Natalie A. Campbell
Jun 29, 2026
Natalie Ann Campbell, 63, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 29, 2026, in Van Wert, Ohio, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on December 29, 1962, in Warren, Pennsylvania, to the late Archie Kenneth Campbell and Arletta Jean Campbell (Hoovler).
Natalie was the youngest of six children and was preceded in death by her...
John G. Shaffer
Jun 27, 2026
John Garner Shaffer, 82, passed away Saturday morning, June 27, 2026, at his residence in Van Wert.
He was born on March 28, 1944, in Converse, Ohio the son of the late Loyal Vaughn Shaffer and Elsie Mae (Bryan) Shaffer. On March 20, 1965, he married the former Bonnie Jean Rickard who survives.
Also surviving is a son, Jason Garner Shaffer of...
Merritt E. Beech
Jun 25, 2026
Merritt E. Beech, 68, of Scott passed away Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Stillwater Hospice Center of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Merritt was born to the late Harold and Betty (Myers) Beech January 21, 1958, in Van Wert. Surviving Merritt are his brother Mark (Tracy) Beech of Scott; his niece and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents,...
Daniel K. Cramer
Jun 24, 2026
With sadness and love we share the news of Daniel (Dan) Keith Cramer’s passing on June 24, 2026. Dan died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was born on January 28, 1955, to Keith Edward Cramer and June Shirley (Marsh) Cramer. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 48 years, Onna. Dan is survived by his son,...
Marie A. Runyon
Jun 23, 2026
Marie Ann Runyon, 78, of Van Wert, Ohio peacefully went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, while surrounded by her family.
Marie was born on March 23, 1948, in Van Wert County, Ohio to late Charles Kenneth Mongold, Sr. and Helen E. (Girod) Mongold. On January 28, 1969, she married the love of her life Calvin H....
Walter W. Rhodes
Jun 21, 2026
Walter “Wally” Rhodes, 86, of Huntertown, Indiana and formerly of Ohio City, Ohio passed away Sunday afternoon, June 21, 2026, at his home.
He was born on November 19, 1939, in Van Wert, Ohio to the late Paul Profit Rhodes and Lenore Mae (Rice) Rhodes. On August 23, 1980, he married Cheryl Ann (Leonard) Rhodes in Northbrook, Illinois who survives in...
Sandra L. Cooper
Jun 14, 2026
Sandra Lou Cooper, 75, of Van Wert, Ohio passed away Sunday morning, June 14, 2026, at Homestead of Van Wert.
She was born on August 21, 1950, in Van Wert County, Ohio to the late Max Leroy Dull and Alice Mae (Hughes) Dull. Sandra married Neal Donald Cooper in 1976 and he pass away on September 25, 1976.
Sandra is survived by...
Roger D. Youtsey
Jun 14, 2026
Roger D. Youtsey, 88, of rural Ohio City passed away Sunday morning June 14, 2026 surrounded by his family following a brief illness.
He was born on July 31, 1937, in Van Wert the son of Hanklin and Velmah (Vance) Youtsey. On September 4, 1964, he married the former Suzanne (Spray) Youtsey who survives. Also surviving is one son, Rodney Youtsey...
Paul D. Ross
Jun 13, 2026
Paul D. Ross, 79, of Convoy, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
He was born on May 16, 1947 in Decatur, Indiana the son of the late Lee Ross and Beatrice Lulu (Krugh) Ross. On September 11, 1971, Paul married Emma P. (Lautzenheiser) Ross who pass away on January 10, 2012
Paul is survived...
Louise C. Showalter
Jun 10, 2026
Louise C. Showalter, 96, of Ohio City passed away Wednesday evening, June 10, 2026, at Hearth & Home in Van Wert.
She was born at home on November 21, 1929, in rural Pleasant Township, the daughter of the late George Hofmann and Edna (Dietrich) Hofmann. On November 4, 1950, she married Byron Wayne Showalter, who preceded her in death on January...
Jacklyn M. Norris
Jun 5, 2026
Jacklyn M. Norris, 61, of Van Wert, passed away Friday evening, June 5, 2026, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
She was born on August 11, 1964 in Ypsilanti, Michigan to the late Robert Lawrence Perino and Barbara Helene (Kachinosky) Perino. On August 24, 1984, she married Daniel T. Norris and he survives of Van Wert.
Other family survivors our their children, Nicholas D....
Marjorie K. Eschbach
Jun 3, 2026
Marjorie “Marge” Kathyrn Wheeler Eschbach, 100, of Van Wert passed away peaceful on June 3rd, 2026.
She was born October 9, 1925, in Oceanside, San Diego, California the daughter of Scott Walter Wheeler and Bessie M. Potter Wheeler.
In addition to her parents, Marge was preceded in death by her brothers, Walter, Marcella, and Charles; and her sisters, Florence, Ona, Melissa and...
Dorcas G. Merkle
Jun 2, 2026
Dorcas G. Merkle, 88 of Ohio City passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at her home surrounded by family.
She was born on February 10, 1938, the daughter of the late Paul W. Troyer and Luella (Hooley) Troyer. She was married on March 10, 2001, to John Merkle who survives.
Dorcas was a member of Calvary Evangelical Church where she was...
Deborah J. Reish
May 25, 2026
Deborah Jean Reish, 75, of Van Wert, passed away Monday evening at the Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing Home of Shane Hill in Rockford, Ohio.
She was born on July 14, 1950, in Celina, Ohio, the daughter of Malone H. Compson and Evenelle (Hare) Compson.
Deborah is survived by her three daughters, Amy (Rob) Morris of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Ashley Reish (Matt Stephens)...
Clair A. Dudgeon
May 22, 2026
Clair A. Dudgeon, 88, a lifelong resident of Van Wert County, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family on Friday, May 22, 2026. Born June 28, 1937, and raised in Glenmore, Ohio, Clair grew up rooted in the values of family, faith, and hard work—principles that guided him throughout his life.
He was the son of Voyle R. and...
Robert G. Mefferd
May 20, 2026
Robert Gene Mefferd, 87, of Van Wert, Ohio passed away Wednesday morning, May 20, 2026 at The Van Wert Manor.
He was born on March 28, 1939 in Convoy, Ohio to William Frank and Bertha (Adams) Mefferd. Robert married Eunice Rafert on December 16, 1961.
Bob grew up on a farm in Convoy, Ohio. He graduated from Crestview High School in 1957....
David L. Coon
May 19, 2026
David L. Coon, 77, of Van Wert passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on August 21, 1948, in Springfield, Ohio, the son of Otis Junior Coon and Elizabeth Jean “Betty” (McGrew) Tribolet.
David is survived by a sister, Judy (Dennis) Murray of Frankfort, Michigan.
He was a 1967 graduate of Van Wert High School and a...
Everett M. Farmer
May 17, 2026
Everett Marshall Farmer, 62, of Van Wert, passed away at his home on Sunday, May 17, 2026, surrounded by loved ones after an extended battle with esophageal cancer.
Everett was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Marshall Farmer and Nancy Jean (Raabe) Farmer. He leaves behind his daughter, Ashley “Nicole” (Andrew) Ross, and his granddaughters, Evelyn and McKenzie Ross. He...
George Brett Gardner
May 12, 2026
George Brett Gardner, 64 of Van Wert passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Defiance CHP Hospice Center after a very brief illness of leukemia.
He was born February 23, 1962, the son of George Sanford "Sandy" Gardner who preceded him in death on August 30, 1988. He was married on July 28, 2002, to Marlene (Marty Lehman) Gardner.
He...
Gerald L. Breece
May 6, 2026
Gerald L. Breece, 90, of Van Wert passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 6, 2026.
He was born February 10, 1936, to the late Bertha (Snyder) Breece and Frank Breece. He married the love of his life the former Evelyn J. Cowgill on March 12, 1960.
Survivors include his wife Evelyn J. Breece; four children, Teresa (Aaron)...
