Dean A. Diller, 93, of Anchorage, Alaska and formerly of Pandora passed away July 1, 2025, at Willow Ridge - Betty House in Bluffton. Dean was born March 20, 1932 in Pandora to the late Earl and Alma (Luginbill) Diller. On September 1, 1951, he married Alice (Baer) Diller and she preceded him in death on April 14, 2008. On November 28, 2009 he married Carol (Roten) Diller who survives.
JULY 21 MEDIA RELEASE__Governor DeWine has announced the full membership of his newly-formed Property Tax Reform Working Group. The working group, informally announced during the Governor’s signing of House Bill 96 and associated line-item vetoes, is tasked with thoroughly examining issues related to how to provide meaningful property tax relief to homeowners and businesses while ensuring that funding for local schools, fire, police, EMS, libraries, and developmental disabilities is adequate.
Stratton Auto Sales construction underway on SR 103
By Paula Pyzik Scott
Residential and commercial building permits in Bluffton for the first half of 2025 have a total value of $11.4M. 2025 commercial permits:
Gerken Materials - $6M asphalt plant
Bluffton Schools - $400K artificial turf field
Bluffton University - $272K building demotion (Berky Hall)
Universal U-Store-It - $108K fence
SumiRiko Ohio - $100K storage building
Bluffton Schools - $50K house demolition
Bluffton Senior Center - $17.5K awning (rear entrance)
A commercial project permitted in 2024 and under construction at 262 State Route 103 (south of Wendy’s) is a $6.3M new building for SKRJ LLC (Stratton Auto, 220 N. Main St.).
JULY 21 MEDIA RELEASE__During the Ohio Wildlife Council meeting on Wednesday, July 16, waterfowl hunting zones for the 2026-2030 seasons were amended in three counties following public comments on proposals submitted in April, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
JULY 21 MEDIA RELEASE__Area Agency on Aging 3 is thrilled to announce that its DISH Dining Club initiative received a USAging 2025 Aging Innovations Award. The DISH Dining Club--Dining to Improve Socialization and Health in older adults through the congregate meal program--was among 15 local aging programs to receive Innovations honors during USAging’s 50th Annual Conference and Tradeshow, July 20–23 in Chicago, IL.
The following Bluffton Icon headlines are a recap of stories of local and lasting importance from July 1-15. Find links to April-June Highlights below.
