All Obituaries

Helen G. Gorman, age 92, of Van Wert died at Vancrest Healthcare Center Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 5:40 PM.  Private Family Services were held Friday, January 10, 2020 at Brickner Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating.  Burial followed in Ridge Cemetery.  Memorials to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Margaret M. "Maggie" Pontius, 82, of Van Wert, died at 4:25 PM Wednesday, December 25, 2019, at Van Wert ER shortly after arrival.  She was born Dec. 10, 1937, in Plainfield, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Frank C. and Williamina (Leeds) Scott, Sr.  On June 7,1955, she married William I. "Bill" Pontius and he preceded her in death April 6, 2007. She is survived by her children: William I. Pontius, Jr of Van Wert- Margaret Dian Collins of Linden,...

Thelma Louise Walls, 94, formerly of Van Wert, died at 6:49 PM Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at the Laurels of Shane Hill surrounded by her loving family.  She was born March 25, 1925, in Ridge Twp., to the late Charles and Mary (Herminghuysen) Stegaman.  On April 20, 1946, she married George W. Walls who preceded her in death on June 16, 1990. She is survived by her daughters Patricia "Pattie" Puckett of Muleshoe, TX and Sandra "Sandy" (Larry) Hirschy of...

Betty Jane Rhodes, 90, of Van Wert, died Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 5:04 PM at her residence.  She was born September 30, 1929 in York Township, Van Wert, the daughter of  Marion H. and Mildred (Williams) Reidenbach.  Her husband, Bob Rhodes, preceded her in death December 2, 2008. She is survived by her children:  Robert (Brenda) Rhodes of Marysville, Ohio, Roger (Teresa) Rhodes of Fort Wayne, IN, Randy Rhodes of Van Wert, Ronda (Dana) Pollock of Van Wert-...

Barbara Ann Fulk, 56, of Van Wert died at 3:31 AM Sunday, November 10, 2019 at her residence.  She was born May 10, 1963 a daughter of Harold and Jeanette (Burris) Waltmire.  Her father is deceased and her mother survives.  She married Michael L. Fulk on May 15, 1989 who survives. Also surviving are step-children:  Jenny Lou Rosalez, Jonathon M. Fulk, and Janelle M. Banister and 7 grandchildren.  She is also survived by brothers and sisters, Steve Waltmire, Myrna...

Colin E. Keipper, age 57, died at 8:32 AM Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Ft. Wayne, IN.  He was born May 8, 1962 in Munich, Germany the son of Robert V. and Martha (Schilling) Keipper.  His mother survives in Van Wert.  On October 10, 1987 he married Gladys Peters and she survives in Van Wert. He is also survived by his children:  Amber, Robert (Grace), and Erica Keipper all of Van Wert- grandchild, August Cinninger of Van Wert, -...

Rumaldo Chavarria, Jr. age 84, of Van Wert died at 6:18 PM Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at Van Wert Manor surrounded by his loving family.  He was born March 28, 1935 in Torrington, Wyoming, to the late Manuela(DeLeon) and Rumaldo Chavarria, Sr.  On November 17, 1951 he married Thelma (Ortega)Chavarria, the love of his life and she preceded him in death July, 7, 2013. He is survived by his children:  Mary (Ron) Eix of Van Wert-  Michael (Pam) Chavarria of Van...

Dorothy R. Benner, age 89, of Van Wert, passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Hearth And Home in Van Wert. She was born December 8, 1929, in Towamencin Township, PA.  Dorothy was the daughter of the late Melvin C. Brandis and the late Luella (Reed) Brandis.  She married Webster B. Benner, Jr. on March 1, 1947 in Worcester, Pennsylvania and he preceded her in death on March 30, 2018. She is survived by her four daughters, Ellen (George) Huey of Zionsville, PA, Barbara...

Joe R. Allen, 80, of Paulding died Wednesday, September 11, 2019 in Paulding, Ohio.  He was born May 19, 1939 in Van Wert, the son of Raymond Arthur and Vera (Edwards) Allen, both of whom are deceased.  He was married to Martha Lou Albright who died in 1981.   He is survived by a son, Scott Allen of New Haven, IN and cousins.   Joe graduated from Van Wert High School in 1957 and then attended and graduated from Bowling Green State University.  In his...

Harold D. Kreischer, 85, of Van Wert, died at 9:00 AM Friday, August 30, 2019 at Van Wert Manor Nursing Home.  He was born December 8, 1933 in Van Wert County a son of Lawrence and Edith (McClure) Kreischer, both of whom are deceased.  His wife Cheryl L. (Wells) Kreischer survives him.  He is survived by his daughters, Bonnie Thatcher and Sue Harting, a son, Jeff Kreischer, his grandchildren; Bryn Nicole Thatcher, Brock Thatcher, Clint Harting and Cole (Katie)...