Obituaries

Jan 19, 2021

Jeffery S. Burnett, age 58 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday evening, January 19, 2021 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on June 27, 1962 to James and Jeannette (Purdy) Burnett in Lima, Ohio. Jeff was a 1982 graduate of Defiance High School, and he attended Wright State University. He enjoyed volunteering at The Laurels and at...

Jan 18, 2021

Catherine L. Farber, age 45 of Defiance, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021 at The Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on February 18, 1975 in Toledo, Ohio. Shortly after, she was adopted by Michael and Karon (Mack) Farber. Cathy was a 1994 graduate of Tinora High School, and was on the track team. She...

Jan 18, 2021

Mary D. English-Decker, age 66 of Defiance, passed away at her home, surrounded by her loving family on Monday morning, January 18, 2021, after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer. She was born on January 10, 1955 to Harold and Bernita (Conklin) Grime in Napoleon, Ohio. On January 15, 1977 she married Dennis E. English Sr., who passed away...

Jan 16, 2021

James R. "Jim" Wolff, age 74 of Ney, Ohio, passed away on Saturday evening, January 16, 2021 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital. He was born on August 31, 1946 to the late Earl and Florence (Moore) Wolff in Defiance, Ohio. Jim was a 1964 graduate of Defiance High School. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy from...

Jan 13, 2021

Frederick D. Fitzenrider, age 81, of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday evening, January 13, 2021 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on March 5, 1939 to the late Vernie and Enid (Lehman) Fitzenrider in Defiance, Ohio. On March 18, 1967 he married Sharon (Lee) Fitzenrider, who survives. Fred was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and...

Jan 11, 2021

Josephine "Lee" Liska passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital. She was born March 19, 1949 to the late Edmond "Bud" and Beulah Liska.

Lee was a farm girl at heart and loved her many cats. She acted and believed she was the boss at Liska Farms. Lee had a great sense...

Jan 10, 2021

Randall R. Ward, age 65 of Defiance, surrounded by his loving family went home to be with his Lord and Savior, January 10th, 2021 at Toledo Hospital.  He was born on February 5th, 1955 to the late Robert and June Ward.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather (Poppy), brother, friend, employee, coach,  avid hunter and gun dog trainer. ...

Jan 9, 2021

Karen L. Heilshorn, age 79 of Oakwood, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. She was born on December 20, 1941 to George and Mabel (Relyea) Bodenburg in Defiance, Ohio. Karen was a  1960 graduate of Defiance High School. In 1966 she married Richard Upton, who preceded her in...

Jan 8, 2021

On Friday January 8, 2020, Raul Sanchez, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, passed away after 59 fulfilling years.

He was the youngest of six children, born March 13, 1961 to Miguel and Elevinia Sanchez in Bluffton, Ohio. Raul made a career at General Motors where he worked as a Millwright for 26 years. His...

Jan 7, 2021

Anne C. Steyer, 79 of Defiance, Ohio passed away Thursday January 7, 2021 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital after a short battle with COVID. Born on August 25, 1941, in Fostoria, OH, Anne was the oldest of 3 children born to Albert and Kentha (Ewing) Thomas. On her birthday in 1962 she married Joseph P. Steyer who died on...

Jan 6, 2021

Daniel J. Hauser, 60, of Bryan, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Indiana University Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, IN. He was born on March 8, 1960 to Roger and Patricia (Fraizer) Hauser in Defiance, OH. Daniel worked as a Fabricator for Richland Machine Co. in Montpelier OH.  He enjoyed fishing and working on cars, especially muscle cars, and...

Jan 5, 2021

Lawrence L. "Sid" Houck, age 92 of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday evening, January 5, 2021 at his home in Napoleon. He was born on November 18, 1928 to John and Agnes (Schwab) Houck in Defiance, Ohio. Sid was a 1947 graduate of Holgate High School. On June 4, 1953 he married the love of his life, Marilyn...

Jan 3, 2021

James J. Wilson, age 40 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021 unexpectedly at his home in Defiance. He was born on June 18, 1980 to Marvin and Robin (Wilmoth) Wilson in Toledo, Ohio. James was a 1998 graduate of Anthony Wayne High School, and a 2007 graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. On June 10,...

Jan 3, 2021

Paula Valle, age 77 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at The Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. She was born in Robstown, Texas on September 3, 1943 to the late Vilcent and Eufemia (Quintana) Salinas. On August 26, 1963 she married Rodolfo G. Valle, who survives. Paula was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in...

Jan 2, 2021

Betty J. Reed, age 80 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. She was born on March 27, 1940 to Leroy and Ruth (Trim) Nihiser in Defiance, Ohio. Betty was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. She worked for many years at St. Michael's Golf Course, Defiance...

Jan 2, 2021

David W. Engel, age 79 of Holgate, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at his daughter's home in Indiana. He was born on January 8, 1941 to the late Forrest and Margaret (Riley) Engel in Defiance, Ohio. Dave was a 1959 graduate of Florida High School. Dave proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1960-1963...

Dec 31, 2020

Gloria Ann Hostettler, age 76 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at her home in Defiance.

She was born on December 20, 1944 to William and Frieda (Bostater) Emerling in Defiance, Ohio. Gloria worked for ITT Higbie in Archbold until her retirement in 2007. Gloria enjoyed the outdoors, spending time with her family...

Dec 30, 2020

Lorraine  M. Beattie, age 88 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday evening, December 30, 2020 at The Laurels of Defiance. She was born on April 21, 1932 to Quentin and Ursula (Gebhard) Miller in Williams County, Ohio. Lorraine was a 1951 graduate of Edgerton High School. On August 9, 1952 she married Norman L. Beattie, who survives.

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Dec 28, 2020

Pamela Ann Tressler, age 63 of Defiance, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 at Defiance Mercy Hospital. She was born on October 1, 1957 to Kenneth and Naomi (Clark) Tressler in Defiance, Ohio. Pam was a graduate of Good Samaritan School. She worked at Maumee Valley Vending for over 20 years. She was a member of AmVets #1991...

Dec 28, 2020

Thomas Eugene Keller, 87, the founder of Thomas E. Keller Trucking, passed away on December 28, 2020.  Tom was born on December 20, 1933 at the tail end of the depression, which certainly influenced his life.  Tom, the oldest of 8 children, was a hard worker who became a serial entrepreneur. Tom spent his boyhood on the family farm...