Carol Marilyn Cheney, 94, died Feb. 16, 2020, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Arlington. Carol was born Feb. 16, 1926, in Bluffton to the late Edgar Ralph and Mabel Margaret (Matter) Montgomery. On Oct. 25, 1949, she married Willis Cheney who preceded her in death on April 10, 1988.
Carol graduated from Mt. Cory High School in 1943 and Tiffin University in 1945. She had been a farm wife and worked at the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima and for the United Mutual Insurance Company of Hancock County. Carol was a member of Bluffton Trinity United Methodist Church.
Joan I. Fleming, 65, died on Sunday, Feb, 9, 2020, at 11:33 a.m. at her residence in Lima.
She was born on July 31, 1954, in Lima, to the late Lester and Evelyn (Wright) Fleming.
She worked in Sales and was a member of the St. Luke Lutheran Church, Lima.
Joan is survived by her sister, Martha (Kenneth) Fitzpatrick of Springfield, Va.; three brothers: Thomas (Sharon) Fleming of LaFayette, Daniel (Linda) Fleming of Bluffton and John (Debra) Fleming of Harrod; and a sister-in-law, Jane (Ken) Madden of Sidney.
Maxine Wince, 86, died on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at 7:48 a.m. at Lima Memorial Health System.
She was born on June 26, 1933, in Johnson County, Kentucky, to the late Floyd and Ocie (May) Bayes. Maxine was previously married to Hobert Wright and he preceded her in death in 1971. On June 20, 1981, Maxine married Glenn E. Wince and he preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 2014.
Maxine retired from Ford Motor Company Lima Engine Plant. She was a homemaker and helped with the family farm. Maxine was an avid gardener and enjoyed quilting, canning and crocheting.
Robert “Bob” Evan Gratz, 92, of Bluffton died at 5:23 p.m., Feb. 7, 2020. He was born July 9, 1927, in Allen County at the family home to the late Christian and Caddie (Cook) Gratz.
Bob graduated from Bluffton High School class of 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduation and served on the aircraft carrier, USS Bon Homme Richard.
Click to read "Remembering Dr. Freed," by Monty Siekerman.
FROM ADA ICON - Former Ohio Northern University President Dr. DeBow Freed. died in his home in Ada on Feb. 8, 2020.
Born Aug. 26, 1925, DeBow Freed grew up on his family’s farm near Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was elected president of his high school class, graduated from Gallatin Tennessee High School at age 17, and was appointed, attended, and graduated from West Point in 1946 when he was 20 years old.
Carol Ann Gibbs, 76, died Jan. 29, 2020, at the Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay. Carol was born July 28, 1943, in Findlay to the late Robert and Evelyn (Coppler) Foltz. On March 19, 1961, she married David Gibbs who preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 2012.
Carol graduated from Findlay High School. She had worked in the laundry department at Mennonite Memorial Home, at Gillette's Bakery in Bluffton, in the shoe department at Elder-Beerman and was a receptionist at H & R Block.
