Lois Jean (Riesen) Andreas died on August 1, 2026, in Bluffton, Ohio. She was born November 22, 1925, in Hillsboro, KS, to Adolf and Justina (Hiebert) Riesen. Lois Jean grew up on the family farm with her brother Willis, sixteen months her senior, speaking only German until she started school. Her Anabaptist faith developed at the Brudertal Mennonite Church, where her lifelong passion for peace and justice began and she was encouraged to think for herself.
Thomas "Tom" J. Basinger, 78, passed away August 11, 2026, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. Tom was born March 13, 1948, in Lima to the late Marc and Helen (Glancy) Basinger. On June 23, 1973, he married Sarah Steiner Basinger, who preceded him in death on December 18, 2025.
MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University President Dr. Alex Sider will present the State of the University Address at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Yoder Recital Hall.
Sider's presentation, “Reinvest, Reinvent, Reimagine,” will outline Bluffton's emerging strategic plan and provide a look at the university's vision and priorities for the future.
The address will highlight the ways Bluffton is building on its strengths while considering new opportunities to serve students and strengthen the university for generations to come.
The following Bluffton Village Council meeting was held on Monday, August 10, 2026. Mayor Richard Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
SAFETY SERVICES, PERSONNEL AND FINANCE
Phill Talavania reported a future change in the EMS work schedule. The department currently operates on the California Swing Shift Model, a 9-day work cycle where staff members alternate 24 hours on and 24 hours off for 5 consecutive days, then are off for a consecutive 96 hours. Chief Babcock requested that the EMS staff move to a work cycle of 48 hours on duty and 96 hours off duty. He said that after individual meetings with all his staff, this change was well received. This change was approved and will take effect in January 2027.
At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Bluffton Planning Commission will hold a public meeting to consider an application from Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO).
The company is requesting the reclassification of a 15-acre parcel on Augsburger Rd by Willow Ridge from R-I Residential to R-III Residential zoning category.
The reclassification will enable MHCO to further develop senior living housing in Bluffton. The plan is to build duplexes for seniors.
Bluffton's Don Burris joins the Icon's Work In Progress Wednesday series with a full DIY remodel of his 1915 kitchen.
Burris notes that this included "removing five layers of flooring, moving the bathroom door, and having new electric installed.
"I then installed new hickory cabinets, butcher block countertops, subway tile backsplash, laminate flooring and new appliances. I took advantage of the corner windows and installed a corner sink. It was a complete overhaul."
