Obituaries

Retired from M&R Plumbing and Heating in March

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Sharon Kay Locke, 77 of Bluffton died Aug. 31, 2018, at Kindred Hospital in Lima.  Sharon was born Sept. 16, 1940 in Bluffton to the late Donavon and Ruth (Dally) Conrad.  On Sept. 10, 1965, she married William Locke, who survives her in Bluffton.

Sharon worked at Ingalls Restaurant, Millager's Pharmacy, Bluffton College and she retired from M&R Plumbing in March of 2018. She was a member and the treasurer of Emmanuel United Church of Christ for many years.

She led study tours on art and art history; maintained website: Digital Imagine Project

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Mary Ann Sullivan, professor emerita Bluffton University, 77, died on Aug. 22, 2018, at her home in Lima, Ohio.

Mary Ann was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on July 30, 1941, to Raymond W. Miller and Martha Mildred (Cordray) Miller, who preceded her in death.  She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Bill Sullivan, and by her brother, Douglas Miller of Omaha, Nebraska.

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Harold "Butch" R. VanMeter, 75 died Aug. 21, 2018, at the Meadows of Delphos.  Harold was born Dec. 11, 1942 in Bluffton, Ohio, to the late Harold and Frances (Schellenberg) VanMeter.  On Dec. 31, 1982 he married Karen Hamby VanMeter and she survives.

Butch was a road maintenance worker for the Allen County Engineers prior to his retirement after 43 years.  He enjoyed volunteering at the soup kitchen held at Christian Corners Community Center, reading and was an avid NASCAR fan.

Died Aug. 15 after three-year battle with cancer

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Stephen Anthony Cervi (Bluffton resident from 1988-2001) died on Aug. 15, 2018, after a three-year battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife Linda of Kelseyville, California, son Lucas Cervi (Kelly) of St. Paul, Minnesota, daughter Sarah Stockton (Jonathan) of Aurora, Colorado, sister, Laura Cervi of Mesa, Arizona, brother Bruce Cervi (Karen) of Studio City, California, and four grandchildren.

She also taught physical education at Allen East

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Nancy (Dunbar) Barker, 82, died on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, at 9:29 a.m. at Vancrest of Ada.

She was born Dec. 26, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Russell and Hester (Kiler) Dunbar.  On July 27, 1963, she married Harold Duane Barker and he survives in Ada, Ohio.

Surviving are her son: James (Julie) Barker of Bellaire, Texas, and her daughter: Linda (Mike) Meyer of Defiance, Ohio; a sister, Susan (Lowman) McCarley of Walnut Creek, California; three grandchildren Austin and Tyler Meyer and Allie Barker.

Was an Eagle Scout, 33rd degree Mason

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Steven A. Sutermeister, a 1963 Bluffton High School graduate of Flushing, Michigan, 72, died Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at Genesys Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Rossell Funeral Home.

Pastor Jim Reid officiating. Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  A Masonic Memorial Service, under the auspices of Lodge #223 will be 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the family for his grandchildren's educational funds.

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