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A. Roy Wyse
(January 21, 1923 - February 18, 2015)
A. Roy Wyse, age 92, of Wauseon passed away late Wednesday February 18, 2015. Prior to his retirement he had worked for the German Village Products in Wauseon and had also been a area Dairy Farmer.
Mr. Wyse was born in Wauseon on January 21, 1923 the son of the late Arthur C. and the late Ora C. (Mason) Wyse. On January 4, 1948 he married
the former A. Ferne Kohli and she preceded him in death in 2002. He was preceded in death by his brother Erwin. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Wauseon. Mr. Wyse was a U.S. Army Air Corp veteran of WWII.
Surviving are four sons; Larry (Beverly) Wyse of St. Paul, MN, Toby (Patti) Wyse of Conklin, NY, Gene (Judy) Wyse of Wauseon, Jerry (Roseanna) Wyse of Wauseon, two daughters; Judy Wyse of Wauseon and Angie (Tom)McWatters of Wauseon. Also surviving are grandchildren; Todd (Melanie), Craig (Danielle) and Rob (Laura)Wyse, Matthew (Paige), Joshua, Timothy (Michaela) Wyse, Lydia (Paul) Ericks and Miriam Wyse, Kayla, Kelly and Kaleb Wyse and Jessica, Tommy and Zachary McWatters and great-grandchildren; Tate, Malachi, Nolan, Faith, Cora, Laila, Quinn, Brantley, Remington, Grayson Wyse. Also surviving is one nephew Jim Wyse of Wauseon.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm Sunday February 22, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Wauseon with Pastor John Shirley and Pastor Ron Shipley officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenlawn cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 - 6:00pm on Saturday at the First Baptist Church. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church. The Edgar - Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon has been entrusted with arrangements.
DeFord Richard Schwall
(Died February 21, 2015)
U.S. Veteran
DeFord Richard Schwall of Wauseon, passed away at his home on February 21, at the age of 93.
DeFord was born on October 17, 1921 in the Ohio State University Hospital to Harry Edwin Schwall and Carolyn Vashti Schwall.
DeFord played football for Wauseon High School, and then briefly, for Ohio Northern University. He reported that he quickly discovered that he was not college football material and he turned in his uniform. In June, 1942, one year into law school, he was “invited to join the war effort.”
DeFord served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles”. He was assigned to the 377th PFA. As a qualified glider man, in combat, he was assigned to the 907th GFA, and then as a Forward Observer with the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment where he directed artillery fire in Holland and in Bastogne. He was part of “Operation Market Garden” in 1944, the Allied liberation of Holland. He was awarded three Battle Stars, an Arrow Head, parachutist and glider wings, a Purple Heart with an oak cluster, a Bronze Star, the Division Honors of the Presidential Citation with oak leaf cluster, the Dutch Order of Wilhelm, and the Belgian Fouragere. In 2014, DeFord was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, which recognizes a veteran’s outstanding contributions to his community.
After the war, he returned to ONU to finish his law degree. There he met Lois May Snee of Clairton, PA. They were married
in 1946 after what DeFord called “serious competition from a fraternity brother who was a WWII fighter pilot.” DeFord graduated from ONU with a Doctor of Laws degree.
DeFord and Lois had three children: Susan, currently a French teacher in LaGrange, Illinois; Thomas, a retired attorney and musician residing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Jack, an elementary school teacher, who died from a heart attack at age 32 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
DeFord practiced law in Columbus as a trial attorney prior to joining his father’s insurance firm in Wauseon. His wife, Lois, taught for over twenty - five years in Wauseon schools. She died in 2006. DeFord believed that the future of America is in the hands of our teachers. He established in honor of his wife, Lois, a scholarship fund for Wauseon High School graduates desiring to become teachers.
DeFord was a member of the Wauseon VFW Post #7424, and the DAV. For over 25 years he was Americanism Chairman, and later, Commander of the Wauseon American Legion Post #265
In Wauseon, DeFord served as Sunday School Superintendent of Christ United Methodist Church, President of Fulton County Inter - church Laymen’s Association, President of Wauseon Chamber of Commerce, Secretary of Wauseon Homecoming Committee and of Community Chest Drive, President of Young Republican’s Club, Vice - President of Wauseon PTA, Master of Wauseon Masonic Lodge #0349. In 1992, DeFord was Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall, after having served as the Homecoming announcer for 30 years. In 1993, DeFord was Wauseon’s Citizen of the Year. In 1994 he organized “Celebrate America”, a festival held at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in recognition of the flag and to honor America’s military personnel. In 2003, he coordinated a 26 CD video recording of surviving Fulton County veterans, “That They Shall Not Be Forgotten”, now on file in the local library, the high school, and the Fulton County Museum.
In addition to community service and his dedication to America’s veterans, DeFord enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, water skiing, and downhill skiing.
DeFord is survived by his sisters, Carol Louise Schwall Hackett (Hal, deceased) of Archbold, OH and Mary Matilda Schwall Dickerson Frantz (Robert, deceased, and Gary) of Visalia, CA; his son Thomas Schwall (Judy) of Steamboat Springs, CO, his daughter, Susan Schwall of La Grange, IL; five grandchildren, Laura Clawson of Chicago, IL, John - Mark Clawson of Chicago, IL, Tommy Schwall (Rachel) of Denver, CO, Emily Schwall O‘Winter (Thomas) of Golden, CO, Adam Schwall (Perrin) of Park City, Utah; one great-grandchild Peri Claire O’Winter; and his longtime friend Carol Harmon of Wauseon. DeFord’s younger brother, Thomas (“Tommy”) Christian Schwall was killed in a car accident in 1927.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in DeFord Schwall’s memory be made to the Wauseon American Legion Post #265, Wauseon VFW Post #7424, or the Christ United Methodist Church of Wauseon.
A memorial service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church on Fulton Street, in Wauseon, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 28, 2015 followed by a luncheon at Wauseon VFW Post at 1133 N. Ottokee Street.
Arlene "Tootie" Nafziger
(Died February 24, 2015)
Arlene “Tootie” Nafziger, age 87, of Archbold passed away early Tuesday February 24, 2015 at Hillside Country Living near Bryan, Ohio. Prior to her retirement she had worked for Deluxe Cleaners in Archbold for many years.
Mrs. Nafziger was born in Stryker, Ohio on February 13, 1928 the daughter of Elsie A. Mohr and Earl Dierks. In December 25, 1950 she married
Marlin “Jake “ Nafziger and he survives. She was a member of the Stryker United Brethren Church where she had been active with many of its committees and activities. Spending time with family was always important to Mrs. Nafziger.
Surviving is grandson; Michael (Beth) Harrold of Bryan, grand - daughter; Jennifer Harrold of Bryan and great-grandchildren; Carter, Allison and Lucy Harrold. Preceding her in death were sons; Lynn in 1980 and Todd in 2009. Also preceding her in death was brother Max Dierks.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00am Friday February 27, 2015 at the Stryker United Brethren Church with Pastor Nick Woodall officiating. Interment will follow in the Stryker cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Thursday from 2:00 - 6:00pm. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Stryker United Brethren Church. Online condolences may be made to the family at . The Grisier Funeral Home in Stryker has been entrusted with arrangements.
Walter "Wally" Praet
(February 6, 1924 - March 2, 2015)
U.S. Veteran
Walter “Wally” Vital Praet, 91, formerly of Wauseon, Ohio, passed away at Fairlawn Haven, Archbold, Ohio, on Monday, March 2, 2015. Wally was born on February 6, 1924, to the late Elias and Bertha Praet.
Wally was born in Detroit, Michigan, while on a family visit from Belgium. He lived in Belgium up to the age of 14. While attending school there, Wally learned English, French, Flemish, Belgian, and German. Learning these languages would later play a critical part in his role as a member of the United States Army during World War II. At 14, Wally parents immigrated to the United States and settled in the Detroit area. It is there where Wally had his first job working at the original Tiger Stadium. His job was to clean the locker rooms. Consequently, he often had the opportunity to mingle with the players. It was there that his passion for the Detroit Tigers was born!
In 1936, the Praet family moved to the Henry County area. Wally was enrolled in the Napoleon City Schools and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1941, serving as president of the class. He and several of his high school friends decided to enlist in the Army following graduation. Wally served in the 87th Infantry Division. Because he was fluent in 5 languages, he was assigned to the message center section, which was in charge of sending and receiving messages between artillery headquarters and infantry headquarters. His section also worked with the underground units of France, Belgium, Luxenburg and Germany since they had also been trained in prisoner interrogation. The 87th Division was under command of General Patton’s 3rd army. Following the war, Wally received an Honorable Discharge on February 2, 1946, with the rank of First Sergeant. Upon his discharge, he received 3 bronze stars for his battles at Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe along with a Good Conduct Medal and a Victory Medal World War II. Wally spoke very little about his Army experience during World War II and it is only recently that his family has been told of the many heroic things he and his unit did for their fellow soldiers.
After the war, Wally moved back to the Napoleon area and entered the business world as the manager of a City Loan Agency. In February of 1951, he married
Phyllis Bressler, and the two moved to Wauseon and made their home there. Wally left the City Loan and purchased a Motorists Mutual Insurance Agency where he worked for many years. Several years later, he decided to get his real estate license and begin his own real estate agency/brokerage company. He continued to work part - time during appraisals and selling houses well into his 80s!
In the community of Wauseon, Wally was a member of the VFW Post #7424, the American Legion Post #265, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a very active member of St. Caspar’s Catholic Church and served on the building committee for the new church. Wally was the last living charter member of the Wauseon Lions Club. He and his close friend, Dick Hasselschwert, were the founding members of the Wauseon Lions Club in 1951.
In addition to his work and community involvement, Walter enjoyed traveling to Florida with relatives Wilbur and Lilian Clark; spending time at Little Long Lake, taking bus tours with Phyllis to various casinos, and riding snow mobiles with his good friends, Joe Rychener and Butch Frey. Wally was also an avid bowler and golfer. One of the last trips Wally took was on the Honor Flight to the nation’s capital. He traveled with other veterans to visit the World War II memorial. It was a very special trip to him.
Wally is survived by his wife of 64 years, Phyllis Bressler Praet; his two children, Becky (Larry) Christy and Tracy (Greg) Stotzer - Kuhlman; six grandchildren, Ryan Christy of Bowling Green; Tracy (Ron) Garber of Liberty Center; Trishia (Ryan) Bergquist of Angola, Indiana and Todd (Jamie) Bischoff of Angola, Indiana; Betsy (Mike) Johnson of Nashville, Tennessee; and Lauren Stotzer of Archbold; 13 great grandchildren; and a special friend, Amya, his calico cat. In addition to his parents, Wally was preceded in death by a daughter, Trudy Bischoff, a teacher and school counselor, who died on February 11, 2009.
Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 5, at St. Caspar’s Church, Wauseon. A funeral mass will be conducted at 10:30 AM, Friday, March 6, at St. Caspar’s Catholic Church. The family has requested that memorials be made to St. Caspar Church or to the Wauseon Lion’s Club. The Edgar - Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon has be entrusted with arrangements.
Marion 'Ike' Eicher
WEST UNITY - Marion J. "Ike" Eicher, 90, of West Unity, died Wednesday evening, Oct. 25, 2006, at Harborside Healthcare Northwestern Ohio - Bryan.
Among survivors is his daughter, Carolyn Pfiester.
There will be visitation Friday evening and the funeral will be Saturday morning with arrangements still pending at the Hollingshead - Beck Funeral Home, West Unity.
Dolores (McCarty) Mellott
(1912 - 2006)
Dolores (McCarty) Mellott, age 93, of Bryan, passed away Wednesday morning, Oct. 25, 2006, at the Inn at Fountain Park, Bryan.
Born Nov. 21, 1912, near Waynesfield, Ohio, she was the daughter of Edith Wehner and Benjamin Harrison McCarty.
Mrs. Mellott was a 1929 graduate of Waynesfield High School, and a 1933 graduate of Bluffton College where she received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. She took additional courses at Ohio Northern and Ohio State Universities. She taught four years at York Township High School in Van Wert County including home economics, coaching the girls basketball team and running the lunchroom. She then taught one year at Junction City High School in Perry County before being hired by the Ohio State Agricultural Extension Service as a Home Demonstration agent. She moved to Bryan in 1938, first rooming at the home of Gladys and Ralph Lindsey and then with Peg and Phil Niederaur.
In 1944 she joined the staff of the University of Hawaii and was first sent to the island of Kauai, a year later to Molokai where she taught all phases of home economics to the Women's Clubs and 4 - H clubs.
She returned to Bryan, Ohio and her job as Home Demonstration agent for Williams County in 1946. In 1947, she married
George Vernon Mellott and became involved in all the activities of Bona Vesta Farms, the Mellott Insurance Agency, and the Bona Vesta subdivision. She was the first woman director of the Williams County Fair Board, served as treasurer of the Williams County Tuberculosis Association, was the program director and leader of the Bryan Girl Scouts, and a member of the Bryan Hospital Auxiliary. She also taught Latin, home economics, and served as a substitute teacher in the Bryan High School from 1960 to 1971.
After the death of her husband in 1976, she continued to manage the Bona Vesta apartments and develop Bona Vesta subdivision, attended 15 Elderhostel programs, and traveled to every continent except Antarctica. Her most interesting trips included the Galapagos Islands and the countries (Germany) and islands (Shetland) of her ancestors. She also traveled extensively with her daughter Patsy to unusual destinations, including a cruise on the Kneiper River in the Ukraine and exploration of Churchill, Manitoba, the home of the beluga whales.
She also did volunteer work for the Wesley United Methodist Church, where she was a member. She was also a member of Literary Forum, the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) and the First Families of Ohio, Ohio State and County Genealogical Societies, the Williams County Historical Society, and the Presidents Club at Bluffton University where she established the Mellott McCarty scholarship.
Surviving is one daughter, Patsy Mellott of Glenview, Ill. and one sister, Joan (McCarty) Althaus of St. Louis, Mo. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Mellott; a sister, a brother and her parents.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 27, 2006, from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. at the Burr Funeral Home & Crematory of Bryan. A memorial service will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dwight Bowers officiating. Private family burial will take place at Shiffler cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the George and Dolores Mellott 4 - H Fund at the Bryan Area Foundation, the Wesley United Methodist Church or the Mellott McCarty Scholarship Fund at Bluffton College.
Virginia Koby
(1923 - 2006)
Virginia M. Koby, 83, of rural Bryan, died Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 24, 2006, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Born Feb. 8, 1923, at Edgerton, to Ethel (Goeltzenluchter) and Olin Jewell, she married
Robert H. Koby on April 17, 1948, at Bryan, and he preceded her in death.
A homemaker, she was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church where she was very active in all areas, especially the Christophers and the Shamrock Circle.
Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Nick (Barbara) Kozumplik of Bryan; her son, David (and wife, Loretta) Koby of Bryan; grandchildren, James (Kim) Kozumplik of Bryan, Mrs. Andy (Amy) Kirby of New London, Conn., Rob Koby and Allison Koby, both of Bryan; a great-granddaughter, Alexis Kozumplik of Bryan; and sisters, Evelyn Rohrbaugh of Bryan and Carol Morgan of Edgerton.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Steven Koby; and a brother, Burl Jewell.
Visitation will be Friday from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. in the Oberlin - Ford Funeral Home, Bryan, with the Rosary to be recited at 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bryan, with Father Charles Ritter to officiate. Burial will follow at Fountain Grove cemetery, Bryan.
Memorials may be made to the church, OUTREACH Ministries or an organization of the donor's choice.
Duane Lewis Royal
(1927 - 2006)
LOMPOC, Calif. - Duane Lewis Royal, 79, of Lompoc and formerly of West Unity, Ohio and Bryan, Ohio, died Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006.
Born July 8, 1927, at West Unity, to Lulu Belle and Simeon Royal, he married
Roma Black on Sept. 29, 1954 in Los Angeles, Calif., and she survives.
His family moved to Bryan shortly after his birth and he graduated from Bryan High School in 1945 and was drafted by the Navy that same year. He served in the Navy from 1945 to 1946 and the Marine Corp. from 1951 to 1953.
He attended the University of Illinois, graduating in 1951 with a degree in industrial administration.
While working as a radar mechanic at Northrop Aircraft, he returned to school, graduating from the University of Southern California in 1960 with a degree in electrical engineering. He worked as an electrical engineer at ITT Gilfillan until his retirement in 1982.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints, serving a church mission in Athens Greece from 1982 - 1984.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Brent (Debra) Newbold; sons, Gary (and wife, Patricia) and Bradford (Ronda); brothers Lowell (Eileen) and Joe Royal; brother - in - law Floyd (Fern) Black and 13 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lenore Fleming.
Services were held Monday, Oct. 23, at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in Lompoc.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to your favorite charity in his honor.
Alexandrine R. "Alex" Haskins
(1915 - 2006)
COLDWATER, Mich. - Alexandrine R. "Alex" Haskins, 91, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006, at Evergreen Manor Nursing Home, Montpelier, Ohio.
Born Feb. 14, 1915, at Aurora, Ill., she was the daughter of Theophila (Szwenk) and Anthony Rzepka.
A graduate of St. Charles High School in Coldwater, she was a homemaker and attended St. Charles Catholic Church in Coldwater.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Albert (Minerva Jane) Kwader of Pioneer, Ohio; a son - in - law, Larry Harmon of Monroe; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Charles Rzepka of Bronson, and William Rzepka of Coldwater; and two sisters, Carolyn Nealy of Coldwater and Gloria LaMonte of Mission Viego, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Rosemary Harmon in December of 2004; a brother, Stanley Rzepka; and a sister, Mary Jane Kwasniewski.
Visitation will be Saturday from 1 - 2 p.m. in the Gillespie Funeral Home, Coldwater.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in the funeral home with Father Brian Stanley to officiate. Interment will be in Oak Grove cemetery, Coldwater.
Thompson Funeral Home - Pioneer is in charge of local arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Evergreen Manor Nursing Home Activity Fund.
Mitchel D. Onstott
(1944 - 2006)
Mitchel D. Onstott, 62, of Bryan, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2006, at his residence.
Born July 16, 1944, at Hicksville, he was the son of Evelyn D. (Miller) and Harvey H. Onstott. After attending Hicksville High School, he began his working career as a lineman with the former Wabash Railroad. He also worked for several years as an iron worker.
Surviving are two sons, Mitchel H. Onstott - Hartsock of Montpelier and Michael W. Onstott - Hartsock of West Unity; four grandchildren, Kruz Harrington, Teariegh and Keagen Hartsock and TaSondra Harrington; two sisters, Judy A. Bowers of Bryan and Dennie Jo Yates of Denver, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Charles W. Onstott; and a sister, Sharon L. Peters.
Visitation will be Thursday from 2 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 7 p.m. in the Krill Funeral Home, Bryan.
Memorials may be made to the family.
Vearl E. Tracht
(1921 - 2006)
SANDUSKY - Vearl E. Tracht, 85, of Sandusky, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006, at the Stein Hospice Care Center after a lengthy illness.
Born May 2, 1921, at Farmer, to Dora (Buda) and John Wilcox, she married
Ned E. Tracht in 1947 and he preceded her in death.
She and her husband owned and operated Ned's Inc. and Safety Services Inc. and she served as secretary of both companies.
A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Huron and the Eastern Star, she belonged to various golf and bowling leagues.
Surviving are sons, Robert L. (and wife, Joan) and William N. (Alverna) of Huron; daughters, Lois A. Eggleston of Grove City and Mrs. Ken (Deb) DeChant of Milan; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Virginia Mowery of Fort Wayne, Ind.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded by a sister, Gloris Rosenberry.
A memorial service will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the Smith & Brown Funeral Home, Hicksville, with Kenneth DeChant III to officiate.
Memorials may be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44780 or the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 2500 N. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, OH 43615.
