Obituaries can be emailed to editor@thevwindependent.com. The Van Wert independent no longer accepts no-cost death notices. As of October 1, 2023, the cost of full obituaries will be $95 (including a photo). Local funeral homes are billed for full obituaries, while out-of-town funeral homes can also be billed, if so requested. Obituaries submitted by individuals must be paid in full prior to publication. The Van Wert independent accepts credit cards by telephone from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday at 419.238.1220.
POSTED: 12/28/10 at 3:42 pm. FILED UNDER: Info
Gladys L. Agler, 105, of Ohio City, passed away Sunday afternoon, January 12, 2025, at Vancrest Health Care Center, Van Wert.
She was born on January 30, 1919, in Liberty Township, the daughter of Henry W. and Jessie A. (Bolenbaugh) Hoffman, who both preceded her in death. On August 22, 1942, she married Lester Carl Agler who preceded her in death on September 18, 2007.
Family survivors include her children Sharon A. Carr of Van Wert, Bobbie L. (Mark) Englehart of Antwerp, and Ronald W. Agler of Ohio City; four grandchildren, Ben, Clint and Logan Englehart and Yvonne (David) Brubaker, and three great grandchildren, Noah Brubaker and Miles and Micah Englehart.
In addition to her parents and husband, Gladys was preceded in death by a sister, Mary E. Keith and five brothers, Clifford, Harold “Bud”, Clarence “Dude”, Gaylord, and Wayne “Joe” Hoffman.
Gladys was a 1937 graduate of Ohio City-Liberty High School and was a long time member of the Ohio City Community Church of God. She also had been active in the American Legion Auxiliary of Harvey Lewis Post 348, Ohio City.
Funeral services with be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 17, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert, with Pastor Randy Bevington officiating. Interment will follow at Ohio City Woodlawn Cemetery. Calling hours will held from 10 a.m. to service time on Friday.
Preferred memorials: the Ohio City Fire Department and E.M.S.
Online condolences may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at cowanfuneralhome.com.
POSTED: 01/13/25 at 5:15 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Darrell D. “Ozzy” Hoverman, 63, of Monroeville, Indiana, passed away Sunday morning, January 12, 2025, at Parkview Randallia Hospital in Fort Wayne.
He was born on November 23, 1961, in Van Wert, to Jim and Janet (DeBolt) Hoverman.
Darrell had worked various jobs over the years and had enjoyed doing bodywork. He previously operated Sherrick’s Wilderness Resort in Minnesota for several years.
Darrell enjoyed dirt track racing and NASCAR. He was also a fan of Ohio State University and Philadelphia Eagles football. He loved listening to classic rock and baking bread, cookies, and pumpkin rolls.
He is survived by his son, Garrick Hoverman of Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Alisha (Sly Banuelos) Hoverman of Decatur, Indiana; four grandchildren, Carter Perez, Avayah Banuelos, Braxton Lee Hoverman, and Chase Lee Hoverman; three sisters, Nancy (Norman) Brokaw of Decatur, Indiana, Deb (Carl Hartzell) Dixon of Van Wert, and Michelle (Howard) Hohman of Glenmore, and a nephew, Taylor Dixon.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jim Hoverman.
Family & friends will be received from 3-6 p.m. Friday, January 17, at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and the family asks that casual or sports team apparel be worn. A celebration of life and private burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City at a later date.
Preferred memorials: the ACCF – Cancer Fund.
POSTED: 01/13/25 at 5:06 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
A celebration of life for Rodger D. Hoffman, 71, who passed away December 19, 2024, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 18, at Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, 1197 Elks Drive. Family and friends are encouraged to come and celebrate a life well lived.
POSTED: 01/13/25 at 3:05 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Jasper Clarence “Jay” Mitchell went home to sing with the angels on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. He fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s and heart disease with the help of the Lord.
He was born on October 24, 1943, in Kenvir, Kentucky, and passed away peacefully in St. Louis, Missouri. He was predeceased by his parents, Jasper Clarence Mitchell Sr. and Elizabeth (Saylor) Mitchell.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ellen (Ruder). They were married for 36 years. They enjoyed their years together serving the Lord. A friend once told them they were “twins of the heart.”
He had two sons, Troy (Brenda) of Keller, Texas, and Jeff (Leslie) of Southlake, Texas; three grandchildren, Jackson, Madison and Nolan; two step-children, Eric (Kelly) Polonus and Aimee (Jerald) Jackson, and five step-grandchildren, Jacob, Chelsea, Madison, Samantha and Graham. He had one sister, Phyllis (John) Wortman and one brother, Jerry (Julie) Mitchell, and nieces, nephews and cousins. He enjoyed the friends he made throughout his life and will be missed by so many people.
He was a graduate of Crestview High School and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business. During his career he worked in the insurance industry and in finance.
Jay was known for his singing and his sense of humor. He loved to make people feel better through his singing and to make them laugh through his humor. One of the things he had on his bucket list was to give one more concert. This was accomplished at Del Mar Gardens Creve Coeur, where he lived the last months of his life, on his 81st birthday. It was enjoyed by all.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 1, at Parkway Baptist Church, 12465 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the celebration of life following at 11 a.m. Deacon Quay Finefrock, Jay’s best friend, will preside. Burial will be at a later date.
The family thanks Mercy Hospice St. Louis and Del Mar Gardens Creve Coeur for their care. Donations may be made to either place in Jay’s name.
Thank you to family and friends for their love and support.
POSTED: 01/13/25 at 12:04 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
William Wallace “Wally” Grimm, 82, of Wapakoneta, formerly of Van Wert, went to be with his Lord on Friday, January 10, 2025, at his home.
Wally was born in Mason, West Virginia, on March 7, 1942. He was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. Harry Joseph Grimm and Maxine Elias Grimm, as well as a sister, Claudia Jo McDaniel.
He married Donna L. Ebner on August 5, 1967, and she survives him and lives in Wapakoneta. He is the father of four children: Claudia (Matt) Crawford of Ada, T.J. (Suzanne) Grimm of North Royalton, Shelly (Bob) Barrett of Wapakoneta, and Rusty (Vicki) Grimm of St. Marys, and the grandfather of nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Wally was a graduate of Tiffin Columbian High School, Heidelberg College, and received his master’s degree from Bowling Green State University.
He was an English teacher at York High School, Bellevue High School, Bowling Green High School, and Lakota High School. Wally loved the arts and music and directed many high school musicals and show choirs. He was also an actor and musician and held the starring roles in musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Oliver, The Sound of Music and many others in local theatres. Wally was a 32nd degree Mason, and member of the Van Wert Service Club. He also coached basketball and golf. He then became the principal of Van Wert High School for 26 years, where he spent years serving on the the Ohio High School Athletic Association Northwest District Board of Control. After retirement, he worked at Willow Bend County Club and coached the Van Wert High School golf team.
Wally was a dedicated Christian who was a lay speaker in his church and a speaker for the Gideon Organization. He was a member of the Wapakoneta First Methodist Church. He was a member of the choir and was a frequent soloist. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and the jokes he always played on people.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday January 18, at the Wapakoneta First Methodist Church, 504 Glynwood Road. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, prior to the service. Burial will to follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta.
Preferred memorials are to the Wally Grimm Scholarship Fund at the Van Wert County Foundation.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, Wapakoneta, where condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
POSTED: 01/12/25 at 9:13 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Marcia L. Goings, 75, of Convoy, passed away Saturday morning, January 11, 2025, at VanCrest Nursing Home, Van Wert.
She was born on August 21, 1949, in Van Wert the daughter of Norman and Alice B. (Ehman) Kreischer Jr., who both preceded her in death. On April 20, 1968, she married Donald Lynn Goings and he also preceded her in death on April 19, 2003.
Family survivors include her four children, Holly L. Goings, of Columbia City, Indiana, Camille A. Goings of Convoy, Tara A. (Chris) Lutz of Convoy and Brandon (Rieko) Goings of Charlotte, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Alexis, Shayne, Dylan, Hope, Peyton, Mackenzie, Blake, Jackson and Braxton; four great-grandchildren, Lillian, Phillip, Ryder and Lincoln; a brother, Kelly (Connie) Kreischer of Van Wert, and two sisters, Sharon (Thomas) Short of Van Wert and Karen Fleagle of Van Wert.
Marcia was a 1967 graduate of Van Wert High School and had attended LifeHouse Church. She had worked at Crestview North School, KAM Manufacturing and at the former Days Inn in Van Wert.
Services will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert. Calling hours will be held from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials: the Convoy Fire & EMS Department.
Online condolences may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at cowanfuneralhome.com.
POSTED: 01/12/25 at 8:57 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Milo (Mike) C. Wyandt entered into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the remarkable age of 100, fulfilling his dream of living a full century.
Born on December 19, 1924, in Van Wert. Milo was the son of David Franklin Wyandt and Lulu May (Newton) Wyandt, who both preceded him in death. He married the love of his life, Betty Lou (Baer) Wyandt and together they shared 73 years of marriage.
Milo’s memory is carried forward by his wife, Betty and their two children: Sherry Dee (Joseph) Fortman of Van Wert and Kevin (Angie) Wyandt of Panama City, Florida. He took great joy in his role as a grandfather to Carly (Shannon) Smith of Van Wert, Treg (Leslie) Fortman of Powell, and Samantha (Jared) Snow of Wewahitchka, Florida. Milo was fortunate to be a great-grandfather to Rhett Smith and step-great-granddaughters, Nevada (Noah Daugherty) Smith and Savannah (Brandon) Wynn.
He was preceded in death by his four sisters; his twin sister Ilo (Clarence) Grubaugh, Ethel Wyandt, Alice Keith, and Esther Stemen, as well as his five brothers, Harold and Gerald (another set of twins in the family), Paul, Franklin, and Doyt Wyandt.
Milo was a 1943 graduate of Van Wert High School. After graduation, he proudly served as a U.S. Navy Gunner during World War II. He was stationed in a wide range of different places overseas, including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He was aboard the Liberty Ship Ephraim W. Baughman during the Allied invasion of Normandy, witnessing the start of Operation Overlord.
Following his military service, Milo embarked on a career building and remodeling homes alongside his brothers. He later transition into the Chrysler Amplex Corporation, where he worked until his retirement in 1987.
Milo was a dedicated lifelong member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, as well as a member of the Van Wert American Legion Post #178 and Van Wert VFW Post #5803. He proudly served his community in many ways, including as a Boy Scout leader and a participant in Relay for Life as a cancer survivor. He also supported Toys for Tots through the Navy Club and found great fulfillment in giving back to others.
In 2016, Milo participated in the National Honor Flight, a deeply meaningful experience and was later featured in a promotional commercial. Passionate about preserving history, Milo enjoyed his wartime stories and photo albums with students and the community, with his firsthand accounts.
Milo was an avid fisherman, refining his skills first at Johnson Lake in Minnesota and later at his cottage on Rose Lake. His passions for fishing was only rivaled by his love for playing the musical spoons, delighting anyone willing to listen.
A joint memorial service for Milo and his beloved wife, Betty, will be held at a later date.
Preferred memorials are to the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
Online condolences may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at cowanfuneralhome.com.
POSTED: 01/09/25 at 3:39 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Mary Ellen (Krugh) Scheidt was born on September 7, 1929, in Ohio City, to DeMae (Gephart) Krugh and Carey Eugene Krugh, who both proceeded her in death. She married Gus N. Scheidt on June 18, 1949, who proceeded her in death on October 10, 1988.
Family survivors include her three sons; Bradley (Becky) Scheidt of Van Wert, Bing (Sherri) Scheidt of Rockford and Gregg (Ava) Scheidt of Ohio City; three granddaughters, Erin (Chris) Lynch, Amber (Greg) Slusher and Alysha (Stan) Hall; three grandsons, Kyle (Jama) Scheidt, Andrew (Abby) Scheidt and Jordon (Rebecca) Scheidt, and six great-grandchildren, Alyxandria (Chandler) Adams, Caden Slusher, Jenna Lynch, Gavin Lynch, Grayson Scheidt and Harper Scheidt.
Mary attended and graduated from Ohio City-Liberty High School. She was a member of the Ohio City United Methodist Church, a member of the United Methodist Women which she had served on the Social Concern’s Committee and the church council. Mary had worked at Fishers Big Wheel in the J. Bakers Shoe Department, Roundy’s and Pic ‘N’ Save grocery store as a cashier.
She was proceeded in death by a grandson, Travis Scheidt; three brothers, Eugene Krugh, Wilbur Krugh and the Rev. Billy C. Krugh, and five sisters, Marcile Beougher, Marcella Smith, Arlene Kline, Alice Mae Blatchley and Donna Ruth McGlyn.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, January 13, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert, with Pastor Gary Ginter officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery of Ohio City. Calling hours will held from 10 a.m. until time of services on Monday.
Preferred memorials: the Ohio City United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at cowanfuneralhome.com.
POSTED: 01/09/25 at 9:00 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Rev. Robert L. Shook, 84, of Decatur, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
He was born on June 27, 1940, in Van Wert County to Harvey D. and Bernice L. (Weyer) Shook, who both preceded him in death. On August 27, 1961, Bob was united in marriage to Nancy M. Arnold at Greenbrier Church in Ohio City.
He attended Rockford Belle Community Church. He was a member of the Willshire Sportsman Club.
Bob was a graduate of Van Del High School and Huntington College. He retired in 2005 from serving as a pastor in the Church of the United Brethren In Christ denomination in Indiana and Ohio. Apple Grove, Mt. Union, Mt. Victory, Mt. Hermon and Letart Falls, Convoy, Galloway Chapel, Logan, and Mt. Zion (Bobo), were among the many churches he faithfully served. He also worked at Walmart in Decatur for nine years, retiring in 2008, where he was known as Bob the Builder.
Bob enjoyed fishing and woodworking. He liked to build and repair bicycles, especially for his grandkids. There is a sign on his garage door that says “If grandpa can’t fix it, nobody can.” He loved spending time with his family and friends. His garage was meticulously organized – there’s a place for everything, and everything in its place.
Survivors include wife of 63 years, Nancy M. Shook of Decatur; four daughters, Lucille F. (Richard) Burcham of Logan, Ohio, Geraldine L. (Kerry) Columber of Canton, Ohio, Cynthia A. (Troy) Chrisman of Ray, Ohio, and Patricia L. (Brandon) Braun of Monroe, Indiana; two sisters, Jacqueline Hunter of Ohio City, and Mary Alice (Charles) Sanders of Princeton, Indiana; 10 grandchildren, Courtney (Matthew) Hazelip, Christine Burcham, Catherine (Seth) Stimmel, Kirby (Rachel) Columber, Jennifer (Dan) Sterner, Holly Columber, Andrew Columber, Roxanne Beavers, Cheyenne (Justin) Tackett, and Laci Braun, nine great-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Russel H. Shook; three sisters, Lulu Glee Ayers, Katherine A. Hoverman, and Rose Elaine Lichtenberger, and a great-grandson.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 11, at Rockford Belle Community Church with Pastor Ken Smith and Pastor Eric Burk officiating. Burial will follow at the Greenbrier Cemetery in Ohio City. Family and friends will be received from 10-11 a.m. Friday, January 10, at Woodcrest Porter Auditorium and from 2-7 p.m. Friday, January 10, at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Rockford Belle Community Church.
Preferred memorials: Laurel Missions in Kentucky or Operation Christmas Child.
Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana.
For complete obituary information and to sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.
POSTED: 01/08/25 at 4:05 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Larry Burley Lytle, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Van Wert Manor in Van Wert.
He was born on February 24, 1940, and was the beloved husband of Louise Lytle, with whom he shared over 60 years of marriage.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Corwin B. Lytle and Lucille F. (Bendele) Lytle, as well as his sister, Connie L. Dobrin.
A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Larry enlisted in 1960 and dedicated over 20 years of service to his country, retiring with the distinguished rank of E-9. His naval career took him across the globe to places such as Vietnam, Turkey, New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia. After his military service, Larry continued to serve his community as Commander of Van Wert VFW Post #5803 for many years.
Larry resided in Middle Point, where he enjoyed a life filled with simple pleasures and meaningful connections. A devoted fan of the Cleveland Browns, Ohio State University athletics, and the Cleveland Guardians (formerly Indians), he found joy in cheering for his favorite teams. Larry also had a deep love for reading and could often be found immersed in a good book.
A celebration of life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 18, at Van Wert VFW Post #5803.
Larry’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. May his legacy of service and love bring comfort to all who mourn his passing.
Arrangements were entrusted to Brickner Funeral Home, Van Wert.
POSTED: 01/07/25 at 8:44 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
