Lima News
Aug 9, 1998

Celma

ELMER "PETE" KITTLE, 72, died Aug 8, 1998 al Lima Memorial Hospital. He was  born Oct 1. 1925 in Mercer County la Forest E and
Loree (Kugel) Kittle.  On Dec. 23,1960 he married Ruth Florence who survives. Mr. Kittle retired as superintendent of the Mercer County
Highway Department. He was a life member of the VFW Post 5713 and American Legion Post 210, both of Celina. He was also a member of Erastus United Methodist Church and the Disabled American Veterans Charter 076.  He was a World War II US Army Veteran who| served in the European Theater. Survivors, also include sons, Lyle (Shirley)  Kittle  and Don (Brenda)  Kittle of Celina; two brothers, Leonard "Kelly" (Martha Lou) Kittle and Murrel "Charlie" Kittle both of Celina; five sisters;  Virginia Zumberge, Helen Hinkle. Blanche Andres and Mary Ann Kittle all of Celina,  and Geraldine "Jerry" Fishbaugh of Spencerville; and 7 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He  was preceded in death by
a sister Carolyn Sue Sloan. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at W. H. Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina. The Revs. Douglas R. Meyer and Timothy Benjamin will officiate.  Burial will be at Mercer Memory Gardena , Celina. Friends may call from 2 to 6 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society of Auglaize and Mercer counties.

Lima News
Oct 21, 1985

ROCKFORD - Fred G. Tolan, 79. of here, died at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Van Wert County Hospital following a brief illness. He was born April 8, 1906. in Rockford . the son of Robert and Catherine (Mussulman) Tolan. On June 30,1942, he married Catherine Sweyer who survives. Mr. Tolan was owner and operator of Tolan Memorials until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of the Shane Lodge 377 Free and Accepted Masons, the Scottish Rite of Dayton and Mispah Shrine of Fort Wayne , Ind. Survivors also include a son, James Tolan of Celina; four grandchildren; and a sister, Eva Gordon of Fort Recovery . Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home,  Rockford . Rev. Martin Griffith officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery . Friends may call until 9 tonight and after 9 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Masonic services will be held at 8:30 tonight at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shrine Hospital for Crippled Children.  

Lima News
Jan 16, 2000

Mendon

VIVIAN LOUISE BELL, 71, died at 10:25 p.m. Jan. 15, 2000, at her residence. She was born Dec.19,1928, in Union Township . Mercer County to Earl L. and Mary Ada (Rader Wilkins). On Dec. 20,1945, she married Fred Bell, who survives. Mrs. Bell was a homemaker and had been a child care provider. She was a member of Ross Church of the Brethren, Mendon, and the Mendon Women's Civic Club. Survivors also include a son, Kevin (Emily) Bell of Mendon; a daughter, Karen Kittle Bell of Fort Recovery; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son. Korwin Bell ; and a granddaughter. Services will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at W. H. Dick & Sons Funeral Home, Mendon. The Rev. Torn McDonald will officiate. Burial will be in Mendon Cemetery . Friends may call from 2 to 5 and  7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Celina Area Visiting Nurses.  

Lima News
Jan 15, 2000

Rockford

GEORGIA A. KITTLE, 53, died at 11:40 a.m. Jan. 14, 2000, at Wood County Hospital , Bowling Green . She was born July 28, 1946, in
Sullivan , Ind. , to Carl Albert and Nellie Mae (Alumbaugh) Pugh, who survive. On Dec 19, 1964, she married Gordon Kittle, who survives. Mrs. Kittle was employed by Shane Hill Nursing Home. She was a member of New Horizon Church and a former member of Otterbein Church of Christ. Survivors also include two sons, Ricky (Monica) Kittle of Willshire and Travis (Brenda) Kittle of Van Wert; three brothers, Paul Kittle,
John Kittle and Willard Kittle, all of Portage, Ind.; three sisters, Linda Brasser and Becky Pugh, both of Portage, Ind., and Caroline Lewis of Terre Haute, Ind.; three grandchildren and a step-granddaughter. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford . The Rev. James Sturgeon will officiate. Burial will be in Mercer Memory Gardens, Celina. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.  

Lima News
Mar 15, 1981

CELINA - Mrs. Myrtle Brandt, 74, of here died at 1:40 am. Saturday In Joint Township Memorial Hospital at St Marys She was born Dec 28. 1906. in
Mercer County, the daughter of Leroy and Catherine (Hoenie) Pierstorff. On Jan. 25, 1930. she married Emil Brandt, who died Dec.19,1954. Mrs. Brandt was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. Chattanooga. Services will be 130 p.m Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church. Rev. Gary Anderson officiating .Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Monday at W .H. Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina.  

Lima News
Aug 9, 1991

ROCKFORD - Richard I. Shaffer, 70, of here, died at 8 p.m. Thursday at Van Wert County Hospital. He was born July 5, 1921, in Rockford , the son of Frank and Nellie (Mihm) Shaffer. On Dec. 25, 1944, he married Jane Fishbaugh, who survives. Mr. Shaffer was retired from New Idea, and farming. He was a  member of Olive Branch Church of God. Other survivors include one son, Bruce Shaffer of Celina; four daughters, Mrs. Royce (Barbara Ann) Williams, and Bonnie Jean Shaffer both of Rockford, Mrs. Freed us (Betty Lou) Daniels of Spencerville, and Mrs. Phillip (Beverly) Thorp of Franklin, Ind.; 13 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one brother, Vergil Shaffer of Rockford; and one sister. Mrs. Irvin (Beatrice) Williams of Rockford . Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at W. H. Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina, with Rev. Steven Waterman officiating. Burial will be in Tomlinson Cemetery, Rockford . Friends may call 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.  

Lima News
Nov 4, 1994

DANIEL F. "DANNY" SHAFFER, 63, died at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 3, 1994, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert following a sudden illness. He was born April 27, 1931, in Rockford to Perry and Ruth (Wollet) Shaffer. On Feb. 10, 1951, he married Emma Lou Severns, who survives.  Mr. Shaffer is a lifelong farmer and retired from International Harvester Corp., Fort Wayne , Ind. He graduated from Rockford High School . Survivors also include one son, Gary Shaffer, Rockford ; one daughter, Susie (Don) Shaffer Miller, Rockford ; one sister, Lois L. Shaffer Curth, Findlay ; and three grandchildren. Services will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at W. H. Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina. The Rev. Steve G. Waterman will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery , Rockford . Friends may call from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Rockford Emergency Medical Services, Rockford .

Lima News
Nov 29, 1999

Mendon

CREIGHTON ZEIGLER, 92, died at 6:20 am Nov. 28 1999 at Shane Hill Nursing Home, Rockford. He was born Dec.7, 1906, in Melrose to Charles and Mary (Schein) Zeigler. On Aug. 8,1930, he married Ada M. Nichols, who died April 25, 1985. Mr. Zeigler retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., St. Marys, and was a former fireman and fire chief for the Village of Mendon . He was a member of the Mendon United Methodist Church. Survivors include four sons, Thomas (Nancy) Zeigler of Troy , David (Carol) Zeigler of Strongsville, and Paul (Polly) Zeigler and William (Gloria) Zeigler, both of Celina: four daughters, Mary (Arthur) Finnegan of Celina. Jo (Robert) Mosier and Phyllis (Wayne) Gamble, both of Van Wert, and Carol (Harold) Welker of Troy; two sisters, Rhea Creighlow of Royal Oak, Mich., and Wilma Heffner of Celina, 22 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren. 20 great-grandchildren and four step-great -grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son. James Zeigler. a brother. Earl Zeigler, three sisters, Clara Pond, Frankie Wilson and Miriam Nichols: and a grandson. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday at Mendon United Methodist Church. The Revs. Paul Bunnell and Randy Christian will officiate. Burial will he in Mendon Cemetery Mendon. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at W. H. Dick & Sons Funeral Homes, Mendon, and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.  

Lima News
Feb 17, 1999

Celina

JACK A. GRAY, 68, died at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 16, 1999, at Celina Manor Nursing Home. He was born Nov. 19, 1930, in Celina to Harold "Bill" and Ada (Meyers) Gray. On Dec. 3, 1949, he married Wilma Schnelle, who survives. Mr. Gray retired as a construction worker for the former
Hinton Construction Co., Celina. He was a social member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5713, Celina. Survivors also include five sons. Jack (Diana) Gray Jr., Marc Gray, Timothy (Betsy) Gray, John Gray and Scott dray, all of Celina; a daughter, Lisa Kidder of Celina; two brothers, Marvin Gray and Michael Gray both of Celina; two sisters, Harriet Lee Brookhart and Margie Frahm, both of Celina; 22 grandchildren and 20 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Gray; a daughter, Ginger Gray; a brother. Max Gray; and a grandson. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at W. H. Dick & Sons Funeral Home, Celina. The Rev. Jack Womacks will officiate. Burial will be in Swamp College Cemetery , Celina. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Lima News
Oct 4, 1996

Rockford

EVELYN HUFFMAN, WALLS, 85, died at 7:58 p.m. Oct. 3, 1996, at Shane Hill Nursing Home, Rockford . She was born Nov. 12, 1910,
in Mendon to Gottleib and Maude (Paxson) Fox. On Nov. 12, 1927, she married Harold Huffman, who died April 10, 1964. In 1965, she married Ernest Walls, who died in 1989. Mrs. Walls was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church , Rockford . Survivors include two sons, Norbert E. (Shirley) Huffman of Celina and Doug L. (Linda) Huffman of Rockford; a stepson, Marvin Walls of Leipsic; a daughter, Shirley (Ron) Edwards of Ohio City; three step- daughters, Barbara Merkle and Janet Merkle, both of Van Wert, and Helen Keber of Defiance; two sisters, Nadine Sink of Van Wert and Virginia Stuckey of Bradenton, Fla.; four grandchildren, 21 step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe Fox and Jack Fox; and a sister, Madeline Murphy. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford .Rev. Ray Daniel Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery , Rockford . Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mercer County Hospice or the Mercer County Heart Association.  

Jan 15, 1870
Defiance Democrat

James Watson Riley, an old and well known resident of Northwestern Ohio, and son of the famous traveler, Capt. Riley, died at his residence in Celina on the 30th inst., aged 65 years.

Lima News
Jan 13, 1920

Mrs. Tillie B. Hardin, 37, 905 Arch avenue, died at St. Rita's hospital Monday night, after a short illness. She was born in Fort Recovery and was the daughter of Mrs. Mary Hooper.

A son Senus, two sisters, Edith and Mildred Hardin and two brothers, Herman and Christian all of 905 Arch avenue with the mother survive. Funeral services will be held at St. Johns Catholic church Wednesday at 7:30 o'clock. The body will be accompanied to Fort Recovery for burial.

Mary Ensign,83,died at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Coldwater Community Hospital.
She was born Oct.22,1897, in Clinton County, the daughter of Emery and Olive (Hodson) Patterson. On April 16, 1917, she married Clar­ence Becker, who died in 1938. On July 8, 1948, she married Forest Ensign, who survives.
Survivors also include two sons, Don Becker of Lewiston, Mich., and Marion Becker of Lexington, Ky.; a daughter, Mrs. Paul (Jean) Springer of Montezuma; a stepson, Dr. Hoyt Ensign of Toledo; and three step­daughters, Mercile Bair and Mrs. Ernest (Janice) Evans, both of Celina, and Mrs. Walter (Gladis) Temme of Ellenton, Fla. eight grandchildren; and eight great-­grandchildren.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at W.H. Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina. Burial will be in Ellis Cemetery.
Friends may call until 5 and from 7 to 9 today at the funeral home.

GOLDIE FAHNCKE,89,died at 10:50 p.m. Oct. 17, 1995, in Celina Manor Nursing
Home.
She was born Sept. 20, 1906,in Liberty Township, Mercer County, to Lewis P. and Emma (Alt) Linn. On Sept. 20, 1928 she married Carl Fahncke, who survives.
Mrs. Fahncke was a member and church organist for 40 years at St. Paul Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aid Society.
Survivors also include a brother, Lorin Linn of Celina;
and two sisters, Ala Maurer of Rockford and Oma Bader of Celina.
Services will begin at 1:30
p.m. Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rockford. The Rev. Theodore Dockter will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Rockford.

MARGARET M. FAHNCKE, 75, died at 7:35 p.m. Aug. 23, 1995, at her residence. She was born Aug. 11, 1920, in Hopewell Township, Mercer County, to George W. and Freda A. (Regedanz) Smith. On April 12, 1958, she married Paul A. Fahncke, who survives. Mrs. Fahncke was a Mercer County Common Pleas Court reporter under Judge Paul Dull. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and its Lutheran Christian Women, Celina
and a board member of Mercer County Crippled Children and Adults for 30 years. She was valedictorian of her 1938 graduating class at Celina Senior High School and a graduate of Lima Business College. Survivors also include three sons, John (Jerine) Fahncke of Willshire, Joseph (Karen) Fahncke of Rockford and Dr Charles (Debra) Fahncke of Rockville, Md.; a daughter, Dr Sara Fahncke of Maria Stein two brothers, John Smith Celina and Don Smith of Rockford; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant sister. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Celina. The Rev. Theodore Dockter will officiate.
Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Kristy Figley 39, died the afternoon of June 7, 1995, at her residence. ,
She was born Oct. 2, 1955, in Celina, to Eugene and Demaris Hoying Kroft.
Ms. Figley was a bartender at Thompson's Cafe, Celina.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church,
member and past chaplin of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, member of American Legion Auxiliary of Celina, Celina Eagles Lodge and the Loyal Order of the Moose of Celina.
Survivors include a daughter, Nikki Figley, at home; three brothers, Greg Kroft of Marietta, and David Kroft and Steve Kroft, both of Celina; three sisters, Melody Main of Neptune, Jane Bubp of St. Marys and Robin Hall of Celina; and a grandson.
Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church, Celina.
The Rev. William Hoying will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Celina.

MABEL AGNES FIGLEY, 88, died at 8:26 p.m. Dec. 11,1996, at Van Wert County Hospital, Van Wert.
She was born Dec. 5, 1908,near Decatur, Ind., to Grant and Emma Evertt  Strickler. On Oct. 7, 1930, she married
LeDoyle "Farmer" Figley, who survives. Mrs. Figley was a homemaker and a member of the First United Methodist Church, Rockford.
Survivors also include two sons, Dick (Jan) Figley and Keith (Sandy) Figley, both of Rockford; a daughter, Jane
(Virgil) Roebuck of Cridersville; a sister, Ruby Huffman of Berne, Ind.; seven grandchildren and seven great
grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers; a step brother;
and seven sisters. Services will begin at 11 a.m.
Saturday at First United Methodist Church, Rockford. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford

.Lima News
Jan 3, 1940

Celina -

Funeral services will be held at the Carr & Vale Funeral Home Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock for Benjamin F. Mowery, 73, who died at the county home Tuesday afternoon following a brief illness. Surviving are a son, Benjamin F. Mowery Jr., of Celina; one brother Luther Mowery of Wayne; 29 grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. Burial in Swamp College cemetery.