MEDIA RELEASE__Christine Denecker, Ph.D., a Bluffton resident, has been appointed as the University of Findlay’s vice president of academic affairs, effective January 1.
Denecker has served as interim vice president since August 1. She succeeds Darin Fields, Ph.D., who served for 12 years in the role. He remains at UF as an English professor and assists in the institutional research office on University-wide initiatives, including academic program review.
Shirley Mae Hager, 88, passed away on January 13, 2026, at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. Shirley was born August 2, 1937, in Lima to the late Marcus and Cleo (Ebling) Bales. On June 8, 1958, she married George "Samuel" Hager, and he preceded her in death on September 28, 2025.
Mixed Media Art Class: Snowflake (R)($) will be held Tue., Jan. 13 at 6:00 p.m. with Hannah Warwick of Bluffton Art Co. Come prepared to create your own mixed media snowflake using watercolor/pen/paint. Cost is $15 per person and will be taken at the door (cash only, please). Register in person or online. Open to adults, and teens and children with an accompanying adult.
Stan Clemens died at the age of 84 in the early morning on January 11, 2026, having lived a full and in some ways unexpected life.
Stan was born on May 11, 1941, and grew up in Souderton, PA, where his parents, grandparents, and generations before had lived. He was very active in sports and music through his high school years. He graduated from Bluffton College, where he met his wife, Joenita Shetler. He went on to earn his Masters from the University of Indiana and Ph. D. in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina. Stan and Jo have lived in Bluffton, OH, for the past 40 years.
A first-class letter sent by the Icon from Bluffton, Ohio to Bluffton, Ohio took four days this past week. Hand-postmarked about noon on Wednesday, January 7, the letter was received at the Icon PO Box on Saturday, January 10.
Winter Storytimes (R) January 14 through February 25! Join Miss Beth for a time of stories, games, crafts, and lots of fun while developing early literacy skills! Little Ones Storytime is open to ages birth-2 and Pre-K Storytime is open to ages 3-5. When registering, please specify if your child has any food allergies, as snacks are often provided. Register in person or online.
