Obituaries

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Ethel M. Heldman, 99, formerly of rural Bluffton, died at Good Samaritan Home in Arlington on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010.

Heldman was born July 4, 1911, in Hancock County, to the late George & Dora (Bame) Smith. She married Raymond C. Heldman on Nov. 26, 1932. Raymond preceded her in death on July 1, 2003. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2002.

She is survived by a son, Ronald E. (Marilyn), of Bluffton; and a daughter, Mary E. (Tom) Schoonover, of Platte Lake, Michigan.

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Rosemary Fox

Rosemary Fox, 88, of Arlington, died at 12:10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010 at The Heritage, Findlay. She was born on Dec. 12, 1921, to the late Orville T. and Vera (Hughes) Castor in Arlington. She married Thomas D. Fox on April 25, 1942, in Lawton, Okla., and he survives.

She is also survived by a a daughter, Nancy (Gary) Ruppright of Mt. Cory; two grandsons: Rick and Peter (P.J.); and one great-grandson, Joshua.

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Janet Wilson

Janet M. Wilson, 73, of rural Benton Ridge died at 3:15 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010, at her residence. She was born on Sept. 12,
1936, to Clair and Golda (Young) Schoonover in Benton Ridge. She married David Wilson on Nov. 29, 1968, and he survives.

Mrs. Wilson is also survived by a daughter, Shari L. Schoonover of Benton Ridge; brother, Robert E. (Mary Lou) Schoonover of Benton Ridge; brother-in-law, and Cliff Peterson of Benton Ridge. She was preceded in death by her sister, Doris Peterson.

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Former Bluffton resident Patricia Kay Hilty, 66, died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, after an illness with cancer.

She was preceded in death by her son, Mitchell Todd Hilty. She is survived by her children, Michelle Pekel of Fremont, Mich., Angela and Andrew DeMeester of Zeeland, Mich., Jeremy and Kristin Hilty of Wyoming, Mich.; grandchildren, James and Jennie Pekel Makenna and Christian DeMeester; brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces.

A memorial service took place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at Cornerstone Church, 1675 84th St., SE, Caledonia, Mich. 49316.

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Rayon Boutwell

Rayon J. Boutwell, 94, of Bluffton died at 2:52 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010, at the Hilty Memorial Home in Pandora. Mr. Boutwell was born Jan. 30, 1916, in Orange Township, Hancock County to Burley J. and Emma A. (Heldman) Boutwell. On Feb. 18, 1940, he married Alice Mae Amstutz and she preceded him in death on Aug. 24, 2000.

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James F. Palte, 74, died Aug. 3, 2010, at the Richland Manor in Beaverdam. He was born Jan. 9, 1936, in Putnam County to Edwin and Marcellina Palte who preceded him in death. On Aug. 17, 1957, he married Doris Elaine Fett who survives.

Mr. Palte retired from Lord's Enterprises (Beaverdam Farmers Elevator) after 42 years of service. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bluffton. He was a 1955 graduate of Beaverdam High School.

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