ChurchFunerals Direct

DEFIANCE, OH - Paul E. Karnes, age 86, died November 29, 2023. Funeral service 11AM December 8, 2023, at Bethel Church, Defiance, OH. For additional information and to view Paul's online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.

PAULDING, OH - Harold E. Osmon, age 91, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2023. He is the son of the late Howard and Pauline Osmon (Shreve), born on March 28, 1932, in Defiance, OH. Harold was a remarkable individual who enriched our lives with his boundless humor, unwavering selflessness, deep spirituality, and profound love for family. Even though he had to drop out of school to help with the family farm, he worked and excelled as a factory worker and eventually a tool maker serving as one of the first CNC operators at Zeller Corporation, where he retired in 1995, after 44 years of service. He even worked a year after as a consultant. Harold was a lifelong member of First Church of God in...

DEFIANCE, OH - Mary Rose Cruz, age 78, of Defiance, died Sunday, November 5, 2023. She is the daughter of the late Paul and Rosa Wagner (Miranda), born on March 19, 1945, in Puerto Rico. Mary graduated from Defiance High School in 1963 and later married the love of her life, Pedro Cruz, on May 29, 1966. Mary was a social butterfly who could talk to anyone with ease. She loved pets, crossword puzzles, and most of all, her family and friends. She will be remembered for her loving and caring ways. Mary genuinely enjoyed taking care of people and was considered a mom to many, not just her own children. Mary leaves behind her daughter, Aimee (Caleb) Baker of Jonesville, MI; siblings, Paul Wagner...

DEFIANCE, OH - Lorna D. Goldenetz, age 103, of Defiance, died on October 22, 2023. She was born to the late Herbert and Anna Behnfeldt (Vorwerk) on October 22, 1920, in Defiance County, OH. Lorna was a 1938 graduate of Tiffin High School; and on January 23, 1943, married her sweetheart, William G. Goldenetz, and began raising a family. Lorna loved reading and belonged to several book clubs. She also enjoyed crocheting. Those that knew Lorna will remember her for her kindness and gentle nature. Lorna is survived by her children, David (Dottie) Goldenetz and Becky Lindeman; brother, Norm Behnfeldt; grandchildren, Tammy (Michael) Hoffman, Jeffery (Angie) Goldenetz, and Bonnie Dorsey, 9 great...

DEFIANCE, OH - Coralee Ann "Corey" Carroll, age 70, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on October 5, 2023. She was born on November 20, 1952, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to the late Albert and Betty (Antoni) Pastor. Corey was a graduate of Bryan High School and retired from Silgan Can Company in 2018. She loved German Shepherds and spent a large portion of her life raising, breeding, training and showing them. She and Dennis enjoyed camping with their family and worshiping our Lord with her church family. In addition to her parents, Corey was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Karen Pastor. Corey is survived by her husband of 30 years, Dennis E. Carroll, whom she married on July 9,...

Michael Patrick Raver, age 65, of Peru, Indiana, passed away on October 4, 2023. Visitation will be Friday, October 13, 2023, from 4PM to 5PM at Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church, 2171 W. Chapel Pike, Marion, Indiana. A service honoring Michael's life will follow at 5PM at the church with Pastor Jim Sonnifield officiating. Flowers may be delivered to the church on Friday between 2PM and 4PM. For additional information and to view Michael's online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.

OAKWOOD, OH - John R. "Bob" Weisenburger Sr., age 86, of Oakwood, OH, died the day before his 87th birthday on Saturday, September 30, 2023. He was the son of the late Donald D. and Mazie Pauline Weisenburger (McCullough), born on October 1, 1936, in Oakwood, OH. On July 23,1955, he and Julia Ann Tumey were united in marriage in Jackson, MI and spent 67 years together before her death in 2022. Bob obtained his license in barbering and began working in Lima in 1954 and opened Bob's Barber Shop in Oakwood in 1959; and he continued working until his accident in June. He also owned and operated Bob & Julie's Restaurant for a number of years. Bob also was a volunteer fireman with the Oakwood...

SHERWOOD, OH - Marjorie L. Rhodes. On Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 5:55PM, Marge, surrounded by her loving family and under home hospice care went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born in rural Mercer County, Ohio on April 5, 1936, the daughter of Edward and Anna (Hone) Schleucher. Marge was a 1954 graduate of Celina High School. On March 20, 1955, she married Sam Rhodes, Jr. She graduated from Bowling Green University with a BS degree, then from Indiana University with a MS degree. She was dearly loved by the many 5th and 6th grade students she taught in the Central Local School District for 33 years, retiring in 2001. She was a member of the Defiance Church of the...

PAULDING, OH - Wilma Sue Doody, formerly Wilma Sue Mullins (Marsh), age 71, of Paulding, OH, succumbed to her battle with cancer on August 14, 2023. She was born on April 19, 1952, in Kenton, OH, to the late Harold Marsh and Virginia Sprang (Castle). Wilma was a 1970 graduate of Kenton High School and worked as a clerk treasurer for the Paulding County Carnegie Library several years prior to her retirement. She was an active member in her church, she loved gift shops, coffee cups, and tote bags. Friends and family will remember her for her love of fudge, her kindness to everyone, and her amazing smile. She was also known for her love of Jesus, her ability to put cranky babies to sleep, and...

DEFIANCE, OH - Jeffery A. Leatherman, 67, of Defiance, succumbed to his battle with cancer on Saturday, July 29, 2023. He was born on February 24, 1956, in Defiance, OH to Ronald Leatherman Sr. and Virginia Sterling (Nicely). Jeff was a 1974 graduate of Defiance High School, and a short time later married his sweetheart, Barbara Altherr, on January 21, 1978, in Defiance, OH. He worked for 26 years at GM, retiring in 2002, and then worked as a custodian at St. Paul's UMC for 20 years retiring in 2022. Jeff was an active member at King's Cross Church in Defiance and served as a Deacon. He also was a former member of St. Paul's UMC. Jeff's passion was coaching youth. He coached Defiance Little...

LEIPSIC, OH - Brian D. Ellerbrock, age 51, of Leipsic, OH, succumbed to his battle with cancer on July 27, 2023. He was born on August 26, 1971, in Lima, OH to Donald and Rosalind Ellerbrock (Carpenter). He was a 1989 graduate of Miller City-New Cleveland High School and a 1993 graduate of the University of Toledo; and later he married his sweetheart, Carrie Pier, on October 15, 1999. Brian worked as a salesman for Verhoff Machine & Welding Inc. for 19 years. In his free time, he enjoyed running, hiking, coaching Little League, teaching King's Kids, acting in skits and plays, and taught VBS. He was a Cub Scout and Lifewise leader, Deacon, Fresh Encounter Woods board member, and was a...

HICKSVILLE, OH - William "Bill" Cleland, Jr., 71, died suddenly on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at his home. He was born on March 18, 1952, to the late William Cleland, Sr. and Doris Cleland (Pedroza) in Hicksville, OH. Bill graduated from Northwest State Community College with an associate degree in Agribusiness and worked as a farmer. On August 10, 2001, he married Rachel Tipton in Fort Wayne, IN. Bill was the Executive Director of the Board for Defiance Area Youth for Christ. Family and friends will remember him as being a good man and provider for his beloved wife, Rachel. In addition to his father, Bill is preceded in death by his brother, Dave Cleland. He leaves behind his wife of 21 years,...

HICKSVILLE, OH - Vernon L. Miller, age 85, of Hicksville, died Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Vancrest of Hicksville. He was born on July 20, 1937, in Allen County, IN to the late Levi and Mary Miller. He attended Milan Center School. Early in his life Vernon was a self-employed farmer and later worked for Crook Miller Handle Factory, Hicksville, OH and retired from Dutch Made Cabinets, Harlan, IN. He also taxied for the Amish for many years, babysat many children, and cared for his mother towards the end of her life. Vernon also loved fishing, Bluegrass music, and Massey Ferguson tractors. He was very musically talented, playing the mandolin, guitar, dobro, and mouth harp. Those who knew Vernon...

TEMPERANCE, MI - Sharon J. Baughman, 85, of Temperance, MI, formerly of Defiance, OH, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Vibrant Life, Temperance, MI. She was born July 18, 1937, in Anniston, AL, the daughter of Joseph and Helen Zerby. On August 14, 1971, she married Carl Baughman, who survives. Sharon was an elementary school teacher for 25 years in both Defiance and several schools in Indiana. She spent most of her teaching career at Slocum Elementary School in Defiance. She was also a longtime tutor, Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, and a foster parent for 10 years. She graduated from Churubusco High School in Churubusco, IN, earned a reading certificate...

DEFIANCE, OH - Anita R. McAdow, age 69, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born on May 23, 1953, to the late Robert and Evelyn Scott (Guilford) in Defiance, OH. Anita worked in factories most of her life and retired from Silgan in Napoleon OH. She loved being outdoors and camping with her family. Those that knew her remember her as a woman dedicated to her family and she always looked forward to any occasion where the family could get together. Anita leaves behind her sons, Joe (Laurie) Froelich and Lenny (Pam Miller) Froelich; daughters, Lori (John Blashfield) Lemmon and Kelli (Joe) Bok; partner, Daniel L. "Danny" Brown; brother, Paul...

CONTINENTAL, OH - Blanche Ellen Rue, age 92, of Continental, passed away on December 13, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born on December 24, 1929, in Defiance, OH to the late Leo & Thelma Caryer (Relyea). She was a 1949 graduate of Payne High School and married her sweetheart, Elbert Morris Rue on June 27, 1953. Blanche worked as a bus driver for Head Start for many years, retiring in the early 90's. She was an active member of the Defiance Church of the Nazarene and loved baking, cooking, gardening, camping, playing cards, and watching old Western movies. Blanche also enjoyed giving away her baked goods to family & friends, which is how she will be remembered by those who...

PAULDING, OH - Robert A. "Bob" Leslie (1949-2022) age 73, passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at the CHP Home Care Hospice Center in Defiance, OH. Bob was born in Paulding, OH on July 1, 1949. He worked as a pet groomer and boarder of many animals throughout his lifetime. Bob always had a green thumb and loved working in his yard. He married Sandra K. Lytle on March 13, 1970, and together they had three children. Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sandra K. Leslie of Paulding, OH; son, Steven (Patty) Leslie of Ft. Wayne, IN; daughters, Melissa Leslie and Nicole (Corey) Harris of Paulding, OH; grandchildren, Griffin and Zachary Leslie of Ft. Wayne, IN, Hailey and Kyle Harris of...

DEFIANCE, OH - Burnell E. Hammons, age 85, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 2, 1936, in Indiana, to the late Burnell H. and Inis Hammons (Butler). Burnell married his life-long sweetheart, Marie Eis, on June 6, 1954, in Defiance, OH and began raising a family. He worked for Pentecostal Church of God as a missionary for 26 years. In his spare time, Burnell enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had a great love of the outdoors, as well as his family. Burnell was a member of the Pentecostal Church of God and will always be remembered for his willingness to help others. Burnell is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marie Hammons;...

DEFIANCE, OHIO - Funeral services for Tommy Hernandez were held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Defiance, OH, with Pastor Vince Cantu officiating. Burial was at Riverside Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special "thank you" to the pallbearers and to Tommy's close friends who donated funds to assist with his funeral. To view his online obituary and video tribute, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.

DEFIANCE, OH - Thomas "Tommy" Ray Hernandez, age 18, of Defiance, passed away suddenly on August 10, 2022 in an automobile accident. He was born on October 24, 2003 to Rudy and Kassie Hernandez in Fort Wayne, IN. He was a 2022 graduate of Defiance High School, where he was very well-known and loved by his classmates. Tommy was also employed by Campbell's Soup Company. He loved spending time with his family and working with his power tools and electronics. Tommy had traits rarely seen in someone so young. He was a hard worker and enjoyed earning money. Often in his spare time he could be found reading his Bible. Family and friends will remember him as a selfless individual, always giving to...

DEFIANCE, OH - Harold Eugene Steinmetz, age 81, of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2022. He was born on July 11, 1941 in Albany, OH to the late Charles and Thelma (McCall) Steinmetz. Harold served in the United States Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and on May 29, 1965 he married the love of his life, Joan (Holland) Steinmetz. He worked as a line operator for Johns Manville for 33 years, retiring in 2004. Harold loved the Lord and was very involved in his church, Bethel Church, in Defiance, where he was an Elder. He was also a Deacon at his previous church, Dayspring Christian Church. He loved planes and enjoyed going to the Air Force Museum with his friends and family....