LaVerne “Verne” Gene Schirch died on October 1, 2025 at the age of 89. He was born on August 9, 1936, in Bloomington, Illinois to Ernest Raymond Schirch and Opal Bluette (Stahly) Schirch. Reldon Dean (1934-2022) was his only sibling.
LIMA__Hannah Nieman of the Bluffton High School girls tennis team competed on day two of the Div. II sectionals at UNOH on Saturday, October 4.
The Pirate senior ace advanced to the singles semifinals with two wins Thursday to automatically qualify for the Div. II Port Clinton district tournament.
On Saturday, fourth seed Nieman lost to top sectional seed Maggie Schmiedebusch of Ottawa-Glandorf in the semifinals by a score of 6-1, 6-1. Schmiedebusch eventually won the sectional crown 6-3, 6-1 in the title round.
The Bluffton Public Library will host the following events and activities during the week of October 6-11. For further details and dates, visit www.blufftonpubliclibrary.org/library-events.
Monday, October 6
"Open Hours" - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Hummin’ & Strummin’ Song Circle - 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Is Your House Haunted? Property Research Basics (R) - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Bluffton High School girls soccer team received a fourth seed in their 12-team super sectional drawing Sunday due in part to playing a rugged non-league schedule.
The Pirate girls soccer team (7-7-1) will host seventh-seeded local foe Allen East (2-10-1) on Tuesday, October 14. Bluffton defeated the backyard league rival Mustangs 4-0 on Sept. 16 this season.
The Bluffton High School boys soccer team has a tough draw for sectional tournament play. Bluffton (4-9-3) will play Bryan (9-3-1) at Bryan on Wednesday, October 16 in the first round.
The Pirates have played a difficult non-league schedule to toughen them up for tournament play, so their record is deceiving.
The winner advances to face the survivor of the Bath (6-6-3)/Elida (3-7-3) WBL battle on Oct. 21 at Kalida at 7 p.m.
Kenton (8-2-4) plays the Oct. 16 winner between Clearfork and Galion at Shelby Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.
The Bluffton High School volleyball team will play a Blanchard Valley Conference foe in first round tournament play.
The Pirate spikers (14-7) face Elmwood (6-12) in sectional final action on Thursday, October 16 at Ottawa-Glandorf.
The victor plays the O-G (17-4)/Fostoria victor at Kalida in the Northwest 2 district semifinals on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The powerhouse Titan girls are tied for first in the Western Buckeye League at 8-0 with Shawnee.
