Obituaries

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,...

Oct 2, 2020

Juanita  Ramon, 82, of Defiance, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2020 at Mercy Hospital of Defiance. She was born on July 3, 1938 in Port Lavaca, Texas to Antonio and Antolena (Lopez) Garza.  In 1959 she married Jesse Ramon who preceded her in death in 2000. Juanita was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, and worked at...

Sep 30, 2020

Francis K. Schwab, age 85 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on June 18, 1935 to Francis and Helen (Cordray) Schwab in Defiance, Ohio. Frank proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. He worked at General Motors in Defiance for over 51 years...

Sep 30, 2020

Michael Keith Baldridge, age 64 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. He was born on April 5, 1956 to the late Wilmer and Carol (Dales) Baldridge in Defiance, Ohio. On August 30, 2020 he married Kimberly (Miller) Baldridge, who resides in Defiance. Michael worked for over 25...

Sep 29, 2020

Cynthia C. Smith, age 73 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, with her loving family by her side. She was born on December 4, 1946 to Dewey and Norma "Jean" (Smith) Ordway in Defiance, Ohio. She enjoyed being outdoors, and watching horror movies. Her greatest love was spending time...

Sep 29, 2020

Betty K. Pullen, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 23, 1934 to Hendrix and Viola (McIntosh) Callahan in Wayland, Kentucky. She was a 1952 graduate of Wayland High School. On June 9, 1956 she married John Pullen, who resides in Defiance....

Sep 27, 2020

Dr. John A. Mitchell, age 82 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. He was born on May 7, 1938 to the late Eugene and Margurite (Barnett) Mitchell in Defiance, Ohio. On June 24, 1958 he married Vivian Ruth (Gallant) Mitchell, who preceded him in death on October...

Sep 27, 2020

Dr. John A. Mitchell, age 82 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. He was born on May 7, 1938 to the late Eugene and Margurite (Barnett) Mitchell in Defiance, Ohio. On June 24, 1958 he married Vivian Ruth (Gallant) Mitchell, who preceded him in death on October...

Sep 27, 2020

Norman J. Kunce, age 84 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at ProMedica Defiance Hospital. He was born on December 6, 1935 to Paul and Violet (Yoh) Kunce in Portland, Indiana. On June 2, 1956 he married Annabelle (Butcher) Kunce, who resides in Defiance. Norman was a member of Defiance Church of the Nazarene, and UAW...

Sep 27, 2020

Dorthy L. Appel, age 84 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at her home in Defiance, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 26, 1936 to Charles and Maude (Rose) Sanders in Defiance, Ohio. On July 19, 1958 she married Rodney L. Appel, who resides in Defiance.

Dorthy was a faithful...

Sep 25, 2020

Gretchen I. Davis, 91, of Defiance, passed away on  Friday, September 25, 2020 at VanCrest Healthcare Center of Holgate in Holgate, Ohio. She was born on March 16, 1929 to Richard and Irene (Hoeffel) Weidenhamer in Defiance, Ohio.  In 1948 Gretchen married Charles G. Bock, a WWII and Korea Conflict Veteran, and he preceded her in death in 1980. ...

Sep 23, 2020

Julie Ann Dunno, age 63 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday,  September 23, 2020 at Mercy Defiance Hospital. She was born on September 18, 1957 to the late John and Ivaloo (Steingass) Dunno in Defiance, Ohio. Julie Ann was a member of Poplar Ridge Church of the Brethren. She graduated from Good Samaritan School and worked at Quadco Rehabilitation...

Sep 21, 2020

Paul P. Roth, age 93, of Ayersville, Ohio went "Home" to God peacefully on September 21, 2020, surrounded by his family at the CHP Defiance Area Hospice Inpatient Center where he had been a patient for over a week.

Paul dedicated his life to his family, his Christian faith and life long occupation of farming.  He was...