Obituaries can be e-mailed to editor@thevwindependent.com or faxed to 419-238-2578. Full obituaries cost $30 (including a photo), while unpaid death notices do not include memberships, work data and other personal information. The names of grandchildren, etc., are also not included in a death notice. Obituary payments can be sent to: Van Wert Independent, 9070 Mendon Road, Van Wert, OH 45891. Local funeral homes are billed for full obituaries, while out-of-town funeral homes can also be billed, if so requested.
POSTED: 12/28/10 at 3:42 pm. FILED UNDER: Info
Velma B. Geisman, 97, of Van Wert, died at 10:27 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2013, at her residence.
Velma B. Geisman
She was born December 31, 1915, in Mercer County, the daughter of Erastus Marion and Corabelle (Anderson) Jenkins. On May 4, 1940, she married Raymond L. “Hap” Geisman, who preceded her in death on June 17, 2010.
Mrs. Geisman was a homemaker and former house parent at The Marsh Foundation in Van Wert. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Van Wert and a former member of the YWCA Board of Directors.
Survivors include three children, Karen (Rob) Miller, Pat (Roger) Neate and Nancy (Ed) Hurd, all of Van Wert; four sisters, Betty Lewis of Van Wert, Helen Eberle of Ottoville, Josephine “Jody” Tindall of Frankfort, Ind., and Alberta (Harold) Welker of Marietta; and seven grandchildren, Lisa Watz, Angela Myers, Rob T. Miller, Brent Neate, Michelle McCleery, Vernon Hurd and Dawn Hurd.
A son, Raymond Lynn Geisman; six brothers, Albert Anderson and Leo, Robert, Russel, Roger and Carroll Jenkins; and two sisters, Jessie Jenkins and Florine Ruskaup, also preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Josh Tissot officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial: Wesley United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 05/18/13 at 10:19 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Loella “Lu” Patsiavos, 73, of Van Wert, died at noon Friday, May 17, 2013, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Loella "Lu" Patsiavos
She was born April 29, 1940, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Lewis and Faith (Hittle) Rogers. On February 17, 1977, she married Perry Patsiavos, who survives in Van Wert.
Other survivors include three children, Nicole (Mike) Nocilla of Canton, Ga., Tina (Paul) Vergilis of Cumming, Ga., and Pete (Melissa) Patsiavos of Hudsonville, Mich.; a brother, Charles Rogers of Van Wert; a sister, Carrol (Gary) Davis of Van Wert; and six grandchildren, Melina Vergilis, Nicholas, Analise and Olivia Patsiavos and Kelsey and Kyla Nocilla.
Two brothers, John and Jim Rogers, also preceded her in death.
She retired after 35 years at Van Wert County Hospital as Intensive Care Unit supervisor. She was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Wayne.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, May 20, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial: Icon Fund of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Wayne.
Online condolences may be sent to www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 05/17/13 at 10:53 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Walter “Walt” Harris, 89, of Van Wert, died at 2:55 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2013, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
Walter "Walt" Harris
He was born July 3, 1923, in Continental, the son of the late Orrin C. and Marguerite (Shisler) Harris. On April 5, 1947, he married Eileen (Shepherd) Harris, who preceded him in death.
Survivors include two children, Charles A. (Nina) Harris of Mount Victory and Paul E. (Susan) Harris of Union Springs, N.Y.; a brother, Richard Harris of Continental; two sisters, Helen Williams of Oakwood and Shirley Hoelrich of Holgate; and a granddaughter, Kristin (fiancé Brian Evans) Harris.
Mr. Harris retired after years as a claims supervisor at Central Mutual Insurance Company in Van Wert. He was also a former Van Wert County school teacher and coach for 12 years.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert and a past president of the church’s men’s group, a life member of American Legion Post 178, a life member of Elks Lodge 1197, a life member of the Ohio State University Alumni Association, a life member of the Indiana University Alumni Association, a highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Army who served during World War II, a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a life member of the 17th Airborne Division Association, a former Van Wert Lions Club member, a former Boy Scout officer, a member of the Central Mutual Quarter Century Club, a member of the Lima Run ‘N’ Jog Club, a member of the Van Wert YMCA, a past president of the Lima Adjusters Association and a life member of the Van Wert County Historical Society.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.
There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Walter & Eileen Harris Scholarship Fund, through The Van Wert County Foundation.
Online condolences may be sent to www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 05/17/13 at 3:25 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Stephen Papp, 96, of Payne, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at the Gardens of Paulding.
Stephen Papp
He was born November 9, 1916, in Port Huron, Mich., the son of the late Andrew and Sophia (Peto) Papp. On June 30, 1951, he married Loraine M. (Von Behren) Papp, who survives.
Mr. Papp was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps and served during World War II. He retired in 1976 from International Harvester in Fort Wayne, Ind., after 30 years of service. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 587 and American Legion Post 297.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Charles S. (Marjorie) Papp of Van Wert and LaRue Papp of Indianapolis, Ind.; a daughter, Karyl (Gene) Leser of Fishers, Ind.; one sister, Martha Straka of Defiance; three grandchildren, Stephen C. Papp, and Nicholas and Nathaniel Leser; and a stepgrandson, Chris Sauer.
Two brothers, Julius and John Papp; and three sisters, Ida Overmeyer, Margaret Zavasky and Helen Isaacs, also preceded him in death.
Graveside memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at Wiltsie Cemetery in Payne.
Calling hours are from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Den Herder Funeral Home in Paulding.
Preferred memorials: Paulding EMS squad or the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online condolences may be sent to www.denherderfh.com.
POSTED: 05/16/13 at 9:53 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Charles W. “Chuck” Albright, formerly of Van Wert, died at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Tampa, Fla., on April 24, 2013.
He was born March 23, 1924, in Van Wert, the son of the late Charles and Alma (Good) Albright Sr. On February 10, 1946, in Chicago, Ill., he married Margaret “Peg” (McKeddie) Albright, who preceded him in death.
After school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in World War II in the Iwo Jima campaign. He received the Bronze Star medal for valor, as well as a Purple Heart.
Chuck owned Albright Construction Company and built many residential and commercial buildings in the Van Wert area. He was also a life member of Elks Lodge 1197, American Legion Post 178 and First Presbyterian Church, all in Van Wert.
Survivors include three sons, Robert (Linda) Albright of Defiance, Jim (Ute) Albright of Angola, Ind.; and William Albright of Oceola, Ind.; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Sylvia Denton; and three sisters-in-law, Lucille, Ruby and Pam Kaufman.
A son, Jack Albright; and two brothers, Carl and Gale Albright, also preceded him in death.
Arrangements were handled by Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance.
POSTED: 05/16/13 at 9:46 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
George F. Walker, 90, of rural Rockford, died at 10:09 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
He was born November 29, 1922, in West Plains, Mo., the son of the late David William and Georgia Gertrude (Davis) Walker. On June 20, 1943, in Salem, Ark., he married Edith Louise (Proffitt) Walker, who preceded him in death on April 27, 2010.
Survivors include three sons, Donald W. (Carolyn) Walker of Ohio City, Ronald E. (Shirley) Walker of Van Wert and Ron (Jean) Worline of Denver, Pa.; three daughters, Becky (Bradley) Scheidt of Van Wert and Debby Strickler and Connie Slagle, both of Ohio City; 16 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
A brother, D.L. Walker; and three sisters, Ellen Lee Collins, Annabelle Hendrickson and Rita Marie Walker, also preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Randy Bevington officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City, with graveside military rites performed by American Post 346 in Ohio City.
Calling hours are from 2-7 p.m. Friday, May 17, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials: Olive Branch Church of God, Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center or Ohio City EMS.
Online condolences may be sent to www.cowanfuneralhome.com.
POSTED: 05/14/13 at 11:23 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Donald E. Reichert, 61, of Van Wert, died at 7:10 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at his home.
He was born September 20, 1951, the son of the late Donald Hartman Sr. and Betty Spoor. On February 28, 1978, he married Patricia (Wilson) Reichert, who survives in Van Wert.
Other survivors include a son, Michael Reichert of Van Wert; four stepchildren, Tom Carter, Cindy Carter and Tammy Wilson, all of Lima, and Don Carter of Van Wert; one brother, Bob Hartman of Van Wert; one stepbrother, Chris Reichert of Van Wert; and eight grandchildren.
His adoptive parents, Adolf and Opal Reichert; and a sister, Vicky Hartman, also preceded him in death.
There will be no viewing or services.
Preferred memorials: To the family, to help with expenses.
Online condolences may be left at www.bricknerfuneralhome.com or emailed to bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.
POSTED: 05/09/13 at 9:15 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
John M. Evans, 89, of Van Wert, died at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
John M. Evans
He was born December 7, 1923, in Chase, Mich., the son of the late James R. and Nellie J. (Mohr) Evans. On April 11, 1947, he married Gwen M. (George) Evans, who preceded him in death on December 4, 2007.
Survivors include three children, John C. (Jeanette) Evans of Lima, Margaret (Doug) Snyder of Cincinnati and Jean L. (Evans) Graboski of Texas; a brother, William B. (Nancy) Evans of Van Wert; two sisters, Bertha (Von) Now of Massillon and Joann (Robert) Wilkins of New Knoxville; seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Rachael) Evans, Joshua (Jamie) Evans, Justin (Amanda) Evans, Sara (Joshua) Brittingham, Amanda Snyder, Derek Snyder and Ross Graboski; three stepchildren, Julia (Matthew) Clark, Jennifer (Eric) Garver and Jessica (David) Roller; and six great-grandchildren.
A brother, James D. Evans (killed in World War II); and two sisters, Nellie Kuhlman and Sabina Lodge, also preceded him in death.
Mr. Evans was a rural mail carrier in Venedocia and Delphos, worked at Federal-Mogul Corporation in Van Wert, farmed, and was a former York Township clerk. He was a member of Salem Presbyterian Church in Venedocia.
Mr. Evans served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from 1943-1946, in the European Theatre under General George H. Patton. He was in the 65 Infantry and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and various other medals and ribbons. He was a member of American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6772 in Spencerville and the local Disabled American Veterans Unit.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. John Marbaugh officiating. Burial will be in Venedocia Cemetery, with graveside military rites performed by the combined honors units of Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803, both of Van Wert.
Calling hours are from 2-7 p.m. Friday, May 10, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials: Salem Presbyterian Church Improvement Fund or the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, c/o Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891.
POSTED: 05/08/13 at 8:48 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Gale R. Compton, 86, of Van Wert, died at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
He was born October 7, 1926, in Haviland, the son of the late Roscoe and Ethel Irene (Reid) Compton. On April 14, 1945, he married Vernabel Louise (Murphy) Compton, who preceded him in death on February 4, 2008.
Other survivors include a daughter, Jacqueline Sherer of Van Wert; two sons, Randall (Patricia) Compton and Ronald (Eve) Compton, both of St. Marys; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A brother, Dale R. Compton; and one sister, Phyllis Compton, also preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Revs. Gus Christo-Baker and Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in rural Van Wert County, with graveside honors performed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Calling hours are from 2-6 p.m. Friday, May 10, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials: Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, c/o Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891.
Online condolences may be sent to www.cowanfuneralhome.com.
POSTED: 05/08/13 at 8:43 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Marilyn J. (Converse) Wortman, 75, of Van Wert, died at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
She was born February 6, 1938, in Lima, the daughter of the late Cloyd and Martha (Tillman) Converse. On March 6, 1966, she married Larry Duane Wortman, who preceded her in death on February 9, 2013.
Survivors include two sons, Richard L. Buggle of Charleston, S.C., and Jeffery (Julie) Buggle of Van Wert; two brothers, Larry Converse and Gary Converse; a sister, Rebecca (Dan Casey) Hauserman of Pandora; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Steve Savage officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are from noon-2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials: Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, c/o Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891.
Online condolences may be sent to www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 05/07/13 at 5:43 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
