Paulding Progress

PAULDING, OH: John Straka, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at his residence in Paulding, OH. John was born on January 8, 1931 to the late Joseph and Anna (Langel) Straka. On October 9, 1954, he married Maxine Fellers, who survives. For 22 years, John worked for Doty Lithograph before it became Messenger Stationary, where he continued to work for another four years. John also owned his own printing business called Circle Printing. John proudly served in the Army where he received the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars while in Korea. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans in Defiance. John is also survived by his two children: Janice (Daniel) Steusloff,...

PAULDING - Glenn M. Bakle, 62, of Paulding, ran to meet Jesus on the streets of gold at 11:14 p.m. Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Ft Wayne, IN. He was born May 31, 1959 in Defiance to the late Vaughn and Ottillia (Johanns) Bakle. On June 21, 1980 he married Veronica "Roni" Schlegel and she survives in Paulding. He is also survived by two children: Traci (Josh) Koenig and Ryan Bakle both of Paulding; two grandchildren, Jeremiah and Isaiah Koenig; a granddog Chester; ten siblings: Vincent (Nori) Bakle, John (Sandy) Bakle, Walter (Deb) Bakle, Catherine (Calvin) Frank, Rita (Tom) Diaz, Margaret Romoser, Larry (Joyce) Bakle, Gerry (Jean) Bakle, Lee (Karen)...

Mercedes Ramon, age 93, died Friday, October 1, 2021 at her residence. She was born September 24, 1928 in Calhoun County, Texas, daughter of the late Merenza (Gomez) and Guadalupe Leos Cantu. She was an LPN and was formerly employed by Jacob Eaton Home, Paulding retiring in 1993. She was a member of the former St. Mary's Catholic Church of Junction and St. Mary's Catholic Church of Defiance. She is survived by her children: Maria O. Sandoval, Jose (Shalene) Pe?a Jr., and Trudy (Frank) Kirksey; 21 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; and many great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be conducted 1 P.M. Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at the Bethel Christian Church, 14988 Road 209,...

Marissa Kay Ellen English, age 28, died Wednesday, August 4, 2021. She was born May 6, 1993 in Ft. Wayne, IN, daughter of Marlise (Stoller) and the late Larry English. Marissa loved everyone she met and everyone loved her. That determination for life defied every odd and gave us 28 beautiful years. Her smile and laughter were contagious. Marissa's light shone bright and she always captured the heart of everyone who met her (even her "Mr. Hottie" Keith Urban). She is survived by her mom and dad, Marlise and Dewey Darby; grandmother, Elaine Stoller; siblings: Garrett English, Connor Darby, Madison Darby, Shelley Luna and Amanda "Sis" Rinearson; and nephew Levi Stoneburner. Along with...

Rev. Rita K. Brown, 71, of Quinlan, Texas, entered her Heavenly home on Saturday, May 29, 2021. She was born on April 8, 1950, in Columbus, Ohio, to Charles & Pauline (Weaver) Smurr. Rita was born and raised in the Pickerington/Baltimore, Ohio area, and was the fourth of ten children. She always cherished being a part of a large family and her childhood memories. She graduated in 1968 as Salutatorian of Liberty Union High School in Baltimore, Ohio. Rita went on to graduate from the Ohio State Beauty Academy and worked at Nina's Beauty Shop in Lancaster. While very active in her church she felt a call to ministry, where she would be serving and blessing others for years to come....

DEFIANCE, OH - Leatherman, Kelly Ann, age 52, of Defiance, OH, passed away from an unexpected illness on March 22, 2021. She was born on May 25, 1968 in Defiance to Ed and Pat (Burt) Hiler. Kelly worked as a housekeeper for the ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital for over 20 years, where she was well known and respected by her coworkers. She loved walking and exercising with her husband, Roger, and going to Christian concerts. Some of her favorite groups were Mandisa, Crowder, the Newsboys, and many others. She will be most remembered as being bubbly, goofy, and talkative. Kelly had a great work ethic and was an all-around beautiful person. In addition to her parents, Kelly leaves behind...