Obituaries

Mar 26, 2018

Geraldine “Gerri” Houck age 96, of Holgate, died early Monday morning, March 26, 2018 in her daughter’s home surrounded by her entire family.

Her Legacy… She was born July 1, 1921 to Henry and Odelia Bensman in Miller City.  On August 27, 1949 she married John E. Houck.  She was a nurse’s aide...

Mar 11, 2018

Laura Carol Kestner age 59, died Sunday morning, March 11, 2018 in her Grelton home.

Her Legacy… She was born December 16, 1958 to John Schindler and Martha Vaughn in Napoleon.  On February 13, 1980 she married Thomas Kestner.  Laura was a loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, and sister.  She was employed with...

Feb 24, 2018

Shirley Anne Walker age 89, of Napoleon died Saturday, February 24 at Northcrest Rehab and Nursing Center.  Service will be in Iowa.

Feb 22, 2018

Dennis W. Baden age 76, died Thursday morning, February 22, 2018 in his Hamler home.

His Legacy… He was born September 16, 1941, to Walter and Dorothy (Benien) Baden. Denny graduated from Hamler High School in 1959. In 1963 he joined the Ohio Air National Guard and went to...

Feb 9, 2018

Bruce Alfred Rettig age 84, of Holgate, died Friday morning, February 9, 2018 at the CHP Defiance In-patient Hospice Center.

His Legacy… He was born May 29, 1933 in Holgate to Alfred and Helen (Bernicke) Rettig.  Bruce graduated from Florida High School and then served in the United States Army.  He farmed with...

Feb 2, 2018

Rodolfo “Rudy” S. Casillas 82 of Holgate, Ohio passed away peacefully at home as he entered heaven’s gates, surrounded by angels and lifted to the light of his God.  Rudy put up a brave fight with his battle with cancer.Rudy was born August 25, 1935 in Woodward, TX, son of the late Enedelia Sobrevillo Casillas and Jose Casillas.  Rudy...

Jan 18, 2018

Lois Phillips age 82, of Holgate, died Thursday night at Vancrest of Holgate. The family will have services at a later date.

Jan 15, 2018

Eugene Ray Rothman age 69, of Holgate died Monday morning, January 15, 2018 at the Toledo Hospital.

His Legacy… Gene was born October 4, 1948 to Claude and Ruth (Winnow) Rothman in Defiance.  He graduated from Holgate High School in 1967.  He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Holgate and the...

Jan 11, 2018

Fermin Bentancur age 92, of Holgate, died Thursday morning at the Mercy Defiance Hospital.

His Legacy… He was born September 24, 1925 to Francisco and Patricia (Garza) Bentancur in Wharton, TX.  On November 20, 1952 he married Janie Bryant.  Fermin was a laborer for 30 years at the GM plant in Defiance.

Jan 7, 2018

Local music legend Denny "Dude" McDonald, of Holgate, passed away in his home Sunday, January 7, 2018.

Denny was born July 10, 1951, to Richard McDonald and Doris (McDonald) Wagner of Defiance. Denny leaves behind his life love, Renee LaMarche McDonald; a beloved daughter, Michelle Lee McDonald; a stepson, Andrew LaMarche; two grandsons, Wesley Michael Wenner and...

Dec 28, 2017

Edwin Michaelis age 97, of Holgate and formerly of Hamler passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, December 28, 2017 at Mercy Defiance Hospital.

His Legacy… He was born October 3, 1920 to August and Adelia (Bremer) Michaelis.  Edwin served in the United States Army Airforce.  On July 19, 1951, he married R. Charlene...

Dec 12, 2017

Juan Medina, Jr. age 71, of Holgate, died December 12, 2017 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo.

His Legacy… Juan was born October 24, 1946   to Juan and Porfiria (Aguilar) Medina Sr.  On November 19, 2011 he married Cheryl Warnimont Beck in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Holgate were he became a member. ...

Nov 9, 2017

Dorothy Alice (Stout) Gallagher passed away surrounded by family at the Henry County Hospital, Thursday night, November 9, 2017 from metastatic cancer.

Her Legacy… Dorothy Alice was born at home July 1, 1926 to Anna and Charles James Stout.  She graduated from Napoleon High School and she was married to James Gallagher also...

Nov 6, 2017

William L. Muncy age 64, of Hamler, died Monday evening, November 6, 2017 at the Henry County Hospital, Napoleon.

His Legacy… William was born June 5, 1953, the son of Elmer and Emogene (Moore) Muncy in Coeburn, Virginia. William graduated from Napoleon High School and attended Campbellsville College in Campbellsville, Kentucky. On January...

Nov 4, 2017

Edna L. Giesige, age 97, of Holgate passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 4, 2017 surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on April 25, 1920 outside of North Creek in Putnam County, the daughter of Albert and Monica (Roof) Okuley.  She attended Foltz Elementary School and Miller City High School.  She often shared fond memories of growing...

Oct 31, 2017

Debra Ann Torres age 64, of San Antonio, TX, died in Defiance while visiting her son.

Her Legacy... She was born May 30, 1953 the daughter of Arturo M. and Lily G. (Garszes) Urdiales in San Antonio  TX.  She graduated from Holgate High School. Debra was a homemaker and devoted military wife for...

Oct 26, 2017

Tommie Earl “Spider” Spires age 65, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, October 26, 2017 in his Holgate home.

His Legacy… Tommie was born April 19, 1952 the son of Ted Earl and Mary Ellen (Smith) Spires in Mason, WV. He graduated from Ayersville high School in 1970 and joined the National Guard.  Tommie...

Oct 10, 2017

Today our family lost a very special person.  She was a mother, grandmother, wife, and great friend.  She was part tom-boy from growing up with three brothers and part lady because of her mother’s influence on her life.  She loved campfire and hot dog roasts, the sound of birds singing and frogs croaking.  She enjoyed Mother Nature and scenic...

Oct 10, 2017

Valerie Anne (Swary) Risen age 43, of Salem, IN and formerly Holgate, died Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at CHP Defiance In-patient Hospice Center after a  battle with cancer.

Her Legacy… She was born January 13, 1974 to Al and Lynn Swary in Napoleon.  Valerie graduated from Holgate High School in 1992 and attended...

Sep 25, 2017

Alverda Marie Mansfield age 90, of Holgate, died Monday, September 25, 2017 at CHP Defiance In-Patient Hospice Center.

Her Legacy… She was born May 1, 1927 in Holgate to Ernest and Elnora (Koppenhofer) Cohrs.  She graduated from Holgate High School in 1945.  She married Perry Mansfield, Jr. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Flatrock...