Wales Lamar Whitt, formerly of Bluffton and most recently of Covenant Woods Retirement Community, Columbus, Ga., died Jan. 1, 2019, at Columbus Hospice.
Wales was born on Oct. 22, 1939, in Greenup County, Kentucky, to Walter and Irene Whitt. Graduating at 16 from South Shore High School, Wales enlisted in the United States Navy in 1956 as an aviation electronics technician. Throughout his 20-year naval career, Wales was stationed across the globe.
Burton Yost, 90, of Bluffton died on Jan. 7, 2019, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. Arrangements are pending at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
Norma Sue Ackerman, 81, of Bluffton died on Jan. 7, 2019. at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. Arrangements are pending at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
Mary L. Blosser, 88, died Jan. 3, 2019, at Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. Mary was born Dec. 22, 1930 in Washington, Illinois, to the late Rufus and Lillian (Lantz) Rich. On March 19, 1955, she married Glenn Blosser who preceded her in death on April 22, 2013.
Mary graduated from Washington Community High School in Washington, Illinois, and received her bachelor's degree in education from Bluffton College. She was an elementary teacher at Carey High School and Cory-Rawson Schools.
Margaret Louise Risser, 90, died Jan. 3, 2019, at Lima Memorial Health System. Margaret was born Nov. 30, 1928, in Gilboa, Ohio, to the late Amos and Pauline (Heuer) DeVore. On June 18, 1949, she married Louis Risser who survives.
Margaret had been a teacher and later worked for the Putnam County Human Services and finally retiring from the Allen County Human Services. She was a member of Pandora United Methodist Church and the Mid-Century Club. Margaret enjoyed reading, sewing and traveling with her husband.
James L. Oberly, 97, died Dec. 31, 2018, at the Hilty Memorial Home in Pandora. James was born Aug. 27, 1921, to the late Reno and Bertha (Hochstettler) Oberly. On July 10, 1943, he married Betty Moffitt Oberly who preceded him in death on April 30, 2001.
James retired from Cooper Tire in Findlay and was also a farmer. He was a member of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Lima Moose Lodge #199, American Legion Post #382, Bluffton, the VFW and the Bluffton Senior Citizens. James enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and was served in the U.S. Navy.
