All Bluffton Icon News

The Pandora United Methodist Church will host a free community meal on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall, 108 E. Washington St. Pandora.

The menu will be: Tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwich, relish tray, dessert and coffee/punch.

Donald E. Osborne

Donald E. Osborne, 77, of Columbus Grove died at 4 a.m. Jan. 14, 2012 at his residence. He was born Nov. 12, 1934 in Venedocia to Francis and Mabel Miller Osborne. On Oct. 20, 1962 he married Lou Ann Palte and she survives.

Donald retired from Phillips Corp., Ottawa. He attended St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bluffton and was an Army Veteran.

Survivors also include three children, Amy (Paul) Shoppell of Van Wert, Donald C. Osborne of Beaverdam, Anne Osborne of Beaverdam, a grandson, Joseph Shoppell and a granddaughter, Marcy Shoppell.

Downtown talk

Greg Conkling (right) chats with Sam Diller and Melinda Bowden following Friday's chamber breakfast. As guest speaker, Conkling talked about his 25 years at Greg's Pharmacy.

Thelma Gratz 1919-2013

Thelma Gratz, 92, of Bluffton died at 10:05 p.m. Jan. 12, 2012, at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. She was born May 1, 1919, in Warren, Ohio, to Laura Jane Medley Dailey and John Smith Dailey. On Sept. 5, 1943 she married Delbert Gratz and he preceded her in death on Aug. 24, 2000.

Mrs. Gratz graduated from Bluffton College where she majored in religion. She later earned a master's degree in education from Bowling Green State University.

Jesse Henry is not able to play at the Town Hall tonight due to
illness.

According to Wendy Chappell-Dick: Matthew Keeler will take his place, playing a set of Americana tunes. Matt has become known in the area as the "Hurdy-Gurdy Man" and fascinates crowds with the haunting sounds of this exotic instrument from Western Europe.

Brad Fruchey will lead the Bluffton school board in 2012. Fruchey was elected president of the board at its reorganization meeting held Jan. 11. Several other board appointments were made at the meeting.

Renee Smith was appointed to a vacant board seat for a two-year term.

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