Obituaries

Nov 28, 2025

Carol Lynn (Vandersommen) Springer, 70, of Van Wert, peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus surrounded by her family, at 12:40 p.m. on November 28, 2025, at the Defiance Hospice Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born in Akron, Ohio to the late Al and Dorothy Vandersommen on May 13, 1955. She grew up the youngest of four...

Nov 25, 2025

Josephine B. Delgado, 82,of Ohio City passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, November 26, 2025, at her home.

She was born on October 4, 1943, in Mexico City, Mexico, to the late Jacob V. Delgado, Sr. and Virginia M. (Perez) Delgado. She was also preceded in death by her companion, Charles Rice

Family survivors include...

Nov 23, 2025

Marcile Pontsler, age 85, of Jefferson, Georgia who entered rest Sunday, November 23, 2025. Mrs. Pontsler was born in Van Wert County, Ohio the daughter of the late Eugene Clifford Clouse and the late Ruth Alice (Mongold) Pontsler Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Craig Pontsler.

Mrs. Pontsler was...

Nov 21, 2025

Lewis C. Girardot, 88, of Convoy passed away Friday morning, November 21, 2025, at his daughter's home in Van Wert.

He was born on November 9, 1937, in Zulu, Indiana the son of the late Clifford Clement Girardot and Laura Marie (Davis) Girardot.  On August 25, 1962, he married DiAnna Mae (Joseph) Girardot and she preceded him...

Nov 18, 2025

Ruth E. Frysinger, 99, of Van Wert, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

She was born on August 1, 1926, in Mercer County, Ohio, to the late Denver Emerson Pond and Mary P. (Baucher) Pond. On June 23, 1944, she married the love of her life, Jack Lee...

Nov 16, 2025

Donna Louise (Slane) Smith, 91, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 16th, 2025. She had been a resident of Van Wert Manor since October of 2024.

Donna was born on September 23rd, 1934, in Van Wert County to the late Lillian (Foley) and Lester Slane. She graduated from Convoy in 1952. Donna loved...

Nov 15, 2025

Hugh Edward "Eddie" Jones, a man deeply devoted to his family, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 15th, 2025 at the young age of 56.

Eddie was born on October 27th, 1969, in Van Wert, Ohio to Hugh W. and Darlene (Baker) Jones. For 37 years, Eddie was a dedicated employee at Danfoss (formerly Aeroquip/Eaton) and will...

Nov 14, 2025

Kathy Jo Keysor, 70, of Van Wert passed away Friday morning, November 14, 2025, at the Ohio State-Wexner Medical Center of Columbus, Ohio.

She was born on March 24, 1955, in Wabash, Indiana, the daughter of the late Willard Jean Glassburn and Helen Delores (Hahn) Glassburn. On April 5, 1975, she married Gary D. Keysor and he...

Nov 13, 2025

Phyllis Elaine Dougal, 97, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2025 at her residence in Van Wert.

Phyllis was born on May 26, 1928 in Van Wert. She was the daughter of the late Irvin Eugene Friedly and Pearl Zada (Vian) Friedly. Phyllis married Paul G. Dougal on May 23, 1947 and he preceded her in death on...

Nov 7, 2025

Nancy Lee Tripp, 78, formerly Decatur, Indiana passed away Friday evening, November 7, 2025, at Vancrest of Van Wert.

She was born on April 4, 1947, in Janesville, Wisconsin the daughter of the late Ralph and Ruth (Glaser) Isackson. She was married to Robert Tripp who also preceded her in death on September 8, 2015.

...

Nov 4, 2025

Janet Marie (Walls) Merkle was born on November 20, 1935, in Mercer County, Ohio the daughter of the late Ernest Everett Walls and Osie Berenice (Brown) Walls and passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Van Wert County Hospital. Janet married the love of her life Harold Leon Merkle on January 12, 1958 at the Ohio City...

Oct 25, 2025

Donald Eugene Evans, 88, of Van Wert passed away Saturday morning, October 25, 2025, at the Homestead Assisted Living of Van Wert.

He was born on March 12, 1937, in Jackson Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, the son of the late William J. Evans and Maude E. (Thatcher) Evans.

Donald is survived by his four...

Oct 14, 2025

Rebecca M. Markham 70, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at Vancrest Nursing Home of Van Wert, Ohio.

Becky, as most of her friends called her, was born on September 7,1955 in Ottumwa, Iowa. She was daughter of the late Melvin Henry Johnson and Helen K (Swope) Johnson. She also had a close relationship with her grandparents....

Oct 13, 2025

Carolyn Jane (Cotner) Fast, 91, died peacefully on Oct. 13, 2025, at the Hearth & Home assisted-living community, surrounded by her beloved children and their spouses. Carolyn was born in Van Wert on Jan. 21, 1934, as the only child of the late Wilbur and Edna (Runser) Cotner.

Carolyn was a 1952 graduate of Van Wert High...

Oct 9, 2025

Robert E. Stemen, 93, of Van Wert died Thursday afternoon, October 9, 2025, at Vancrest of Van Wert.

He was born on August 6, 1932, in Van Wert the son of the late Ernest Edward Stemen and Ilo Pearl (Shivley) Stemen. On May 16, 1932, he married Jane Ann (Stemen) who also survives of Van Wert.

Sep 24, 2025

Gaylee Eckhart, 85 of Convoy passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at VanCrest Nursing Home of Van Wert.

She was born on January 29, 1940 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Howalee "Sonny" Bush and Blanch June (Hughes) Bush.

Gaylee graduated from Edinburg High School in Indiana in 1959, then she graduated from Elkhart...

Sep 13, 2025

Joyce E. Baer, 90 years old, passed away on the evening of Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Vancrest of Van Wert surrounded by her loving family. Joyce was born on October 31, 1934, in Dayton, Ohio to Joseph and Myrtle (Cotterman) Strick, both of whom are deceased. On October 8, 1955, she married Paul H. Baer who also preceded...

Sep 13, 2025

Antonia Alvarez, 81, bid farewell to this world and was reunited with her loving husband in heaven on September 13th, 2025. She was born on March 13th, 1944 to Jose and Antonia Torrez in Ropesville, Texas. She married her husband, John, on March 23rd, 1962. Together they welcomed two children, Lisa Alvarez and Amy (Adam) Ellis. They were lovingly...

Sep 12, 2025

Cody Matthew Motycka, 33 of Van Wert died Friday morning, September 12, 2025, as a result of a two vehicle accident on the Van Wert-Paulding County Line.

Cody was born on November 9, 1991, in Van Wert the son of Nichole Ann Galyk of Van Wert and Matthew Charles (Nicole) Motycka of Willshire. On January 14, 2025,...

Sep 5, 2025

Dennis E. Ries, 74, of Venedocia, passed away Friday evening, September 5, 2025, at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He was born on February 9, 1951, in Van Wert the son of the late Paul Edward and Rita Belle (Stahl) Ries. On August 13, 1983, he married the former Marilyn Rhoades who survives.

Other...