Obituaries

Nov 1, 2020

James W. Gillis, 90, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at Glenn Park of  Defiance. He was born on May 4, 1930 to Raymond and Irene (Casey) Gillis in Detroit, Michigan. He attended school at Southeastern High School, he left high school early and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division from 1948-1952. Jim...

Oct 31, 2020

Arlene K. Kline, aka "Kootchie", age 72 of Cecil, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at her residence. She was born on November 28, 1947 to Charles and Ann (Arnold) Barnette in Norton, Virginia. On February 7, 1990 she married Jerry Kline, who survives in Cecil, OH. Arlene loved to cook, go camping and hiking, and was...

Oct 31, 2020

Maxine L. Ort, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at The Laurels of Defiance. She was born on February 24, 1934 to Clyde and Mabel (Wolf) Rudy in Toledo, Ohio. In 1956 she married Paul  C. Ort, who resides in Defiance. Maxine was a faithful member of Pleasant Bend United Methodist Church, and The...

Oct 28, 2020

Onita Bussing, age 77, of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at ProMedica Defiance Hospital. She was born on April 4, 1943 to the late Burl and Dorothy (Wimberley) Lawson in Hartville, Missouri. On July 7, 1962 she married James Bussing, who survives in Defiance. Onita was a faithful member of First Assembly of God. She enjoyed...

Oct 27, 2020

William Robert Winterhalter, born August 4, 1927, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 in Plain City, Ohio.

Bill was born in Defiance, Ohio and was raised on a farm near Cecil, Ohio. In August, 1948 he married Ramona Jean Price. They raised four children:  Deborah Bush of Defiance, Cheryl Hamilton of Plain City, Vickie Hancock of...

Oct 26, 2020

Trevor L. Saylor, age 35 of Paulding, Ohio, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on November 10, 1984 to Brian and Beverly (Scott) Saylor in Bryan, Ohio. Trevor worked for Haviland Drainage Products in Haviland, Ohio. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Grover...

Oct 25, 2020

Mary Lou  Osborn, age 90, of Defiance, Ohio passed away Sunday,  October 25, 2020 due to COVID-19. She was born on August 16, 1930 to Albert and Hazel (Balser) Greutman in Sherwood, Ohio. She was a member of St Mary Catholic Church and the Eagles.  Mary Lou enjoyed playing tickets and the slot machines at the Eagles.  She loved...

Oct 24, 2020

Lewis R. Johnston, 91, of Defiance, passed away on  October 24, 2020 at the CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance, Ohio with his wife of almost 70 years by his side. He was born on August 9, 1929 to Arthur and Katie (Sines) Johnston in North Creek, Ohio.  On October 27, 1950 he married Mary Ann  (Demland)...

Oct 22, 2020

Mary Alice Moats, 97, of Defiance, passed away on Thursday morning, October 22, 2020 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 15, 1923 to Albert and Clara (Stork) Memmer in Defiance, Ohio.

Mary spent her first eight years of school at Saint John Lutheran Parochial School and graduated...

Oct 17, 2020

Patricia Lee Pollock Deniston, age 68 passed away peacefully on October 17, 2020 at Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance, Ohio. Before her recent move to Madison, Ohio, Patricia (Pat) resided in Charlotte, NC and Defiance, Ohio.

Known for her positivity, infectious smile and generous spirit, Pat loved being with her friends and family and celebrating...

Oct 16, 2020

Nanette Sue Fisk, age 67 of Defiance, passed away on Friday evening, October 16, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on December 7, 1952 to the late John and Dolores "Jake" (Mekus) Batt in Defiance, Ohio. Nan was a 1971 graduate of Tinora High School. On September 8, 1972 she married Chuck...

Oct 11, 2020

Frances H. "Mike" Vandemark, age 96 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at her home in Defiance. She was born on July 20, 1924 to Lester and Ruth (Stevenson) Schaffer in Defiance, Ohio. She was a 1942 graduate of Defiance High School. On June 12, 1944 she married Harold G. Vandemark, who preceded her in death...

Oct 10, 2020

On Saturday, October 10, Jeffrey R. Lightle, 56, loving husband to Pam and devoted father to Matthew and Sarah, entered his heavenly home that he constantly prepared for and so richly deserved. Selfless service defined Jeff's life.

As a 30-year employee and IT manager with Aeroquip/Eaton Corp., Jeff cared deeply for everyone with whom he worked and...

Oct 9, 2020

Keith D. Mansfield, 86, of Defiance, passed away early Friday morning, October 9, 2020 at The Laurels of Defiance, with his loving family by his side. He was born on November 27, 1933 to the late Donald and Marjorie (Richard) Mansfield in Defiance County, Ohio. On June 9, 1957 he married Natalie Ladd. Keith graduated from Ayersville High School...

Oct 8, 2020

Frank Melchor, 71, of Defiance, went to be with The Lord and Jesus on Thursday, October 8, 2020 after a brave fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Napoleon, raised in Hamler, and was a 1967 graduate of Hamler High School. He attended The Ohio State University majoring in Foreign language. He started working at General Motors in...

Oct 7, 2020

On Wednesday, 10/7/2020, Viviane L. Bush passed away of cancer at the age of 60. Viviane was born in Defiance, OH on January 2nd, 1960 to Darris Hamm and Paulette Hamm. She graduated Defiance High School in 1978 and received a Bachelors of Science - Elementary Education and Art Education from Defiance College. She is survived by two children,...

Oct 6, 2020

Thelma M. Frost, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio.

She was born on March 9, 1934 to Oscar and Inez (VanVlerah) Schomburg in Defiance, Ohio. Thelma was married to James J. Richardson, James "Rus" Barbee, and Henry "Dick" Frost, who have all preceded...

Oct 5, 2020

Joan F. Bauer, age 82, a longtime resident of Defiance, passed away on Monday evening, October 5, 2020 at Vancrest of Payne. Before her recent move to Payne, she had resided for the past five years at County Inn Enhanced Living in Paulding, Ohio.

Joan loved laughing, playing practical jokes, fishing at the lake, glitter, and spending...

Oct 4, 2020

Gerald E. Zimmerman, 81, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born on March 20, 1939 to Cisco and Sylvia Marie (Downing) Zimmerman-Mapes in Morenci, Michigan. Gerald graduated from high school in 1957, and the very next day he enlisted with the U.S. Army.  He served three tours...

Oct 4, 2020

Ronald J. Steel, age 64 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on December 26, 1955 to the late Leo "Bud" and Marjorie (Groh) Steel in Defiance, Ohio. Ron proudly served our country in the U.S. Army stationed in Korea. On July 4, 1987 he married Marilyn (Ankney) Steel,...