Obituaries

Dec 4, 2019

Larry V. Schafer, 78, of Defiance, passed away early Wednesday morning, December 4, 2019 at his home in Defiance, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 14, 1941 to Vincent and Mildred (Beemer) Schafer in Continental, Ohio. On October 6, 1962 he married Ruth (Steffel) Schafer, who resides in Defiance.

Larry was a faithful...

Dec 3, 2019

Naomi G. Link, 86, of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday morning, December 3, 2019 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Defiance. She was born on August 22, 1933 to Jesse and Mary (Barnes) Gorrell in Paulding County, Ohio. On November 7, 1950 she married Donald A. Link, who preceded her in death in 1983. Naomi was a member of the...

Dec 2, 2019

Michael J. Relyea, age 62 of Defiance, passed away on Monday evening,  December 2, 2019 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. He was born on February 18, 1957 to Glenn and Norma (Burkhart) Relyea in Defiance. Michael was a 1976 graduate of Defiance High School. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Defiance....

Nov 27, 2019

Mary Eleanor (Hauter) Singer passed peacefully in her sleep at Brookview Nursing Center in Defiance on Wednesday, November  27, 2019, where she was faithfully attended by Linda, Tina, and many others including the caring professionals of Great Lakes Hospice. She was born May 19, 1929 at Six Corners in Hicksville, Ohio to James and Margaret Hauter, the youngest of...

Nov 24, 2019

Laurie A. Grennay, age 58 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019 at the Toledo Hospital. She was born on August 7, 1961 to the late Richard and Betty (Murphy) Rockey in Defiance, Ohio. On February 14, 1986 she married Jean-Paul Grennay, who resides in Defiance. Laurie worked for several years as a manager for McDonald's. She...

Nov 23, 2019

Orville F. Smith, 87, of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at his home in Defiance. He was born on February 10, 1932 to Karl and Bertha (Slough) Smith in Defiance, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Ohio State University. Orville served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 until his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy...

Nov 23, 2019

Mary Ann Kosier, 90, of  Ridgeville Corners, OH passed away on, Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the Northcrest Rehab and Nursing in Napoleon, OH.. She was born on May 6, 1929 to Frank and Mary (Schindler) Miller in Defiance, OH.  In 1960 she married Darold Kosier who preceded her in death in 1986. Mary was a member of St....

Nov 22, 2019

Michael E Larson, 71, of Defiance, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2019 at the Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on November 16, 1948 to Charles Wold and Edna McFarland in Crookston, Minnesota .  Michael worked for GM Powertrain in Defiance, retiring in 2006. On November 13, 1994, he married Judy Carpenter who survives...

Nov 21, 2019

Diane M. Keasler, 64, of Defiance, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at her home in Defiance, surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on April 11, 1955 to her biological parents, Harold and Charlotte (Schwinnen) Phipps in Van Wert, Ohio. At the age of 13, she was adopted by Richard and Eva (Mitchell) Hiser. Diane...

Nov 17, 2019

LaMar Jay Leininger, age 76 of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. He was born on May 7, 1943 to Mary (Miller) and Herbert Leininger, Sr. in Fulton County. On August 18, 1962 he married Rita (Mast) Leininger, who resides in Defiance. Jay was a truck driver, and he worked at Johns Manville...

Nov 16, 2019

Steven F. "Hollywood" Kraegel, age 66 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday evening, November 16, 2019 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on February 25, 1953 to Herman and Kathleen (Stevens) Kraegel in Wauseon, Ohio. Known as "Hollywood" by his family and friends, he worked at Campbell's Soup Company in Napoleon, and most recently at Heinze Foods...

Nov 15, 2019

William O. "Bill" Rassenfoss, age 90 of Waterville, Ohio, formerly of Defiance, passed away on Friday evening, November 15, 2019 at Story Point Senior Living Center in Waterville, Ohio. He was born on December 29, 1928 to George and Ruth (Chambers) Rassenfoss in Louisville, Kentucky. Bill proudly served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Nov 13, 2019

On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, Richard "Dick" Beebe, 89, of Ocala, loving father of four children, passed away at his home in Ocala, Florida, at the age of 89.

Dick was born on November 24, 1929 in Defiance, Ohio to Cleo and Wilma Beebe. He was employed at Defiance Fruit Company in Defiance from 1948 to 1951....

Nov 13, 2019

Wanda Burnetta "Red" Rankin, August 3,1923 - November 13, 2019

Wanda was an amazing woman who touched many lives throughout her ninety-six years. She is survived by her son, Roger Rankin; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Daryl) DeMoss, Elliot Rankin and great-grandchildren, Isabella DeMoss, Jacob DeMoss and Bennett Taylor.

Wanda was born in Flint, Michigan to parents Flora...

Nov 13, 2019

Frederick T. Thompson, age 56 of Defiance, passed away on November 13, 2019 at his home in Defiance. He was born on October 1, 1963 to Craig and Anita (Blum) Thompson in Toledo, Ohio. He attended Four County School and was a 1981 graduate of Ayersville High School. Fred proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1982...

Nov 13, 2019

Darwin F. Beck, age 87 of Ridgeville Corners, passed away on Wednesday morning, November 13, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on February 25, 1932 to John and Helen (Clemens) Beck in Henry County. He was a 1950 graduate of Ridgeville High School. Darwin proudly served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps during...

Nov 9, 2019

Max E. Cleaves, age 67 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at his residence in Defiance.

He was born on August 16, 1952 to Ralph and Patricia (Brecht) Cleaves in Defiance, Ohio. Max was a graduate of Ayersville High School. On March 31, 1972 he married  Judith (Lime) Cleaves, who preceded him in death...

Nov 9, 2019

Barbara E. Gray, age 65 of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. She was born on September 28, 1954 to Merlin and Marjorie (Baker) Buyer in Wauseon, Ohio. On May 9, 1975 she married Rick Gray, who resides in Defiance.

Barb was a member of Defiance Family Christian...

Nov 4, 2019

Carol N. Baldridge, age 84 of Defiance, passed away early Monday morning,  November 4, 2019 at the University of Toledo Medical Center. She was born on June 22, 1935 to Winston and Alta (Coleman) Dales in Vansant, Virginia. On September 6, 1952 she married Wilmer N. Baldridge, who preceded her in death on October 21, 2009.

Carol...

Nov 2, 2019

Walter J. Mast, 88, of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, November  2, 2019 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on May 31, 1931 to Willard and Rachel  (Schwab) Mast in Toledo, Ohio. Walter graduated from Defiance High School in 1949.  In 1953 he received a Bachelor of Science Degree from The Ohio State University, and in 1957...