George "Sam" S. Hager, 88, passed away September 28, 2025, at St. Rita's Medical Center.
Sam was born September 12, 1937 in Lima to Oliver and Martha (Mougey) Hager who preceded him in death. On June 8, 1958 he married Shirley Mae (Bales) Hager who survives.
John Lawrence Templin, age 73, died on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio after a long illness.
John was born in Springfield, Ohio on May 17, 1952, to Lawrence and Orletta (Warkentin) Templin, who preceded him in death. He spent his earliest years in Yellow Springs, Ohio, before moving with his family to Bloomington, Indiana in 1956, and then to Bluffton, Ohio in 1961, when his father was hired as an English professor at Bluffton College.
Tarleton "Junior" B. Davis Jr., 79, passed away September 27, 2025, at Bridge Hospice Care Center.
Junior was born February 3, 1946, in St. Mary's, Ohio, to Tarleton and Virginia (Stormes) Davis, who preceded him in death. On October 2, 1970, he married Sharon (Montgomery) Davis, who survives.
SEPT. 29 MEDIA RELEASE__The Hancock County Parkinson’s Network will be accepting grant applications beginning October 1, 2025 from individuals, nonprofits and agencies in Hancock County for projects, programs and initiatives that align with its mission of providing education, resources and support to individuals and caregivers affected by Parkinson’s disease.
LIMA – The Bluffton High School football team lost a Northwest Conference showdown of unbeaten powers 31-21 to Lima Central Catholic in Spartan Stadium on Saturday night, September 27.
Both state-ranked rivals came into the game 5-0 overall and 2-0 in NWC play. After the big win, LCC (6-0) is now tied for first place in the league at 3-0 with Crestview and Columbus Grove.
September 2025 is almost history! Here are the Bluffton Icon's top stories from the week of September 22-28. For a chronological look at Icon content, visit blufftonicon.com/archive.
FROM BPL UPDATE__Bluffton Public Library is offering two classes with advance registration this October, a Watercolor Workshop and Fabric Pumpkin Art.
Watercolor Workshop: Fall landscape (R)($) will be held Thu., Oct. 9 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Local artist Jeanne Crumrine will teach on the lower level of the library. Walk away with your own watercolor art, complete with mat! There is a $10 supply fee at the door (cash only please). Register in person or online. Open to adults, and teens and children with an accompanying adult.
BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls tennis team lost 5-0 to visiting Bryan in the final home dual match of the season on Saturday, September 27.
The Bluffton record dropped to 5-12 after the defeat.
Pirate senior starters Hannah Nieman and Claire Blackburn, and Maize Digby were recognized at their last home match. Digby played early in the season before injury halted her campaign.
Bluffton visits Kenton (2-11, 0-8 WBL) on Monday, Sept. 29 in the season’s final dual match.
KALIDA – The Bluffton High School boys and girls cross country teams competed at the 21-team Wildcat Invitational in Kalida on Saturday, September 27.
The Pirate girls ended up 14th out of 17 teams with 431 points.
Bluffton finished 16th in the field of 21 boys squads with 487 points.
GIRLS RESULTS
Ottawa-Glandorf won the girls team title with 76 points. The Titans edged Napoleon (79) by three points. Van Wert was a distant third at 113.
FROM BPL UPDATE__The next Noon Book Group (R) at Bluffton Public Library meets Wed., Oct. 1 at a slightly later time at 12:30 p.m. and the group will discuss The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.
The author will be joining the group via Zoom. Stop by the library front desk to register and pick up the book, and to receive email updates!
