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.
Did you know a Bluffton High School graduate earned four Super Bowl rings? Neil Schmidt, who might well be the best male athlete to graduate from BHS, was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals. The entire story is at www.BlufftonForever.com.
Playing at home, the Bluffton High School boys basketball team poured in 50 points over the middle quarters to rout visiting Van Buren 86-58 in a non-conference contest Tuesday night, February 15.
The Pirates drained a dozen triples to pave the way to victory.
With the win, the Pirates improved to 18-2, while VB fell to 7-14 after the loss.
Bluffton led 13-5 after the first period before heating up. They then racked up 25 points in each of the second and third periods to build a 63-43 cushion.
A gift from a Bluffton University alumnus and his wife will allow for Bluffton Beavers football games to be played under stadium lights at Alumni Field. 1973 graduate Randy Gade and his wife Debbie made a $300,000 gift to the university for the addition of stadium lights at Salzman Stadium.
The lights will be installed over the summer with work expected to be complete by Aug. 1. Bluffton football’s Sept. 17, 2022, home opener against Adrian College is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start. A special dedication ceremony will take place during the athletic event.
UPDATED FEB. 19: This event has been cancelled due to flooding.
Each February, the National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology coordinate the Great Backyard Bird Count. The Quarry Farm Nature Preserve & Conservation Farm, rural Pandora, invites you to bring your binoculars and join in the count at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 19.
