the NRA...