Obituaries

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Debra Ann Birchnaugh, 59, passed away February 15, 2022 at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.  Debra was born April 21, 1962 in Bluffton to James and Margaret (Shinaberry) Dray.  On July 11, 1986 she married Kelly Birchnaugh who preceded her in death on August 1, 2015. 

Debra was a 1980 graduate of Cory-Rawson High School.  She was a manager at the Dollar Tree in Lima and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her pets.  

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Sheila Louise Patterson, 80, passed away February 9, 2022 at her residence.  Sheila was born July 15, 1941 in Mansfield, Ohio to John "Jack" and Eileen (Walsh) Miner.  She was previously married to Lowell Weeks and on April 18, 1992 she married John "Tom" Patterson.

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Sheila Patterson, 80, of Bluffton passed away on February 9, 2022 at her residence. 

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bluffton. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton. 

Arrangements are pending at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.

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Norman Ray Thompson, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 7:13 PM at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.  

He was born on August 15, 1942, in Bluffton, Ohio to the late Lewis Raymond and Delora (Winget) Thompson.  On May 14, 1997, Norman married Gloria J. Conrad and she preceded him in death on August 13, 2003.

Norman is survived by his two children: Randy (Laura) Thompson of Pataskala and Kristina Allen of Bellefontaine; a grandson, Hunter Allen; a brother, Richard (Rita) Thompson of Ottawa; and a sister, Norleen (Gene) Neinberg of Pandora. 

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George "Mike" "Wally" Cox, 73, passed away February 7, 2022 at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, Ohio.  Mike was born December 9, 1948 in Lima to George and Lena (Gratz) Cox.  On March 18, 1973 he married Patricia Rockhill Cox.

Mike was a 1967 graduate of Allen East High School and received his associate's degree in Wildlife and Conservation Management from Hocking Hills Technical College.  He was a retired career firefighter for the City of Lima.  Mike was also a 45 year volunteer member of the Bluffton Fire Department retiring as Assistant Chief and had previously served as police officer for the Village of Bluffton.  Mike was a firefighting instructor at Apollo Career Center, Lima and was a past leader for the Bluffton Boy Scout Troop #256.  

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Updated February 6.

Ronald L. Zimmerly Sr., 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Pandora on February 3, 2022.

Ronald was born June 18, 1942 in Bluffton, OH, to Dwight and Jaunita (Weiss) Zimmerly who preceded him in death. On September 1, 1963 he married the love of his life, and best friend, Jill (Borton) Zimmerly. 

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