Michael Leroy Williams

Michael Leroy Williams, 61, passed away at 7:40 p.m. Monday, February 20, 2017, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born February 27, 1955, in Van Wert, the son of Paul and Margret (Bice) Williams Sr. He married the former Brenda Jean Rison, who survives. Other survivors include his children, Nicky (Bob […]

Local Head Start program gets upgrade

VW independent/submitted information Van Wert County’s Head Start preschool program is one of several such programs in the area to benefit from a grant received by its parent organization. Van Wert County will convert its existing part-day classrooms and now has two 6-hour, full-day Head Start classrooms with 40 child slots. Through an increased federal […]

Young Artists Recital planned for Sunday

VW independent/submitted information The Van Wert County Foundation invites area residents to attend its 14th annual Van Wert County Young Artists Recital. The recital will be held at 3 p.m. this Sunday, February 26, in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 113 W. Central Ave. in Van Wert. This year’s recital will feature 17 […]

Girl Scout Cookies coming to NW Ohio

Submitted information LIMA — It’s a big weekend coming up for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio: Girl Scout Cookies begin arriving by the truckload for pick-up by area volunteers. More than 2.9 million boxes will be distributed to more than 2,300 troops in 32 counties throughout western Ohio. There are several “Cookie Drops” scheduled in the area. […]

Health Dept. announces office closing

Submitted information The Van Wert County General Health District will be closed Friday, March 3, in order for staff to participate in the Accreditation Summit. The County General Health District is working towards accreditation, as required by the Ohio Health Department to guarantee future funding and advance quality and performance within public health departments. The […]

Mildred G. Elwer

Mildred G. Elwer, 91, of Delphos, passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2017, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Delphos. She was born August 11, 1925, in Ottoville, the daughter of Charles and Rose (Klausing) Looser, who both preceded her in death. On July 4, 1949, she married Lewis Elwer, who died January 20, 1992. Survivors […]

Richard Tavenner

Richard Tavenner, 83, of Fort Jennings, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. He was born January 11, 1934, the son of William and Blanche (Stewart) Tavenner, who both preceded him in death. On August 11, 1955, he married the former Jean Schultz, who died March 28, 2016. […]

Judith Kay Cassidy

Judith Kay Cassady, 75, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, February 22, 2017, at Sheboygan (Wisconsin) Senior Community Center. Judith was born May 20, 1941 in Van Wert, the daughter of Carl and Cleora (Bury) McCollum, who both preceded her in death. She was a 1959 graduate of Van Wert High School and received a Bachelor […]

World War II vet finally receives medals

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor It’s been more than seven decades since Orval Mullen served in the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division – “the Ivy Division” — during World War II. The local veteran, who participated in the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of the Bulge, and helped liberate the Dachau death camp, finally received the medals due […]

Latta in city; provides legislative update

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor U.S. Representative Bob Latta was in town on Wednesday to provide an update on the 115th Congressional legislative session. Latta talked about President Donald Trump, noting that he has accomplished much in just five weeks in office. “I think if you look at what he has done, especially on the regulatory side, […]