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Gary Lee Thomas
Died: Friday, September 19, 2003
Age: 49
Gary Lee Thomas, 49, of Van Wert died Friday morning, Sept. 19, 2003, at his residence.
He was born Jan. 10, 1954, in Van Wert, the son of Shirley (Goodwin) Thomas, who survives in Van Wert, and Donald K. Thomas, who preceded him in death on March 9, 1995.
Mr. Thomas currently worked for Greif Bros. in Van Wert and attended Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert.
Other survivors include a brother, Danny K. Thomas of Van Wert.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home, Van Wert, the Rev. Neil Hammons officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is donor’s choice.
Norma Elizabeth Long McGahan
Died: Thursday, September 18, 2003
Age: 92
PAINTSVILLE, Ky. — Norma Elizabeth Long McGahan, 92, of Paintsville, died at 9:50 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, at Highland Regional Medical Center, Prestonsburg, Ky.
She was born Jan. 11, 1911, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Wert and Jenny Longenecker Long. She married Joseph "Joe" McGahan, who preceded her in death in 1960.
Mrs. McGahan was past co-owner of McGahan Feed Store.
Survivors include:
Daughters — Marie Elizabeth McGahan and Marcella Haunhorst, both of Paintsville
One grandchild, a great-grandchild and one great-great-grandchild also survive.
She was preceded in death by a son, Harry Joseph McGahan, who died in 1962.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Harter and Son Funeral Home, Delphos, Mark McKenzie officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Grover Hill.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Arrangements were handled by Jones Preston Funeral Home, Paintsville.
Jerome Gehm
Died: Thursday, September 18, 2003
Age: 88
ROCKFORD — Jerome (Roma) Gehm, 88, of Rockford died at 1:20 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, at Colonial Nursing Home, Rockford.
He was born Sept. 28, 1914, in Liberty Township, Mercer County, the son of the late Jacob and Mary (Alt) Gehm. On Jan. 12, 1946, he married Helen Shivley, who survives.
Mr. Gehm was a retired farmer who had also worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber. He was a member of the Rockford Eagles and St. Pauls United Church of Christ, Rockford, was a Chattanooga Volunteer fireman and served on many church boards.
Other survivors include two daughters, Rita (Richard) Werst and Theresa Berry, both of Celina; one sister, Beulah Pierstorff of Rockford; a sister-in-law, Loretta Gehm of Rockford; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Earl and William; five sisters, Matilda, Bertha, Pearl, Norma and Tuska, and one granddaughter, Heidi.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Pauls United Church of Christ, Rockford, the Rev. John Fleming officiating. Burial will be in church cemetery.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. today at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina, and an hour prior to service Saturday at the church.
Albert J. Louth
Died: Monday, October 13, 2003
Age: 89
DELPHOS — Albert J. Louth, 89, of Delphos died at 10:50 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at Vancrest Health Care Center, Delphos.
He was born Nov. 2, 1913, in Delphos, the son of the late Carl and Bertha (Stopher) Louth.
Mr. Louth worked in sales at Lions, Greggs, Hofeller, Hiatt & Clark, retiring in August 2003. He was a World War II veteran, having served in Tunisia, Sicily, Rome-Arno, southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received six bronze stars, a bronze star medal and a bronze Arrowhead.
Three nephews, Phil (Carolyn) Stump and Dennis (Kathy) Stump, both of Lima, and John (Janice) Louth of Cable, and several great nieces and nephews survive.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Claude Louth, and a sister, Margaret Louth Stump.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Delphos, the Rev. Randy Giesige officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Delphos, with 
military grave rites provided by the Delphos Veterans Council.
Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. today at Harter & Son Funeral Home, Delphos, where a parish wake will be held at 5 p.m. today.
Eloise J. Arend
Died: Monday, October 13, 2003
Age: 68
PAULDING — Eloise J. Arend, 68, died Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at her residence.
She was born July 6, 1935, in Plymouth, Ind., the daughter of the late Archie "Jack" and Bena (Metzger) DeLong. On Feb. 22, 1955, she married Herman G. Arend Jr., who preceded her in death on April 20, 1979.
Survivors include:
Sons — Daniel (Sue) Arend, Donald (Sue) Arend, David (Joanna) Arend, all of Paulding, Douglas (Stephanie) Arend of Haviland and Dana (Caroline) Arend of Oakwood
Daughters — Denise (Ken) Kohart and Deanna Grindstaff, both of Paulding
Twenty-five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene DeLong.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. (EDT) Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Paulding, the Rev. G. Allan Fillman officiating. Burial will be in Live Oak Cemetery, Paulding.
Calling hours are 2:30-9 p.m. (EDT) Thursday with a rosary service at 8 p.m. (EDT) at Den Herder Funeral Home, Paulding, and one hour prior to service time at the church.
Sanjuana R. Stetler
Died: Sunday, October 12, 2003
Age: 54
Sanjuana R. "Jane" Stetler, 54, of Van Wert died at 3:07 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at Van Wert County Hospital.
She was born May 29, 1949, in Hondo, Texas, the daughter of the late Leandro and Gregoria (Rodriguez) Martinez. On Jan. 20, 1968, she married Dale G. Stetler, who survives.
Mrs. Stetler had formerly worked as a cook at I Don’t Care and Country Kitchen restaurants in Van Wert. She had attended the Christian Life Center in Van Wert.
Other survivors include her children, Dale G. (Deb) Stetler Jr. of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Sondra (Pervis) Whitt of Van Wert; six brothers, Rodrigo Martinez, Joe (Connie) Martinez, John (Mary) Pissarro and Rito (Maria) Martinez, all of Van Wert, Lee (Beverly) Martinez of Racine, Wis., and Fred (Ann) Martinez of Convoy; three sisters, Carol Diaz of Van Wert, Maria (Raymond) Casarez of Mississippi and Esperanza (Jake) Valesquez of Puerto Rico, and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Paula Martinez, and a sister, Guadalupe Martinez.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home, Van Wert, the Rev. Scott Fleming officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is to the family.
Caroline D. Hertel
Died: Sunday, October 12, 2003
Age: 72
Caroline D. Hertel, 72, of Van Wert died at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at her residence.
She was born May 21, 1931, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late George and Opal (Ansley) Brown. On April 23, 1948, in Van Wert, she married Wallace H. Hertel, who preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 1986.
Mrs. Hertel retired from J.C. Penney Co. after 36 years of service. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert, American Legion Auxiliary Post 178 of Van Wert and a charter member of the Van Wert Chapter of the Red Hat Club. She served as a volunteer with the Van Wert Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Survivors include one son, Gary L. (Lori) Hertel of Van Wert; two daughters, Deb (Rob) Adams of Van Wert and Pamm (Roger) Kill of Venedocia; seven grandchildren, Eric N. Hertel of Indianapolis, Ind., Aaron L. Hertel, Rebecca Adams, Elizabeth Adams and Robbie Adams, all of Van Wert, and Frank Kill and Travis Kill, both of Venedocia; two stepgrandsons, Luke Shaffer and Logan Shaffer, both of Van Wert; three great-grandchildren, and a stepsister, Anne Wells of Van Wert.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, Van Wert, the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Blue Creek Cemetery, Haviland.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Brickner Funeral Home, Van Wert, and from 10 a.m. to time of service Wednesday at the church.
Preferred memorial is the Van Wert Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Carl W. Becker
Died: Saturday, October 11, 2003
Age: 94
SPENCERVILLE — Carl W. Becker, 94, of rural Spencerville, died at 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at his home following an extended illness.
He was born July 24, 1909, in Jennings Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late George P. and Gertha Rempfer Becker. On Sept. 3, 1966, married Evon Gaberdiel Major, who survives.
Mr. Becker was a lifelong farmer.
Other survivors include:
Children — Mary Jeanne (Rev. Jim) Shaner of Kalkaska, Mich., Maetta (Kevin) Kellermeyer of Yorktown, Ind., Myron J. Major of Garfield Heights, Byron J. (Anna) Major of Swartz Creek, Mich., and Belinda K. (Mark) Sandy of Raleigh, N.C.
Brothers — Robert Becker of Wapakoneta and Forest (Bart) Becker of Oklahoma City, Okla.
Sister — Mary (Bob) Burson of Kissimmee, Fla.
Sixteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive.
He was preceded in death by a grandchild and three brothers, Harold, Maurice and Wayne Becker.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home, Spencerville, the Revs. Jim Shaner and Chad Finney and Carl’s family officiating. Burial will be in Spencerville Cemetery.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today and after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
