Deborah "Debbie" Welch, 74, passed away October 12, 2026, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. Debbie was born March 27, 1952, in Bluffton to the late Robert and Betty (Davenport) Walters. On July 16, 1970 she married Wayne Welch, who preceded her in death on December 12, 2015.
Debbie graduated from Cory-Rawson High School in 1970. She had a love for music, painting and crafting.
MEDIA RELEASE__Dr. Joy Vaughan, assistant professor of New Testament at Asbury University, will present “The Phenomenal Phenomena: Biblical and Multicultural Accounts of Spirits and Exorcism” at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Yoder Recital Hall as part of Bluffton University's Spiritual Life Week.
Vaughan will compare accounts of spirits and exorcism found in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts with modern day testimonies from cultures around the world.
Fortunately, the August 1933 robbery of Bluffton’s Citizens National Bank isn’t the most notorious chapter in gangster John Dillinger’s career. The four men involved in the heist warned local shopkeepers to stay out of sight. Bullets struck several downtown buildings, but no one was injured. Other details of that day, including the involvement of 14 witnesses, have become part of Bluffton history and legend.
MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton High School is proud to recognize senior Nora Matthews as the September 2026 Student of the Month. The daughter of Brendon and Renee Matthews of Bluffton, Nora has distinguished herself through academics, athletics, leadership, the arts, and service to her school and community.
Nora has excelled academically throughout her high school career, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while taking college-level courses in mathematics at Rhodes State and English and sociology courses through the University of Findlay. Her scholarly achievements have been recognized throughout high school. Matthews obtained academic honors in ninth-grade science and history, tenth-grade English, and eleventh-grade design, chemistry, and government. She is a member of the National Honor Society, BHS Student Senate, and serves as senior class president.
MEDIA RELEASE__The Institute for Civics and Public Policy (ICAPP) has released a new explainer examining the role, benefits, and procedural steps of chartered municipalities in Ohio. Authored by Curtis Ware, Evan Kimmel, and Laureen Childs, the publication, titled "ICAPP Examines: Chartered Cities/Municipalities in Ohio," details how local communities can exercise Home Rule authority to tailor local government structure to community-specific needs.
