Obituaries

Jimmie Dale Fruchey, 85, died at 10:51 am, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, Ohio.

He was born Sept. 24, 1932, in Lima, Ohio, to James Galloway and Emma D. (Lusk) Fruchey.  They both preceded him in death.

On Nov. 2, 2002, he married Bonnie Kay (Watkins) Gillespie, at Shawnee Church of Christ.  She survives in Cridersville.

You showed us that funeral directors are people just like us

By Fred Steiner
Gordon Diller’s father, Roger, once reminded us that when you see two or more local Swiss guys talking, pretty soon they are laughing.

So it was with Gordon. Nearly immediately in any conversation with Gordon, you too, were laughing.

It was good-hearted laughing.  The kind of laughing that made you feel good to be part of the everyday experience of a small town.

Beyond that, Gordon proved that funeral directors were human beings. He showed us that funeral directors have emotions beyond grief. 

Was funeral director of Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton

Gordon R. Diller, 67, died Aug. 5, 2018, at Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay.  Gordon was born Dec. 6, 1950, in Pandora to the late Roger and Marjorie (Gratz) Diller. On Dec. 21, 1985 he married Jodi Lugibihl Diller who survives.

Gordon graduated from Pandora-Gilboa High School and then served in the U.S. Navy. Gordon attended Bluffton College and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1977. 

Carolyn Mae Oberly, 86, died Aug. 1, 2018, at her residence. Carolyn was born Jan. 28, 1932, in Allen County, Ohio, to the late Earl and Leah (Cook) Matter. On Dec. 29, 1950 she married Wade Oberly who survives.

Mildred "Milly" Anne Fish, 83, died July 31, 2018 at Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora. Milly was born June 15, 1935, in Paulding County, Ohio, to the late William and Irma (Britsch) Arn.  On Sept. 2, 1955, she married Bernard Fish who preceded her in death on Nov. 6, 1996.

Milly had worked as a housewife and at Triplett Corporation and Peerless Glove Factory both of Bluffton and later at Speedway in Beaverdam.  She was a past member of the Bluffton Hospital Auxiliary and the Order of the Eastern Star.  She had also been a resident helper at Richland Manor Nursing Home. 

Was a volunteer at Mennonite Home, 4-H advisor, BHS graduate

Loretta Mae Creeger Geiser, 80, died July 27, 2018, at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. Loretta was born Sept. 23, 1937, in Bluffton to the late Robert and Ruth (Boutwell) Nonnamaker. On May 8, 1960 she married Larry Creeger and he died Nov. 28, 2007.  She later married Ron Geiser on Nov. 21, 2015 and he survives. 

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