All Obituaries

John E. Richardson, 87, of Van Wert, passed away at 11 a.m., Wednesday at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing at Shane Hill, Rockford. He was born on February 12, 1934, in Flint, Michigan, the son of the late Bernard and Helen Any (Kearns) Richardson. On May 29, 1954, he married the former Peggy Louise Myers who preceded him in death on February 8, 2008. On November 8, 2008, he married Mary Jane Perry who also preceded him in death on February 24, 2019. Family survivors include his two sons,...

Robert L. Stemen, 86, loving husband, father, son, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, lost his battle with cancer on February 15, 2021, surrounded by his family at home in Van Wert. He was born on November 23, 1934, in Van Wert the son of the late Louise I. (Knodel) Stemen and Gaylord E. Stemen. On November 27, 1955 he married the love of his life of 60 years, the former Dorothy L. (Johnson) Stemen who preceded him in death on April 20, 2016. He was also preceded in death by a...

George W. Dumm of Van Wert died in hospice care in Defiance, Ohio after a long battle with COPD on February 15, 2021. George was born on December 16, 1929, in Lima, Ohio to Chester and Della Dumm who have preceded him in death. On June 16, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Suydam, sharing over 70 years together during which time they had a son and daughter. George retired from AEP Ohio Power in 1991 after 42 years of service. George was any Army veteran serving in...

Dorothy Joanne Marbaugh, 91, passed away at 6:45 p.m., Saturday, February 13, 2021, at Shane Hill Rehabilitation And Nursing Center near Rockford. She was born on December 26, 1929, in Van Wert the daughter of the late Tschannen Franklin and Irma Genevieve (Baltzell) Marbaugh. Family survivors include two nieces, Mary Ellen Mann of Arlington, Virginia and Ruth Ann Smith of Newark, Ohio; and two cousins, Charity High and Kim Harter. Joanne was preceded in death by her sister, Louise Smith;...

Stephanie Renee Etzler, 39, of Van Wert passed away Monday morning shortly after arrival at Van Wert Health. She was born on January 11, 1982, in Van Wert the daughter of the late Denise (Barnes) Russell. On July 7, 2001, she married Daniel H. Etzler who survives. Other family members include her two sons, Eric and Ethan; her brother, Brian (Randi) Barnes and their two children, Rhiana and Gavin; mother-in-law, Marilyn Etzler of Van Wert; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Stephanie...

Gary Max Smith “Butch”, loving Father, Son, Brother, Grandfather, and Friend has returned home to the loving arms of his mother and company of good friends past. He is survived by his father Max, sister Sam, brother Bill, beautiful daughters Misty and Shawn, son Lucas, grandkids Tyler, Miranda, Kyla, Lux and Avery, as well as many other loved ones. He was a proud veteran of the Army, perennial father of the year and best friend to many. He was always there when you needed him....

Robert D. Moody, 85, of Ohio City went to be with his Lord Tuesday evening at Van Wert Health. He was born on January 18, 1936, in Rockford the son of the late William Earl and Leona Minnie (Kroghman) Moody. On March 12, 1955, he married the former Nancy Bea “Nan” Moody who preceded him in death on December 15, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his fiancé, Shirley Ann Edwards, a brother, Harold Moody, and a sister, D’Meria Jean Stover. Family survivors include...

Margery Lillian. Sheldon, 89, of Van Wert, passed away at 12:57 p.m., Monday, January 25, 2021 at the Van Wert Manor Nursing Home. She was born on May 18, 1931, in Hamburg, New York, the daughter of the late Floyd Sanford Schutts and Madaline Eleanor (Smith) Schutts, she married Joseph M. Sheldon on August 12, 1967. Margery had taught in New Jersey for a while before marry Joseph and then moved to Van Wert were she taught at Lincolnvew Local Schools. In her earlier years she was a Naval...

Dick Ray Kirkendall, age 88, died Saturday, January 23, 2021 at his home in Van Wert. Dick was born on September 13, 1932, in North Baltimore to Ray and Wilma Kirkendall who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Larry (Ginny), Don (Ann) and Lynn (Sue) Kirkendall. Dick loved and cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Joanne (Orthwein) Kirkendall; four children, Dean, John (Montserrat), Keith and Annette (Brian) Sandrock; and six...

James “Jim” Gilliland went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Hilliard Memory Care.  He fought a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.  Jim was born May 21, 1938, the son of the late Dale and Golda (Kanney) Gilliland of Van Wert. He graduated from Van Wert High School in 1956 and attended Case Western Reserve University and International Business College. On June 28, 1958 he married Barbara Watson, they were blessed to share 62...