Janice (Myers) Knerr

Janice (Myers) Knerr, 88, of Mansfield, and formerly of Van Wert, died in the early hours of Sunday, November 22, 2015. She was born in 1927, in Defiance, the daughter of Flossie and Glenn Myers, who both preceded her in death. She married Glenn Knerr, who died in 2010. Survivors include a son, Doug (Lesley […]

Charles F. Niedecken

Charles F. “Charlie” Niedecken, 91, of Delphos, died surrounded by his children. He was born April 27 1924, in Fort Jennings, the son of Frank and Caroline (Ricker) Niedecken, who both preceded him in death. On January 31, 1951, he married the former Esther Pothast, who did September 15, 1996. Survivors include three sons, Edward […]

VW, Lady Knights lose, Lancer girls win

VW independent girls’ basketball roundup Only one of the three girls’ basketball teams was a winner on Saturday, with Crestview and Van Wert girls going down to defeat and the Lady Lancers getting a win over Continental. The Lady Cougars lost 57-38 to Wayne Trace in a non-league game played at home on Saturday. Van […]

First snowfall

The first snowfall of the season fell on Saturday, with several area communities compiling impressive snowfalls, according to Van Wert County Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy. While Van Wert had around an inch, Convoy reported 3 inches, while Fort Wayne, Indiana, had 4.1 inches, Defiance had 3 inches, and Chicago had 18 inches. Above are […]

Central Insurance adds board member

VW independent/submitted information The Central Insurance Companies have announced the appointment of Dennis D. Stripe to the Board of Directors for Central Mutual Insurance and All America Insurance Companies, and the Central Insurex Agency, effective October 30. Stripe has more than 30 years of medical device experience, with 23 years in the orthopedic sector in […]

FEMA issues Thanksgiving driving tips

FEMA information The Federal Emergency Management Agency has some tips for those planning to drive somewhere during the Thanksgiving holiday. The Thanksgiving week is one typically filled with travel, a busy schedule, and potentially bad weather. “Don’t let this hectic time of the year sidetrack you from safety on the road,” said FEMA Region V […]

Chamber sets coffee event in December

VW independent/submitted information The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Chamber Coffee from 7:45-9 a.m. Friday, December 4, in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. Guest speaker for the event is Mercer County Community-Economic Development Director Jared Ebbing, who will share how his […]

Grinch to be at local business this Friday

VW independent/submitted information The Grinch will be at JJ’s Hair on The Square, 1130 S. Shannon St. in Van Wert, from noon-5 p.m. Friday, November 27. There will be photo opportunities, while free candy canes will be distributed. For more information, call 419.238.0172.

Janet D. Speelman

Janet D. Speelman, 78, of Scott, died at 4:17 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2015, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born September 10, 1937, in Willshire, the daughter of LeRoy and Mary (Kline) Painter, who both preceded her in death. On October 7, 1960, she married her husband, Kenneth L. Speelman who […]

Family Health Care buys Derry building

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor After nearly two years of sitting vacant, the former Derry Drugs building is being given new life — and a new purpose. Jennifer Smith, CEO of Family Health Care of Northwest Ohio, noted that her organization has purchased the building using grant money it receives following its designation as a Federally Qualified […]