Obituaries

Florence Wells Leiter

Apr 22, 2019

Florence Wells Leiter, 95, formerly of Van Wert, Ohio passed away Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Cedars, Leo, Indiana.

Florence was born in Somerdale, Ohio on Dec. 8, 1923, a daughter of the late Lloyd & Louise (Eschmann) Rader.

During World War II Florence worked at Timken Roller Bearing Factory. Most of her working working life she was a...

Averill Louise Gottke

Apr 6, 2019

Averill Louise Gottke, 85, of Paulding, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.

Averill was born in Washingtonville, Ohio on May 7, 1933, a daughter of the late Mary (Krautner) and Emmett  Longbottom.

She retired at the age of 78 from the deli department at Chief Supermarket. She also worked at the License Bureau & the...

Ronald Van Atta, Jr.

Apr 6, 2019

Ronald Van Atta, Jr. 52 of Indianapolis passed away Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Eskanazi Health. 

Ron was born in Indianapolis on March 26, 1967.

He leaves behind his son, Austin Van Atta; father & step-mother, Ronald, Sr & Mary Van Atta; siblings, Denise Reeb, Brad Lucas, Amanda Perkins, Lisa Bragg, Andy Nelms and AJ Krick 

He was preceded in death...

Virginia Lee Heitkamp

Apr 1, 2019

Virginia Lee Heitkamp, 80, formerly of Payne passed away Monday, April 1, 2019 at Signature Healthcare. 

Virginia was born in Celina on April 17, 1938, a daughter of the late Marcella (Buschor) and William  Barth.

Virginia was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She worked at Golden Years Homestead, Meijer and McDonald's.

She will be sadly missed by her children,...

Michael R. Seslar

Apr 1, 2019

Michael R. Seslar, 75, of Antwerp, passed away Monday, April 1, 2019 at Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.

Mike was born on May 17, 1943, a son of the late Alberta (Brown) Zimmerman and Raymond Seslar.

He was a devoted husband, father and member of the First Presbyterian Church and was a dedicated employee at BF Goodrich.

Mike will be sadly...

Danny Lee Howell

Mar 27, 2019

Danny Lee Howell, 73, Antwerp, Ohio died at 2:17 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at Parkview Hospital in Ft. Wayne, Indiana due to injuries sustained in a car accident on March 26.

He was born January 9, 1946, in Wabash, Indiana, to Charles (Charley) and Wilma (Forbes) Howell. On July 30, 1967, he married the love of his life, Karen...

Fran Rhoad

Mar 27, 2019

Francis Lee Rhoad, 76, of Cecil, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at Laurels of Defiance.

Fran was born in Defiance on July 19, 1942, a son of the late Helen Pearl (Huss) and Kenneth D. Rhoad.

He was a dedicated employee at Dana Weatherhead for 44 years but always made time for his family, coon hunting, fishing and softball.

...

Greg E Donnell

Mar 16, 2019

Greg E. Donnell, 56 of Fort Wayne passed away at home on March 16, 2019.

He was born on June 19, 1962 in Hicksville.

He was a 1980 graduate of Antwerp High School and worked at Enterprise Rental Car.

Greg will be sadly missed by his father, Jim; son, Greg Bell; brother, Scott; nieces & nephew, Kelli (Pat) Sidey, Haylee...

Rex Lichty

Mar 15, 2019

Rex Lichty, 65 of Antwerp passed away Friday, March 15, 2019 at Lutheran Hospital.

Rex was born in Paulding on Jan. 1, 1954 a son of the late Myron "Bud" & Betty (Hill) Lichty.

He worked at Dotco which became Cooper's in Hicksville. He loved to care for his vegetable garden but always took the time to relax with his...

Steve Flores

Mar 5, 2019

Steven L. Flores, 54, of Payne, passed away at home Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Steve was born in Paulding on November 21, 1964.

He had worked at Sims in Payne and enjoyed cutting firewood with his friends, squirrel hunting and riding his motorcycle.

He will be sadly missed by his mother, Shirley (Surface) and siblings, Randall (Chris) & Brenda. 

He...

Robert Harrmann

Mar 3, 2019

Robert Harrmann, 75 of Antwerp passed away Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Parkview Regional Medical Center.

Bob was born in Hickville a son of the late Henry & Catherine (Dunderman) Harrmann.

He was the brother of the the late Harry; uncle of Kyle (Jillian), Laural & Nicole and brother-in-law of Deb Stevenson.

Services will be private.

Fond memories may be shared...

Patricia Morgan

Feb 24, 2019

Patricia Morgan, 75  passed away Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the Gardens of Paulding.

Patricia was born in Indianapolis on July 19, 1943 a daughter of the late John & Lottie (Mehaffey) Eastwood.

She was the owner of the Country Chicken/City Hen Restaurant and was a library assistant for the Brown County, Indiana Library.

She leaves behind her children, Al...

William "Bill" Wetli

Feb 10, 2019

William F. Wetli, 86 of Antwerp passed away at home on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019.

Bill was born in Payne on Jan 12, 1933 a son of the late Addie (Cromley) &  Charles Wetli.

Bill always enjoyed being a dedicated farmer, avid golfer, wintering in Florida, serving in the Army Reserves and on the Antwerp Equity Exchange & Antwerp Local...

Keith Cromley

Feb 5, 2019

Keith L. Cromley, formerly of Antwerp passed away February 5, 2019 in Sun City West, Arizona.

Keith was born Oct. 7, 1950, a son of the late Lawrence L. & Helen (Schmunk) Cromley.

He was a 1968 graduate of Antwerp High School.

Keith will be sadly missed by his siblings, Barry (Wendy) Cromley, Vicki (Calvin) Keokuk, Dixie (Patrick, Sr.) Vail...

Doris A. Reinhart

Feb 3, 2019

Doris A. Reinhart, 80, of Antwerp, passed away at home on Sunday, February 3, 2019.

Doris was born in Monroeville, IN on July 18, 1938 a daughter of the late Earl & Bertha (Emenhiser) Gerardot.

She enjoyed her days working at Dana Weatherhead and operating the Ice Cream Depot with her husband.

Doris will be sadly missed by her husband, Ken,...

Jack E. Starbuck

Jan 31, 2019

Jack E. Starbuck, 69, of Hicksville passed away Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019 at Community Memorial Hospital.

Jack was born April 23, 1949 in Marion, IN a son of the late Edward & Ruby (Sims) Starbuck.

He worked at Bohn Aluminum in Butler and was proud of the time he served in the Navy and as a Boy Scout leader.

Jack...

Betty Ann Crosby

Jan 23, 2019

Betty Ann Crosby, 76, of Payne, Ohio passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

She was born August 17, 1942 in Van Wert, Ohio to the late Harry Sr. and Betty Alice (Willit) McKeddie.  Betty was a spirited child who loved to drive go-karts and was voted ‘best athlete’ in high school.

Betty graduated...

Anna H. Leaman

Jan 13, 2019

Anna H. Leaman, 86  of Antwerp, passed away Sunday Jan. 13, 2019, at Hickory Creek at Hicksville.

She was born in Broughton on July 18, 1932, daughter to the late Alexander and Anna (Feffer) Lekka. 

At age 15 Anna studied accordion at Trick-Bro Accordion Institute of Toledo, for five years.  She played at various places around Toledo and also over...

Ilean R. Lanzer

Jan 13, 2019

Ilean R, Lanzer, 88, of Antwerp, passed away Sunday, January 13, 2019 at Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.

Ilean was born in New Haven, Indiana on March 11, 1930, a daughter of the late Lula C. (Robinson) and Lemuel V. Fulmer.

She worked at Rae Magnet Wire, worked in nursing at Paulding County Hospital, Fountain Manor & in home health care...

Ted Stallbaum, Sr.

Jan 12, 2019

Theodore "Ted" Ray Stallbaum, Sr., 71, of Paulding, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.

Ted was born in Decatur, IN on August 9, 1947 a son of the late Ray & Thais Ruth (Bryan) Stallbaum.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietman War, where he received the Purple Heart...