Obituaries

Jun 1, 2021

SHARON "SUSIE" LYNN ANKNEY, Cecil, OH

Sue was born on June 27, 1949 to Walter Eugene Strong and Hazel May (Lones) Strong in Logansport, Indiana. She graduated from Hicksville High School in 1968. She was employed at Dana Weatherhead in Antwerp, Ohio. This is where she met and fell in love with someone special in the maintenance...

May 31, 2021

Shirley E. Sholl, 81, of Oakwood, Ohio, passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, May 31, 2021 at The Laurels of Defiance. She was born on May 12, 1940 to Meldan and Gladys (Shaffer) Arend in Defiance, Ohio. On November 24, 1967 she married Vincent Sholl, who survives.

Shirley was a faithful member of St.Mary Junction...

May 31, 2021

Ordis Hahn, 79, of Defiance, died peacefully on Monday, May 31, 2021 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born on March 14, 1942 in a farmhouse at the corner of St. Rt. 281 and 65 in Henry County to the late Alva and Lorena (Scheele) Hahn. On September 29, 1962 he married Phyllis (Stuckey) Hahn, after...

May 30, 2021

William J. Gerger, age 85 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at his home in Defiance. He was born on April 1, 1936 to the late Anthony and Theresa (Prinz) Gerger in Mansfield, Ohio. He graduated from Mansfield High School, and proudly served our country in the U.S. Marines. He was married to Davinie (Dunn) Gerger,...

May 28, 2021

Sally Jo Grosenbacher, age 65 of Defiance, passed away on Friday morning, May 28, 2021 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She was born on November 21, 1955 to Elmer and Mary (Nicholls) Sweinhagen in Defiance, Ohio. On November 28, 1998 she married Kim Grosenbacher, who survives. Sally formerly worked as a social worker for several years....

May 25, 2021

Jesus Orona, 58, of Sherwood, passed away on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at his home in Sherwood, Ohio. He was born on November 24, 1962 to Miguel and Rosario (Hernandez) Orona in La Flor de Jimulco, Mexico. On November 13, 2009 he married Amber Orona, who survives. Jesus lived in the moment and loved spending time with his family....

May 24, 2021

John H. Layman, age 90 of Peoria, Arizona, formerly of Defiance, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 in Surprise, Arizona. He was born on October 17, 1930 to Virgil and Wava (Driver) Layman in Toledo, Ohio. In 1949 he married Gwendolyn (Klima) Layman who preceded him in death on July 25, 2015.

John was a member...

May 24, 2021

Valeria F. Beair, 74, of Paulding, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 at The Gardens of Paulding. She was born on August 22, 1946 to the late William and Mazie (Kerns) Theis in Defiance, Ohio. In 1958 she married Richard Beair Sr. who preceded her in death in 2008. Valeria enjoyed her time spent as a homemaker. She...

May 22, 2021

Richard E. "Slim" Nihiser, 84, of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at his home in Defiance. He was born on March 3, 1937 to the late Leroy and Ruth (Trim) Nihiser in Defiance, Ohio. Richard was a 1955 graduate of Defiance High School. On September 21, 1983 he married Doll (Grant) Nihiser, who survives. Richard was...

May 19, 2021

Kenneth E. Frederick, 79, of Archbold, passed away on Wednesday morning, May 19, 2021 at his home in Archbold. He was born on December 1, 1941 to Charles and Leona (Yenser) Frederick in Defiance, Ohio. On December 23, 1998 he married Linda (Van Belle) Frederick, who survives.

Ken worked as a Welder for several years at Johns...

May 19, 2021

Patricia A. Fronk, 93, of Evansport, passed away on  May 19, 2021 at SLKD Healthcare Center in Perrysburg, Ohio. She was born on March 22, 1928 to the late Carl and Evelyn (Westrick) Mack in Defiance County, Ohio. On August 28, 1948 she married James A. Fronk, who preceded her in death on December 29, 1999.

Pat...

May 18, 2021

Joan Ritchie, 79, of Archbold, Ohio, formerly of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on February 9, 1942 to the late John and "Birdie" (Daniels) McCoy in Wheelwright, Kentucky.  On February 20, 1960 she married Michael Ritchie at St. John's Catholic Church. in Defiance.

Joan...

May 18, 2021

Roy "Mac" MacDonald, 68, of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday morning, May 18, 2021 at Mercy Defiance Hospital. He was born on August 25, 1952 to Lester and Joyce (Daugherty) MacDonald in Bedford, Indiana. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Marine Corp. for twenty years. On December 29, 1982  he married Janice (Collins) MacDonald, who survives.

May 14, 2021

Ruben Gomez, 86, of Defiance, passed away on Friday, May 14, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on January 24, 1935 to Luis and Sidelia (Espinosa) Gomez in Mancos, Colorado. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1961. On December 12, 1959 he married Rose (Myers) Gomez,...

May 13, 2021

Richard A. Bussing Sr., age 89 of Defiance, passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on June 1, 1931 to the late George and Marguerite (Steel) Bussing in Defiance, Ohio. On August 6, 1952 he married Clarella (Hoover) Bussing, who preceded him in death on May 1, 1985. Richard proudly served...

May 12, 2021

James A. "Jim" Walpole, 85, of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance. He was born on November 21, 1935 to the late Clyde and Jewell (Sutton) Walpole in Kennett, Missouri.  On August 17, 1957 he married Marilyn (Minck) Walpole, who resides in Defiance.

Jim was a member of  St. Mary...

May 11, 2021

Christopher S. Hoover, 46, of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital, with his loved ones by his side. He was born on July 21, 1974 to George and Helen Sue (Humbert) Hoover in Anaheim, California. On September 26, 1998  he married Mandy (Ussery) Hoover, who survives. Chris was a member of Defiance Church...

May 11, 2021

Jeffery Leroy Bell III, 72, of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born on April 6, 1949 to Jeffery and Phebe (Penn) Bell in Searcy, Arkansas. On August 18, 1993 he married Nila (Calloway) Bell, who survives.

Jeff was a former member of St. Mary...

May 10, 2021

Jeffrey L. Davis, 52, of Defiance, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021 from injuries sustained in a tractor-trailer accident in Mansfield, Ohio. He was born on February 27, 1969 to Larry and Kathy (Gleason) Davis in Defiance, Ohio. On October 29, 1988 he married Jennifer (Whatman) Davis, who resides in Defiance.

Jeff was a member of...

May 9, 2021

Johnnie L. Fidler, 63, of Defiance, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Defiance, Ohio. He was born on September 3, 1957 to the late John Robert and Betty (Grimm) Fidler. Johnnie was a triplet with his sisters Bonnie and Connie. Johnnie loved to go the Independence Dam with his...