Mildred Radebaugh

Mildred Radebaugh of Grand Rapids, Mich., and a former resident of Van Wert, died Monday evening, May 5, 2014, at Whispering Woods Nursing Home in Grand Rapids.

She was born March 10, 1918, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Clarence and Emily (Snyder) Williman. On May 25, 1940, she married Wayne Stetler, and they had two daughters, Connie and Barbara. Wayne was a pilot in World War II and was killed in action on December 5, 1944. She then married Byron Radebaugh on September 1, 1951, and they had one daughter, Claudia.

Mildred was a kindergarten teacher and also was an editorial assistant for the professional education journal, Thresholds in Education, at Northern Illinois University She was also an artist who worked in oils and watercolors, wrote poetry, and loved to read and travel.

She leaves behind two daughters, Barbara Tolley and Claudia Rosalos; eight grandchildren, Steve and Mark Hilty, Nick, Chris and Sabrina Tolley, and Wendy, Laurie and Mike Rosalos; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Her husband, Byron; a daughter, Connie; and five brothers and sisters, also preceded her in death.

She will be missed for her laughter, gentleness, fairness and wisdom.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 11 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.bricknerfuneralhome.com or emailed to bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.