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
Donna Jean (Conley) Martz, 93, of Van Wert, passed away at 11:47 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Van Wert Manor.
She was born August 2, 1930, to Walter and Ilo (Boroff) Conley, who both preceded her in death. On February 3, 1951, she married E.H. “Dean” Martz. He preceded her in death on March 5, 1999.
Donna babysat for over 50 years in Van Wert, touching the lives of countless children in Van Wert county. She had also worked at Carl Wright’s Truck Stop and Balyeat’s Coffee Shop. She was a member of the former St. Peter’s Church of Christ in Van Wert. She was an avid baker who loved to read and crochet.
Donna is survived by her children, Mary Martz of Van Wert and Michael (Rebecca) Martz of Glenmore, and a grandchild, Briana Martz.
In addition to her parents and husband, Donna was preceded in death by her siblings, Clarence Conley, Betty Shobe, Patricia McIntire, Walter Conley Jr, Marion Conley, Dale Conley and Louise Conley, who died in infancy.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, with Pastor Brandon Baker officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials: Van Wert YWCA Summer Food Program.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 04/25/24 at 3:08 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Loren J. Hurless, 73, of Van Wert passed away at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at The Springs of Lima.
He was born on April 20, 1951, in Van Wert, the son of George Edward and Imogene Louise (Feigert) Hurless, who both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Edward Ray Hurless.
Loren is survived by a son, Kory K. (Jennifer) Hurless of Evansville, Indiana; a grandson, Kaden Hurless, and a sister, Rita K. Hurless of Van Wert.
He was a 1969 graduate of Crestview High School and retired from General Dynamics in Lima after 40 years of service. He was a former member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Harrison Township and currently a member of New Life Assembly Church in Lima. He was active in Narcotics Anonymous for the better part of 32 years and reached his special clean date of 32 years on February 13, 2024.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert, with Pastor Bob Wardle officiating. There will be calling hours 11 a.m. until time of services on Saturday. Interment will be at Evangelical Protestant Cemetery in Harrison Township.
Preferred memorials: Narcotics Anonymous of Lima or the Van Wert County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at cowanfuneralhome.com.
POSTED: 04/24/24 at 12:55 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Joy Ann (Crouch) McCleery, 88, of Van Wert, passed away at 6:22 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
She was born April 14, 1936, in Cincinnati, the only child of Roy and Rose (Crump) Crouch, who both preceded her in death. She married Ronald E. McCleery on September 6, 1958, and he preceded her in death on March 9, 2012.
Joy grew up in Mariemont, just east of Cincinnati, where she attended the local schools and played tennis every available minute except for Saturdays when she helped in her father’s grocery store so that she could receive her allowance. She graduated from Ohio State University in 1958 in business administration and was president of her college sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, her senior year. Her husband’s Air Force career gave her the opportunity to live in many different locations over the years, including England, where two of her children were born.
She came to Van Wert in 1977 and worked at the Van Wert Alcoholism Center for several years before retiring and becoming involved in genealogy. She was the Membership Chairman and wrote the newsletter for the Van Wert County Genealogical Society for many years. She was also a trustee of the Van Wert County Historical Society and wrote the “Historical Happenings” newsletter for ten years and then started writing a “Historical Happenings” newspaper column for the Times-Bulletin which she thoroughly enjoyed. She believed that “history was like the nail on which the picture hangs.” She was a member of TWIG II and a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert where she served on several committees and enjoyed helping in the kitchen for special meals as well as for the late great strawberry festival. She also volunteered with Bread & Bowl and the Food Pantry. After Bethel Church closed, she became a member of First United Methodist Church.
She thoroughly enjoyed watching her children’s games and delighted in all their accomplishments, both academic and athletic, just as she did her grandchildren’s. She was a Lincolnview fan, a Cincinnati Reds fan (she remembered her father closing his grocery store, hopping in the car with him and her mother, picking up a bag of White Castle hamburgers and going to Crosley Field to watch Red’s baseball games,), a Bengals fan and, of course, an Ohio State football faithful of the first rank (member of Block O!) Going to the Rose Bowl game her freshman year at Ohio State was a treasured memory, one of many.
Her family included daughters, Kelly (Joe) Ginter and Kristin McCleery (Greg Jones), all of Van Wert; sons, Scott (Jane) McCleery of Fort Wayne and Mark (Michele) McCleery of Michigan; grandchildren, Quinn Ginter, Joshua (Mae) Vandemark, Jessica Shaw, Austin (Jessica) Hamel, Kyle and Luke McCleery, Conner McCleery, Hannah (Nolan) McCleery Silberhorn, Kristen (Mike) Morgan, Amanda(Chase Gutierrez) Kalafut, and Bob (Samantha) Kalafut Jr.; great-grandchildren, Dalton and Chase Vandemark, Cadence and Addison Christopher, Mikey Morgan, Isabelle and Alaina Kalafut; a sister-in-law, Sharon (Jim) McConnell of Wellington; a nephew, Colby Hirn of Columbus, and her treasured sweet dog, Harper (she wasn’t really sure just who rescued who).
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her in-laws, Florence and Cliff McCleery and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce and Dennis Hirn.
As she wished, there will be no visitation.
Preferred memorials: the Van Wert County Humane Society or First United Methodist Church. She also would hope that you will share your smile with someone who doesn’t have one, say hello to brighten someone’s day, and pay it forward when you can.
Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home and Crematory, Van Wert, is in charge of arrangements.
POSTED: 04/24/24 at 8:55 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Dana B. Sealscott, 65, of Van Wert, died at 12:14 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Mercy-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.
He was born May 31, 1958, to Lester Christian and Bonnie Marie (Baker) Sealscott. On April 8, 1995, he married the former Lori Evans. Dana retired from Kennedy Manufacturing, in Van Wert, after 43 years of service. He also farmed for many years with his family.
Dana was an animal lover, enjoyed playing games and loved taking family vacations. Most importantly, Dana loved his family more than anything. His kids and grandkids were definitely his pride and joy. He was also a very talented woodworker and all-around great guy. He had a great sense of humor who loved to make people laugh.
He is survived by his wife, Lori Sealscott of Van Wert; his children, Tiffany Marie Sealscott of Lakeland, Florida, Bryan Etzler of Defiance, Austin Lloyd Sealscott of Convoy, Parker Christian Sealscott of Van Wert and MacKenzie Paige Sealscott of Van Wert, and grandchildren, Case Etzler, Briggs Etzler, Scout Etzler and Steiger Etzler.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandchild, Savon Pullie; a brother, Gary Sealscott; a sister, Joyce Lynch, and father and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Betty Evans.
Private family services will be held. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery, Middle Point.
Preferred memorials: the Van Wert County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert.
POSTED: 04/23/24 at 5:50 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Stephen K. Sennebogen, 74, of Van Wert passed away Sunday April 21, 2024.
He was born May 16, 1949 to Henry and Vetha (Ford) Sennebogen, who both preceded her in death.
Steve grew up in Van Wert and graduated from Van Wert High School. He went on to obtain his associate’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University.
At the age of 19, he enlisted in the Army. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of first lieutenant. As a part of this service, Steve served in Vietnam with the Co C, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne, Co C, 1-148th Infantry Ohio Army National Guard. Steve was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Vietnam Presidential Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Steve was a proud father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and veteran.
Surviving are his daughters and sons, Brady (Jarret) Hammons, Sommer Sennebogen, Toby (Sarah) Sennebogen, and Jason (Susan) Ruston; grandchildren, Dakota and Keagon Hammons, Holden, Dalton, and Hannah Reichert, Peyton, Addison, and Crew Sennebogen, and John and Sophia Ruston; great-granddaughter, Blakelee Vorhees; sisters, Barbara Brown and Ruah Hanicq; brothers, Hank and Rick Sennebogen, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by a brother, Douglas Sennebogen.
Funeral services with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, April 29, at Alspach Gearhart Funeral Home, Van Wert, with Pastor Bill Watson officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service, Monday, April 29, from 1-3 p.m.
Online condolences may be shared at www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 04/23/24 at 3:23 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Beverly Ann “Bev ” Adam, 79, of Van Wert, passed into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Van Wert Manor.
She was born on August 24, 1944, in Defiance, to Eugene and Harriet Foss, who both preceded her in death. On February 12, 1966, she was married to her loving husband, Doug, who survives. They were blessed with two children, Yvonne (Brad) Perrott and Tim Adam; five grandchildren, Jared (Sarah) Perrott, Morgan Adam, Courtney (Adam) Rager, Collin Adam, and Jordan (Emaly) Perrott; six great-grandchildren, Jayden Perrott, Charlie, Brianna, Johnny and Audrey Rager, and Ellie Adam. She is also survived by a brother, David (Angie) Foss.
Bev was a cosmetologist who cared for many clients over the years at her shop, Country Hair Flair. She was affiliated with the Mandale Church. She enjoyed spending time with her family and traveling anytime she could. She also loved playing bingo with her “bingo buddies”. Bev faithfully attended every sporting event and musical performances to support her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws, Charles and Marie Adam; a brother, Ron, and sister, Shirley.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, with Pastor Tony Gonzalez, officiating. Visitation will be from 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Bev was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials: Community Health Professionals- Hospice or Youth For Christ.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 04/23/24 at 9:23 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Rae Justine (Hunter) Frey, 92, joined her loving husband, William E., for eternal life with the Lord on Sunday, April 21, 2024, after a struggle with breast cancer.
She was born July 29, 1931, in Scott, to Ben and Myra (Burris) Hunter, who both preceded her in death. She married William E. Frey, who preceded her in death. They shared 65 years of marriage.
On a beautiful blue sunny day, you could find Rae sitting on her patio enjoying life and nature. She enjoyed her beautiful flowers, monarch butterflies, bird watching, her two cats and her special dog, Emmie.
Rae was an active member of Grand Victory Church, where you would find her leading the congregation with songs every Sunday. She would help with morning announcements and was very involved with all social events. In recent years, she was a member of Trinity Global Methodist Church. During her life, she was an active member in the Eastern Star organization. She was an avid Lincolnview Lancer and Ohio State Buckeye fan. Rae devoted much of her time to watching her grandchildren’s school and sports activities.
Rae is survived by her children, Jill Evans of Van Wert, Randy (Cheryl) Frey of Maumee, Steve (Denise) Frey of Van Wert, and Susan (Jonathan) Bohn of The Villages, Florida; 12 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 25, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, with Rev. Clark Williman, officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Trinity Global Methodist Church or to the Van Wert County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 04/22/24 at 8:45 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Larry G. Dickerhoof, 70, of Van Wert passed away on Sunday evening, April 21, 2024, at OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital.
He was born on November 21, 1953, in Hicksville, to Loren Allen Dickerhoof and Maybelle Edythe (Ebersole) Dickerhoof, who both preceded him in death.
Family survivors include his twin sister, Sherry Subler of Delphos, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Max Dickerhoof and two sisters, Mary Jean Jackson and Judy K. Reznikov.
Larry was a retired custodian at the Van Wert City Schools and had worked for the Van Wert-Times Bulletin as a photographer. He also was a member of St. Paul’s Church of rural Van Wert, along with being a member of the Van Wert Camera Club and the Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197. Larry had many photographs shown at the Van Wert County Fair, where he won various awards.
There will be a private celebration of life at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at cowanfuneralhome.com.
POSTED: 04/22/24 at 3:46 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Kathy L. Martin went home to Jesus Sunday (just like she wanted) evening, April 21, 2024, in Avon, Ohio.
She was born February 9, 1954, in Van Wert, to Thomas and Betty Dailey, who both preceded her in death. Her brothers, Steve and Mike Dailey also preceded her in death.
She is survived by her son, Ben; daughter-in-law, Sara; grandchildren, Asher and Millie Martin of Avon; her brother, Kevin (Sandy) Dailey of Van Wert, and sisters-in-law Leilani Dailey of Van Wert, and Ana Dailey of Archbold.
Kathy was a registered nurse at St. Rita’s hospital from 1984-2019 and was a main caregiver to her parents in their illnesses. She shared her gift of caregiving with everyone in her life, even in her very last days. She loved being outdoors and was an avid walker and bicycle rider. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and created many fun and lasting memories.
However, her true calling was being a faith-filled follower of Jesus. She loved reading her Bible and journaling, and gave freely of her time, gifts, and resources to various churches, ministries, and people in need in the Lima area. She was blessed with deep friendships and always hoped the love of Jesus was evident and overflowing in her life. Anyone who knew her would affirm her hope was true.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home, Van Wert. Interment will immediately follow in Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service, from 9-10:30 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
To share in Kathy’s online memorial, visit www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 04/22/24 at 2:42 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Linda L. (McClellan) Lund, 76, of Van Wert, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Vancrest of Van Wert.
She was born on May 29, 1947, in Hicksville, to Lee and Betty (Severance) McClellan, who both preceded her in death.
A 1965 graduate of Van Wert High School, Linda went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College and her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. She was a lifelong elementary school teacher, having taught kindergarten, second and fifth grades. She retired in 2020. Even though Linda’s career took her far from home, she always remained an avid Buckeyes fan.
Linda is survived by her brother, Gary McClellan of Convoy, close friend Colette Betts of Hicksville, as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her husband, John Lund; brothers, Glenn and Ronnie McClellan, and her sister, Brenda McClellan.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Hicksville, will be private. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory.
To share in Linda’s online memorial, visit www.alspachgearhart.com.
POSTED: 04/22/24 at 10:09 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
