Obituary for Tom E. Latham
Tom E. Latham, 91, of Rawson, passed away on December 27, 2025, at Mennonite Memorial Home. He was born on October 17, 1934, to Paul Scott Latham and Blanche Gertrude Smith Latham.
Tom described himself as a lifelong Rawson man. He was born at home on Rawson’s Main Street, went to school at Rawson, and then graduated from Cory-Rawson High School in 1952. He married the love of his life, Joyce Benroth, on September 2, 1955. They recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Tom’s father, Paul, owned and operated Latham’s Garage in Rawson. Tom worked for and with his father at the garage and Sohio gas station and eventually took over the family business. Tom spoke fondly of his life and work at Rawson. He was a volunteer fireman for 33 years, many of them as fire chief. He was very active in his church, serving many years as a deacon. Tom loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed fishing, reading, and having coffee with friends at the station.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and two children, Melissa Jo (Mark) Newton and John Paul (Cindy) Latham, five grandchildren, Emily Newton, Jessica (Caleb) Arthur, Tyler (Jessica) Latham, Deidre (Tim) Majoy, and Levi Latham. His ten surviving great-grandchildren are Samuel, Revkah, Micah, and Hazel Arthur, Jack, Kace, Cash, and Joel Latham, Jade and Rueben Majoy.
He was predeceased by his parents, his son, Mark A. Latham, brother, Donald D. Latham and sister, Patricia A. Latham Shanfelt.
Visitation will be held at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s name to Mennonite Memorial Home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.coldrencrates.com.
◾️
Stories Posted This Week
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
- Aug. 24 Bluffton Council recap: MHCO duplexes and long range Village planning
- Beaverdam installs AED at village park
- Pirate girls tennis edges St. Mary
- Pirate boys soccer tames Bearcats
- WIP Wednesday: Window on your world
- OPEN POLL: What do farmers wish non-farmers knew?
- 2026 PorchFest preview: LeBlanc Zepplin, CAWZ, Marlena Rock
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- Headlines on the Ada Icon, August 22- 25
- Sue Corle worked for Ohio Northern University
- Pandora's Niese Ag LLC wins 2026 Red Gold Stewardship award
- Goshen College innovation leader to explore AI through a liberal arts lens
- Pirate volleyball loses to Shawnee
- Pirate boys golf sweeps NWC tri
- Figurines and household items recontextualized in "Amusings" exhibit
- Bruce Chesser: A Ceramic Retrospective, Aug. 24-Sept 26
- Bluffton Lions reach 80% of All Abilities Playground fundraising goal