The Van Wert County Courthouse

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Carl R. Thatcher Family Trust, F. Eloise Thatcher Family Trust, Carl R. Thatcher Living Trust and F. Eloise Thatcher Living Trust to Harold R. Merkle and Janet M. Merkle, inlot 4141, Van Wert. Green Tree Servicing LLC to Linda Burnett Markins, lot 63, Delphos subdivision. Peter H. Weir and Susan J. Weir to Robert F. […]

POSTED: 11/16/11 at 1:43 pm. FILED UNDER: Real Estate Transfers

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor A man many consider a Van Wert County Fair institution has announced his retirement at the end of the year. “I just decided that I am retiring officially on December 31,” said Paul Oechsle, who has spent the last 22 years as fair manager, while also serving 42 years as a fair […]

POSTED: 11/16/11 at 7:35 am. FILED UNDER: News

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Two of the county’s three commissioners have officially announced pending retirements at the end of their terms in December 2012 after decades of public service. Gary Adams, the senior commissioner with nearly 28 years of service in that position, said it is time to step down while he still has his health. […]

POSTED: 11/16/11 at 7:35 am. FILED UNDER: News

Van Wert independent A Delphos businessman will have to operate that business from jail after Van Wert County Common Pleas Judge Charles Steele revoked his bond for using a cell phone in the court’s lobby. Robert Fishbein, 48, of Lima, appeared in an orange Van Wert County Correctional Facility jumpsuit during a hearing held Tuesday […]

POSTED: 11/16/11 at 6:44 am. FILED UNDER: News

Van Wert independent/contributor content Judge Charles D. Steele announced he has filed petitions for reelection to the position of Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge for the 2012 election.  Judge Steele has served as the Common Pleas Court Judge since 1999. He is the son of the late Chalmer and Doris Steele of Van […]

POSTED: 11/16/11 at 6:20 am. FILED UNDER: News

Join the Peony Festival Committee as it enjoys the beauty of the holidays. Great decorating ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas are featured in five lovely homes on Washington Street in Van Wert as part of the Harvest Holiday Home Tour. Tickets will be sold at each house and, for $10, those who take the tour […]

POSTED: 11/16/11 at 6:18 am. FILED UNDER: News

There will be an informational meeting for parents and guardians of senior Van Wert High School students regarding financial aid from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, December 5, in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The VWHS Office of Student Services has arranged for Lawrence Matthews of Bluffton University to make a […]

POSTED: 11/16/11 at 6:16 am. FILED UNDER: News

Van Wert Police November 13, 1:10 p.m. — A resident of the 400 block of Dickinson Avenue reported that someone broke into that residence and took several items. Delphos Police No new reports.

POSTED: 11/16/11 at 5:10 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement

It’s hard to believe the holidays are almost upon us!  Thanksgiving is only a week away and then it’s full speed into the Christmas season. This season will lack nothing as far as music and entertainment to help set the mood for anyone in the Van Wert area. There will be seven … count them … seven […]

POSTED: 11/15/11 at 6:06 pm. FILED UNDER: News

David F. Merkle, 81, of rural Ohio City, died at 5:25 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2011, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born February 21, 1930, in Mercer County, the son of the late Lewis W. and Bertha (Parker) Merkle. On June 3, 1951, he married Barbara J. (Walls) Merkle, who […]

POSTED: 11/15/11 at 2:08 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries