Obituaries

Worked in Triplett Corp. engineering department

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Robert E. Wagner, 89, died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, at 11:01 a.m. at his residence in Ada, surrounded by his wife and family.

He was born on June 9, 1930, in Hancock County, Ohio, to Louie P. and Helen K. (Nusbaum) Wagner who preceded him in death.  On June 25, 1950, he married Twila L. Henry and she survives in Ada.

Robert formerly worked at the Triplett Electric of Bluffton in the Engineering Department from 1948 to 1953 and he was a lifelong farmer.  He was a lifetime member of the Bethel Church of Christ, Ada.  Robert was a 1948 graduate of Ada High School.

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Samuel L. Smith, 88, died Sept. 29, 2019, at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.  Sam was born Aug. 30, 1931, in Toledo to the late Samuel and Mildred (Gillespie) Smith.  He married Mary Rosella (Shulaw) Smith who survives in Bluffton.

Sam graduated from McComb High School and served for two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  He retired after 20 years as a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.  Sam later worked and retired from General Dynamic where he worked in security.  

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Sara L. Mikesell Stotts, 95, died Sept. 28, 2019, at her residence in Lima. Sara was born Sept. 11, 1924, in Beaverdam to the late Roy and Florence (Walters) Beemer.  She married Richard Mikesell who preceded her in death on Oct. 30, 1971. Sara later married Wilbur Stotts and he preceded her in death.

Sara graduated from Beaverdam High School. She had worked Sylvania Corp. in Ottawa; Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton; and Triplett Corp., Bluffton. Sara was a member of the Beaverdam Church of Christ.

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Samuel L. Smith, 88, of Bluffton died Sept. 29, 2019, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton.  Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.

Was a retired supervisor at Lima Ford Engine Plant

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Bluffton resident Robert "Bob" Lee Blake, 106, died Sept. 27, 2019, at his residence.  Bob was born Aug. 25, 1913 in Van Wert, Ohio, to the late Earl and Della (Hann) Blake.  On July 23, 1933, he married Dorothy Siniff Blake who preceded him in death on Sept. 30, 1994.

Bob retired from Lima Ford Engine Plant where he was a supervisor.  He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bluffton, enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles. 

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Forrest John (Johnny) Welch, 85, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, formerly of Rawson, Ohio, died Tuesday Sept. 24, 2019, at Pruitt Health, Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Johnny was born April 6, 1934, in Putnam County, Ohio to the late John D. and Mamie (Prowant) Welch the fourth eldest of 13 children. On Oct. 19, 1955, he married Carol (Huls) Welch, in San Leandro, California, who survives in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

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