Obituaries

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Cheryl A. Miller, 71, died March 8, 2021, at Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima. Cheryl was born Aug. 14, 1949, in Bluffton to the late David and Bernice (Scott) Slane. On June 30, 1968, she married Dale A. Miller and he survives.

Cheryl graduated from Lafayette-Jackson High School, obtained her associate's degree from Owens Technical College and a bachelor's degree from the University of Findlay. 

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D. Joan Badertscher, 83, of Dover, Ohio, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021.

Joan grew up near Trail, Ohio, and was a graduate of Walnut Creek High School. She was also a graduate of Bluffton College, where she met her future husband Daryl Badertscher. They were married on June 9, 1957, and celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this past year. Joan began her career teaching elementary education in the Lima City School System.

The family moved to Sugarcreek, Ohio, in 1961 and then to Dover, Ohio, in 1965. 

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Michael "Mike" "Big Ugly" W. Lanham, 45, died on Feb. 24, 2021, at 4:12 p.m., at his residence, after a long battle of a heart disease and diabetes.   

Mike was born Dec. 22, 1975, in Okinawa, Japan, to Michael Lanham and Linda (Lenny) Kinn. On Oct. 5, 2020, he married Stacey (Allemeier) Lanham who survives in Bluffton. 

Mike attended Bluffton High School. He was a part of the Iron Workers Local 290. 

Also worked at McBee Grain, was a Columbus Grove HS grad

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Michael W. McDowell, 71, died at 2:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at his home with his wife by his side, after a long suffering battle with COPD.  

Michael was born May 3, 1949, in Lima, to the late Byron Milton and Mary Jane (Roberts) McDowell. On Nov. 10, 2002, he married Robin (Miles) Klingler McDowell. 

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Dorothy Marie Rayl, 81, died on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, at 5:40 p.m. at Vancrest of Ada.

She was born on March 20, 1939, in Bluffton, Ohio, to the late Lester and Kathryn (Morehead) Ackerman. On June 15, 1957, Dorothy married Gerald Rayl who survives in Ada.

Dorothy is also survived by her two sons and daughter: Kevin (Karen) Rayl, Rodney (Wendy) Rayl and Rebecca Rayl all of Ada; and three grandchildren: Andrew Rayl, Jacob Rayl and Eli Esguerra. 

She was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Ackerman.  

Bluffton native is in five athletic halls of fame

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Click here to read a column "Remembering Bill Ramseyer."
Glen William “Bill” Ramseyer  of Bluffton, died on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, after suffering a cardiac event two days earlier.

Bill was born Nov. 29, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio, to Lloyd and Ferne Ramseyer. His older brother Bob (Alice Ruth) preceded him in death. His sister, Mary Jean Wells (Bob), survives him.

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