Kay Shaffer

Kay Shaffer, 63, of Rockford, died at 5:50 a.m. Sunday, January 7, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She had been battling cancer the past year.  She was born in Celina on March 10, 1954, the daughter of Robert and Edith (Krugh) Gillespie, who both preceded her in death. Survivors include her […]

Kenneth M. Brake Jr.

Kenneth M. Brake Jr. , 94, of Van Wert, passed away at 9:11 a.m. Monday, January 8, 2018, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice. He was born November 17, 1923, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a son of Kenneth M. and  Bessie Mae (Lou) Brake Sr. who both preceded him in death. On November 7, 1947, he married […]

Betty J. McDonough

Betty J. McDonough passed away Sunday, January 7, 2018, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert at the age of 92. Betty was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 5, 1925, the daughter of Charles and Ruth (Allen) Deer. Following high school, Betty worked at Gimbel’s Department Store. After the war, she married Martin […]

Laura Kent Savage

Laura Kent Savage, 53, of Holland, and formerly of Delphos, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee. She was born January 20, 1964, in Lima, to Donald and Carol (Miller) Kent, who both preceded her in death. She is survived by a daughter, Rachel Kent of Maumee; one brother, […]

Alan J. Picker

Alan J. Picker, 57, of Delphos, passed away Monday, January 8, 2018, at his residence. He was born October 12, 1960, in Lima, the son of Carl and Margaret (May) Picker, who both preceded him in death. Survivors include his significant other and best friend, Beth Doster of Delphos; a brother, Carl (Karen) Picker of […]

VW hospital fetes 2018 New Year’s Baby

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor The New Year’s Baby came a little bit later than usual at Van Wert County Hospital as Beckem Ryder Eversole was born this past Thursday. Beckem, the son of Ryanne Eversole and Thomas Lantow, was born at 6:37 p.m. Thursday and weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces at birth. Eversole said the birth […]

First Federal celebrates 125th anniversary

VW independent/submitted information First Federal of Van Wert is excited to announce the celebration of its 125th anniversary in 2018.  While the festivities will start in January, First Federal will be celebrating throughout 2018. “We are very proud of our history of being a strong community bank. We emphasize customer service and community involvement and […]

Group for addicts, families set to kick off

VW independent/submitted information FOA Families of Addicts  of Van Wert has announced that Lori Erion, founder and executive director of the organization, will be present to kick off the local chapter’s initial meeting this Thursday, January 11, at the Van Wert County Council on Aging’s Senior Center on Fox Road. Erion knows about the problems […]

C’view seeking district input on new supt.

VW independent/submitted information CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education announces public meetings, to be held in the Fellowship Hall of Redeemer Lutheran Church, on Monday, January 15, at both 3 and 7 p.m.  The board is seeking input in regards to the district’s search for a new superintendent. Community members are also reminded […]

Cougars lose to powerful Fort Carroll

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor FORT WAYNE — A stifling defense and extraordinary three point shooting led the Fort Carroll Chargers past visiting Van Wert 74-32 in boys’ non-conference basketball action on Saturday night. The Chargers held the Cougars to 11 points in the first half, including just two in the second quarter. Offensively, Fort Carroll […]