Obituaries

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Arthur E. Gratz, 84, died Oct. 22, 2018, at Hilty Memorial Home in Pandora.  Art was born Jan. 3, 1934, in Bluffton to the late Omer and Wanda (Lora) Gratz.  On Jan. 28, 1986, he married Nancy Kline Gratz who preceded him in death on May 25, 2008.

Art was a 1952 graduate of Pandora-Gilboa High School.  He had been a truck driver for North American Van Lines and member of St. John Mennonite Church in Pandora. 

Survivors include a brother, Alan (Sue) Gratz of Pandora and his many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. 

Was a member of the 1939-40 basketball team that advanced to the state tournament

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Norman Beidler, 93,  of Turlock, Calif., died on Sept. 19, 2018.

Norman was born  Oct. 15, 1924, in Bluffton, Ohio, to parents Harvey and Minnie Beidler. He was a member of the 1939-40 Bluffton High School basketball team that advanced to the state basketball tournament.

He entered the Army shortly after graduating high school and served in Patton's 3rd Army, 249th Corps of Engineers in the European theatre of WWII from 1943-1945. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge.

1969 Pandora-Gilboa HS graduate; involved in agriculture

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Daniel J. Amstutz, 67, of Pandora died  Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, at Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. He was born May 14, 1951, in Bluffton to Fred and Mary (Schmidt) Amstutz.  On Sept. 4, 1971, he married Marty Shank and she survives. 

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Bluffton

Tommy Jennings, 72, died Sept. 12, 2018, at Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center.  Tommy was born April 5, 1946 in Bluffton to the late D. Winston and Ruth (Watt) Jennings.  

Tommy graduated from Bluffton High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict. 

Survivors include a daughter, Michelle; a son, Bradley; two grandsons, Derek (Aleshia) and Tyler; five great grandchildren, Kensington, Kolby, Jaden, Scarlett and Oliver; and a brother, Larry (Tricia).

Tommy was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Caitlin.

And she served there as a volunteer

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Mildred B. Burkholder, 84, of Bluffton died at 10:50 a.m., Oct. 15, 2018, at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.  Millie was born Nov. 15, 1933 in Paintsville, Kentucky, to the late Lacy and Cloie (Lemaster) Brown.  On Aug. 24, 1957, she married David E. Burkholder who preceded her in death on May 10, 2004. 

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Daniel F. Amstutz, 67, of Pandora died Oct. 15, 2018 at Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.  Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.

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