Obituaries can be emailed to editor@thevwindependent.com. The Van Wert independent no longer accepts no-cost death notices. As of October 1, 2023, the cost of full obituaries will be $95 (including a photo). Local funeral homes are billed for full obituaries, while out-of-town funeral homes can also be billed, if so requested. Obituaries submitted by individuals must be paid in full prior to publication. The Van Wert independent accepts credit cards by telephone from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday at 419.238.1220.
POSTED: 12/28/10 at 3:42 pm. FILED UNDER: Info
Deborah Joanne (Jewell) Leiter, affectionately known as Deb, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born on January 24, 1953, she was the daughter of Carol (Wolfcale) and Ernest Jewell, who both preceded her in death. Deb married the love of her life, Jerry B. Leiter, on April 8, 1978, and together they shared 48 years of unwavering devotion, building a life filled with love, partnership, and cherished memories. Jerry will forever hold Deb close in his heart and lovingly cherish her memory.
To know Deb was to know exactly where you stood. She was a fighter who laid down the law and didn’t mess around – it was “her way or the highway,” and her family respected and loved her for it.
Beneath that protective, no-nonsense exterior was a heart completely devoted to her family; as proven from day one when she became the bonus parent to Jerry’s four children, Stacie M. (Bob) Lippi, Michele L. (Bill) Bird, Lisa R. Dunn, and Jeremy B. Leiter, who will all miss her dearly. Some of her happiest moments were spent camping with her grandchildren and having the rare, beautiful privilege of watching them raise children of their own. She was a beloved grandmother to 10 grandchildren, Danielle L. (Nate) Myers, Brittany M. (Jake) Sherman, Christian G.A. Stickney, Heather L. (Desmond) Frost, Angel M. (Ryan) Masters, Tyler D. Dunn, Jasni Gardner, Jordon B. (Nikki) Leiter, Josh M. (Kershin) Leiter, and Joel Leiter, as well as a beautiful generation of great-grandchildren. Deb also leaves behind her sisters, Penny (Jewell) Roberts and Joette Jewell, as well as several nieces and nephews with whom she always enjoyed spending time.
Deb found joy in life’s simple pleasures – tending to her plants and flowers, crafting, getting lost in a good book, and watching reality crime shows that always gave her a good laugh. She also had a caring heart and a deep love for helping others.
Long before facing her own illness, Deb touched many lives through her work at several restaurants in Van Wert. She later devoted herself to caring for the elderly, working for many years at Lincolnway Nursing Home before becoming a home health aide, where her compassion and kindness continued to make a difference in the lives of others.
She was reunited in faith with those who preceded her in death: her parents, Carol and Ernest; her grandson, Tyler D. Dunn; her brothers, Delbert E. Jewell, Donald E. Jewell, and Clyde A. Jewell; her brother-in-law, Clark B. Roberts and her sister, Cynthia A. (Jewell) Kline.
There will be a celebration of life held at her home at a later date.
Online condolences may be shared at www.alspachgearhart.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home and Crematory, Van Wert.
POSTED: 05/22/26 at 3:15 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Robert Gene Mefferd, 87, of Van Wert, passed away Wednesday morning, May 20, 2026, at The Van Wert Manor.
He was born on March 28, 1939, in Convoy to William Frank and Bertha (Adams) Mefferd. Robert married Eunice Rafert on December 16, 1961.
Bob grew up on a farm in Convoy. He graduated from Crestview High School in 1957. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1958, serving as a dental technician in Nebraska and Goose Bay Labrador, attaining the rank of Airman First Class before returning to the family farm in 1966.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bertha (Adams) Mefferd, his sister, Diana (Mefferd) Rogers, and his in-laws, Wilfred and Johanna (Kohlmeier Rafert) Buuck.
He is survived by his wife, Eunice Mefferd of Van Wert; son Mark (Melissa) Mefferd; son David (Tina) Mefferd; daughter Amy (Bob) Gingerich; daughter Christine (Tom) Struckmeyer; 15 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at Redeemer Lutheran Church south of Convoy. Family and friends will be received from 8-10 a.m. prior to the service.
Preferred memorials: CHP Home Care and Hospice, Redeemer Lutheran Church, or the donor’s choice.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cowan & Son Funeral Home of Van Wert.
POSTED: 05/21/26 at 11:57 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Shirley Ann Short, 88, of Van Wert, died at 2:40pm on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.
She was born March 30, 1938, in Dayton, Ohio, to Herbert and Lonie (McGuire) Wilson. She married Ralph L. Short.
Shirley was a receptionist at R.T.A. in Dayton for many years.
She was a member of Wesley Church in Van Wert. Shirley enjoyed crafts, reading, playing cards and wintering in Florida. She also enjoyed vacationing and camping with Ralph for many years and spending time on her family farm in Adams County, Ohio.
Shirley is survived by 2 children, Tina Day of Convoy and George “Joey” (Kathy) Wilson Jr. of Dayton; four grandchildren, Brittany (Derek) Horner, Julian Leslie (Erin) Norwood, Jeffery Haws and Jennifer Haws; two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Bryce Horner, and a sister, Linda Chapman of Miamisburg, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; a brother, George Leslie Wilson Sr., and two sisters, Charlotte Gebhart and Barbara Carder.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. Burial will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at Trissel Cemetery, New Lebanon, Ohio. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials: a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 05/20/26 at 3:15 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Patricia A. “Pat” (Lyons) Roberts, 82, of Van Wert, passed away Monday evening, May 18, 2026, at Vancrest of Van Wert.
She was born on January 10, 1944, in Decatur, Indiana, to Herbert D. and Edith (Pancake) Lyons.
Pat attended the Jennings Road Church of Christ in Van Wert. She was a dog lover and cherished all her grandchildren.
Pat is survived by her son, Gregory A. Roberts and his wife, Johnna; three grandchildren, Britni (Heather) Roberts, Kaitlin (Alex) Adam and Joshua (Dustin) Roberts; three step-grandchildren, Kendall (Nick) Germann, Jarrett (Mayleen) Dye and Ryleigh (Nick Radabaugh) Dye; a great-grandchild, Luna Adam; six step-great-grandchildren, Mackena, Jaxon, Elise and Lydia Germann and Violet and Harper Dye, and three brothers, Lester Lyons of Convoy, Leroy (Laura) Lyons of Ohio City and Kerry (Sharon) Lyons of West Liberty.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, with Pastor David Ray, officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Kings Bethel Cemetery, Harrison Township. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Van Wert County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 05/19/26 at 2:51 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Curtis D. Proffitt, 87, of Van Wert, passed away at 5:19 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on September 4, 1938, in Spencerville, to Glenn and Lela (Bowen) Proffitt. He married the former Carol Sanderson.
Curt was a salesman at Van Wert Auto Supply for 36 years. He retired from Kennedy Manufacturing, in Van Wert, after six years of service.
He attended the First United Brethren in Christ Church in Van Wert.
Curt is a member of the Van Wert Mens Bowling Hall of Fame and served as a Past President of the Van Wert Mens Bowling Association. He enjoyed bowling, riding his motorcycle, hunting, fishing and sports.
Curt is survived by his wife, Carol Proffitt of Van Wert; a daughter, Theresa (Terry) Baker of Van Wert; a son, Michael (Barbara) Proffitt of Leawood, Kansas; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Cary (Ellen) Proffitt of Van Wert.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Lana Drewyore and Winona M. Proffitt, who died in infancy.
Visitation will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. Friday, May 22, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Brethren in Christ Church or CHP Hospice.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.
Services have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert.
POSTED: 05/18/26 at 3:35 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Denise Eugenia Foster peacefully passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
Denise was born November 25, 1975, the daughter of Dennis (Jill) Foster and Brenda (Dave) Richey.
Denise or “Neece” as she was affectionately called, grew up in and around Van Wert. She embraced the outdoors and developed a life-long love of animals. She rescued and adopted many animals. Her favorite job involved working at the Saam farm, spending time outdoors and working with the horses, a donkey and a goat. She lived in Ohio with her sister, Patty but often referred to Tennessee as her “home.” Inheriting the “Foster Ingenuity” she became a “Jack of all trades” watching her dad build and fix everything. Many times, calling him to ask for advice on projects. She was a very hard worker and extremely creative, handy with tools, woodworking, building furniture pieces and drawing.
Unconventional, Neece chose her own adventures, living life in her own independent way. She traveled a lot in her younger years state to state. A highlight was going to a Willie Nelson concert, and she loved Dolly Parton and the oldies. She was extremely witty with her wise cracks and one liners. She brought joy to so many people. She was blessed with an incredibly sharp mind and could recall childhood memories and retell stories from many years ago.
Denise made a huge impact wherever she went. Her small acts of kindness did not go unnoticed. She was sensitive to those around her, always willing to help. She had a soft spot for the elderly. Denise was brought up in the ways of the Lord. She was pursued by God and He was always there for her. Denise’s family are eternally grateful for His mercy and amazing grace and know at the end of her life she had an encounter with God and made things right with the Lord and this brings peace to their hearts. Luke 15:3-7 He left the 99 to pursue the 1. To bring them back to Himself. “Rejoice I have found my sheep which was lost.”
She is survived by her parents Dennis and Jill Foster of Sevierville, Tennessee, and Brenda and Dave Richey of Van Wert; a sister, Patty Foster of Van Wert, and brothers Caleb (Rachel), Jamie (Tiffany) Foster, and Jeremiah (Madeline) Foster all of Tennessee. She had many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and her dogs, Jerry Reid, Little Mama, Dupree and Mr. Charlie.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Wayne and Evelyn Foster, Fay and Patty Palmer, and Lisle and Virginia Strable.
Preferred memorials in memory of Denise can be made to the Van Wert County Humane Society.
POSTED: 05/13/26 at 12:35 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
George Brett Gardner, 64, of Van Wert passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Defiance CHP Hospice Center after a very brief illness of leukemia.
He was born February 23, 1962, the son of George Sanford “Sandy” Gardner who preceded him in death on August 30, 1988. He was married on July 28, 2002, to Marlene (Marty Lehman) Gardner.
He was a 1980 graduate of Van Wert High School. He worked for Van Wert National Bank for 17 years, then worked for All Green Lawn Care in Fort Wayne for over 30 years. Brett leaves behind his many rescue cats especially his buddies Harley D and Dusty. He was an avid fan of NHRA. John Force was his driver and Brett was his No. 1 fan.
He is survived by his two daughters, Brittany of Lima and Kyley of Van Wert; a son, Dylan of Van Wert; a stepson, Brett Fortney of Van Wert; six grandchildren, Hannah and Jude Vetter, Michele Gardner of Van Wert, Avi Fortman of Ottawa, Gabe Fortman of Van Wert and Draven Brown of Van Wert. Also surviving are his very special aunt Pat Prichard; brothers, Keith (Mitzi) Gardner and Tony (Patty) Gardner; sisters-in-law, Debbie (Terry) Owens, Diane (Dick) Jenkins, and Brenda Smith, and brothers-in-law, Dan (Judy) Lehman and David Lee (Judi) Lehman.
In addition to his father, Brett was preceded in death by his stepmother, Nancy Gardner and brothers-in-law, Mark Ainsworth and David Lynn Smith.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert, with Pastor Bobby Brown of Liberty Baptist Church officiating. Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be expressed at cowanfuneralhome.com.
POSTED: 05/13/26 at 8:30 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Donna J. Scott, 79, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026 at her home in Paulding.
Donna was born on April 13, 1947 in Convoy to Ervin and Elizabeth (Burk) Fabian, who both preceded her in death. On September 3, 1966, she married James Scott, who preceded her in death in 2011.
Donna worked in food service for Paulding Exempted Village Schools for 13 years before her retirement in 2009. She was a member of the Know Your Neighbor Club and Paulding Church of the Nazarene. Donna loved gardening, crocheting, and traveling.
Donna will be lovingly missed by her children: James “Jim” (Theresa) Scott of Huntertown, Indiana; Kimberly (Josh) Grimes of Oakwood, and Kristina (Jamie) Varner of Paulding; a brother, Edward (Faith) Fabian of Convoy; a sister-in-law, Robin Fabian of Van Wert; eight grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren.
Donna was also preceded in death by her brothers, Ervin “Butch” Fabian, Raymond Fabian and Paul Fabian and a grandson, Kyle Varner.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 14, at Paulding Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Doug Shilts officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul Cemetery, Paulding Township. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at Den Herder Funeral Home in Paulding. There will also be visitation from 10 a.m. until time of services on Thursday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s memory to Paulding Church of the Nazarene.
Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com.
POSTED: 05/12/26 at 10:37 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Michael E. Combs, 64, of Van Wert, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at his residence.
He was born March 13, 1962, in Bluefield, West Virginia, to Gordon C. and Peggy M. (Sheets) Combs, who both preceded him in death.
He is survived by his children, Michelle Lynn of Kansas, Joleene, Jocelyn and Jordon, all of Ohio; sisters, Angie and Lynn; a brother, Allen, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Michael will be laid to rest in Roselawn Cemetery, Princeton, West Virginia.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.
Services have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert.
POSTED: 05/10/26 at 7:43 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Larry L. Harris, a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, entered the kingdom of heaven on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the age of 83.
He was born on July 29, 1942, to Arthur Leroy “Roy” and Ireta (Miller) Harris, in Paulding.
Larry was a proud and dedicated family man and the truest example of faith, compassion, and kindness. He wished to be remembered as a “DJ” – a disciple of Jesus. He always held his love of Jesus first. Next was his wife of 63 years, Sharon (Boyd), who was his lifelong love and sweetheart.
Larry is also survived by his daughters, Tamali (Christopher) Pruden of Grover Hill and Lorali (Michael) Todd of Daytona Beach, Florida; his grandchildren, Ashley Pruden, Ryan (Katelyn) Todd, Devin Pruden, and Andrew (Ashley) Todd, and his great-grandchildren, Caroline, Madeline, Emmeline, and Levi Todd.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Carl Harris; and sisters, Marilyn Evans, Carol Gockley, and Clara Rice.
Larry graduated from Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida, and went on to attend Florida State University. He had a commendable career as a professional truck driver for over 47 years for Aeroquip and USF Holland. Larry also served his community as chief deputy for Sheriff Don Thomas at the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office and worked at the Van Wert Police Department.
His commitment to serving others extended beyond his professional life. He was an Eagle Scout and one of the first recipients of the Boy Scout God and Country Award. Larry was a member of various Masonic organizations, the Heartland Patriots, Wesley Church of Van Wert, and was a friend of the Gideons.
Known for his wit and a bit of ornery charm, he touched the lives of many throughout his life. Larry will be remembered for his selfless spirit and unwavering dedication to his Savior, his family, and community. He leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and laughter – guiding those who knew him to live their lives with the same kindness and integrity he embodied.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 11, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home and Crematory, Van Wert, with Rev. Josh Tissot and Rev. Steve Haddix officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert. Visitation will be held from 12-2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials: Community Health Professionals-Hospice or Wesley Church of Van Wert.
POSTED: 05/08/26 at 1:40 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
