PHOTO Bluffton University / L-R Mary Ramseyer, Christine Denecker, Nancy Schweingruber
MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University recognized three individuals for their outstanding commitment to vocation, community and the university during the President’s Banquet Saturday, Oct. 3.
Dr. Christine (Jolliff ’89) Denecker was awarded the Professional Achievement Award, which recognizes a graduate who has continued the pursuit of intellectual growth and has explored creative avenues in his or her chosen field.
Donald Dean Donovan, 73, passed away in the early morning of October 4, 2026 in his sleep at a nursing facility in Kansas City, Kansas.
He was born June 1, 1953, in Iola, Kansas, to Curtis Almer and Elaine Donovan, who predeceased him.
He leaves 4 children; Angie (Brandon) Clark of Osawatomie Kansas, Livie (Ben) Weber of Barnsdall Oklahoma, Michael (Candy) Sweet and Terry Donovan of Cameron Missouri, 10 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren with more on the way.
DELPHOS__The visiting Bluffton High School girls volleyball team lost the first set, but rallied to beat Delphos Jefferson in a four-game Northwest Conference match on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The Pirate girls improved to 13-7 overall and 5-2 in the NWC with the 22-25, 25-12, 25-19, 25-23 road victory.
DJ fell to 10-10 overall and 2-5 in NWC play after the home defeat.
Gracie Warren led Bluffton with a season-high 15 kills.
MIDDLE POINT__The visiting Bluffton High School boys soccer team shut out Lincolnview 5-0 to win yet another Northwest Conference championship on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The Pirates improved to 7-5-3 overall and finished 3-0 in the NWC after the road win that clinched yet another league crown in the four-team standings.
