USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
COURTNEY
Bradley Joe Courtney, 49, of Willshire, died at 12:17 a.m. Monday, August 22, 2005, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.
He was born August 2, 1956, in Celina, the son of the late Robert E. and Florence (Shaffer) Courtney. On January 3, 1976, he married Cheryl Huston, who survives in Willshire.
Mr. Courtney was an auto body repairman and a member of American Legion Post 508 in Rockford.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Brandi (Jeff) Miler of Willshire and Melissa (Brad) Pennington of Rockford; a sister, Nancy Jane (Roger) Harlament of Rockford, and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Jean Elaine.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 25, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Neil Hammons officiating.
Viewing hours are 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 24, and an hour prior to services Thursday at the funeral home.
BAUER
Mary B. Bauer, 87, of 2498 John Brown Road, Van Wert, died at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 2, 2005, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born May 15, 1918, in Monterey Township, Putnam County, the daughter of the late Roy Clifford and Laura Dell (Adam) Hitchcock. On June 13, 1940, she married Eugene Robert Mumma, who died August 25, 1980. On April 5, 1986, she married Robert J. Bauer, who survives.
Mrs. Bauer retired after 30 years of teaching, 27 of those at what is now known as Crestview Local Schools. She was a graduate of Middle Point High School, took a two-year course at Bowling Green State University and earned her bachelor's degree form Wright State University. She is a charter member of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert, where she was active in the Gleaners Sunday School class and the Martha Circle. She was a member of the Beta Eta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, Van Wert County Retired Teachers Association, the Ohio Education Association, Van Wert County Farm Bureau, Union Township Improvement Club and the Lady Board of Managers of Van Wert County Hospital.
In addition to her husband, survivors include two daughters, Dianne L. (Jim) Atkins of Port Richey, Fla., and Melva I. (David) Lupton of Oconomowoc, Wis.; two stepdaughters, Rosita (Harry) Nothstine of Derby, Kan., and Shirley (Ronald) Schumm of Van Wert; five grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and five stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by five brothers, J. Gareth Hitchcock, Arthur A. Hitchcock, Victor Ulysses Hitchcock, Jesse Franklin Hitchcock and Roy, in infancy, and a sister, Rosella Ringwald.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 6, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Raymond E. Feeck officiating. Burial will be in Blue Creek Cemetery near Haviland.
Viewing hours are 2-4 ad 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 5, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Evangelical Church or a charity of donor's choice.
MARKWARD
Wilbur Markward, 70, of Delphos, died at 1:35 p.m. Friday, August 26, 2005, at his residence.
He was born March 16, 1935, in Ottoville, the son of the late Alphonse and Rosa (Klima) Markward. On August 27, 1960, he married Lois Fair, who survives in Delphos.
Mr. Markward retired from Ford Motor Company in 1998 after 38 years of service. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and was a life member of American Legion Post 268 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3035, both in Delphos. He also belonged to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos and to Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 471 in Delphos. He was a graduate of Mishawalka High School.
In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, Scott (Nancy) Markward of Delphos, Todd (Cindy) Markward of Van Wert and Mitchell (Melissa) Markward of Middle Point; two daughters, Roxann (Robert) Yant of Defiance and Ronda (Brent) Rasche of Huntingburg, Ind.; three sisters, Alice Wolfinger of Lancaster, Delores Sheeter of Delphos and Beatrice Dray of Fremont; two brothers, Urban Markward of Van Wert and Arthur (Barbara) Markward of Lima, and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Markward, and two sisters, Genevieve Rupert and Valita Grewe.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, August 29, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos, with Father Thomas Gorman officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by the Delphos Veterans Council.
Viewing hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, August 28, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake service will be held at 7:30 that evening.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
WILDER
Nathaniel Robert Wilder, 4 weeks, 15023 Convoy Road, Van Wert, died at 9:28 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 2005, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born July 29, 2005, at Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne, the son of Lucas N. and Marta (Donate-McClure) Wilder, who both survive at home.
Other survivors include paternal grandparents Darrell and Lisa Wilder of Van Wert; maternal grandmothers Teresa Metzger and Audrey E. McClure, both of Van Wert; paternal great-grandparents Bertha Wilder of Van Wert and John and Annabelle McCollum of St. Marys; maternal great-great-grandparents Meredith and Ernestine Springer of Van Wert; six aunts, Shelly (Regan) Waugh, Stacey (Terry) Crowle, Marcy (Chad) Mark, Amanda McClure, Christina Donate-McClure and Heather Wilder, and two uncles Robby Donate-McClure and Jake Wilder.
He was preceded in death by a maternal grandfather, Robert L. McClure, and a paternal great-grandfather, Terrell E. Wilder.
Private family graveside funeral services will be held at Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert, with Pastor W. Clark Williman officiating.
There will be private viewing only.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hope House of Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne.
Arrangements were handled by Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
THOMAS
Patty R. Thomas, 57, of Mendon, died Tuesday, August 30, 2005, at her residence.
She was born November 18, 1947, in Van Wert, the daughter of Virginia Berry and the late Ned Berry. On April 3, 1968, she married Craig Thomas, who survives in Mendon.
Mrs. Thomas was a homemaker and had lived in this area all her life. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Celina.
In addition to her mother and husband, survivors include a son, John Allen Thomas of Paulding; one sister, Sue (Kent) Eichhorn of Decatur, Ind.; a sister-in-law, Dianna (Ben) Kalb of Tulsa, Okla.; two nieces, and one great-niece.
She was preceded in death by two sons, James Arthur and Dale Edwin, and a daughter, Sandy Dee.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 3, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastors James Klausing and Karen Hayes officiating. Burial will be in Mercer Memory Gardens in Celina.
Viewing hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 2, and an hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Celina.
RICE
Becky Louise (Hurless) Rice, 37, of Van Wert, died at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2005, at her residence.
She was born May 2, 1968, in Paulding County, the daughter of Gary L. and Wanda L. (Hurless) Baker, both of whom survive in Van Wert.
Ms. Rice was employed by Crisis Care in Van Wert and formerly worked at Van Wert County Hospital. She was a member of Christian Life Center and Eagles Auxiliary 886, both in Van Wert. She was a 1986 graduate of Van Wert High School.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by a son, Colt Rice, at home; one daughter, Emily Rice of Waterloo, Ind.; a sister, Brenda Ann (Dennis) Mengerink of Middle Point; an aunt and uncle, Ralph (Gloria) Wood; two nieces, Ashley Shugart and Kennedy Mengerink; three nephews, Shane Shugart, Josten Mengerink and Chris Boroff; a great-niece, Kayla Papke; cousins Kendra Papke and Jennifer Wood, and her dog, Baby.
She was preceded in death by grandparents Lloyd and Margie Hurless.
A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 3, at the Christian Life Center on Jennings Road, with Pastor Scott Fleming officiating.
Viewing hours are 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Christian Life Center.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for funeral expenses.
Arrangements were handled by Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
MYERS
Dennis "Speedy" Myers, 60, of Washington, Mo., and formerly of Van Wert, died Tuesday evening, August 23, 2005, at St. John's Mercy Hospital in Washington.
He was born March 6, 1945, in Van Wert, the son of Mary Evelyn (Young) Cole, who resides in Bradenton, Fla., and the late Lloyd Melville "King" Cole. He married Roberta J. Davis, who survives at their residence.
Mr. Myers was a retired employee of Chrysler Corporation. He was a member of American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert and the Elks lodge in Washington, Mo. He was a 1963 graduate of Van Wert High School and served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Upon his return to Van Wert, he joined Company C, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry, Ohio National Guard based in Van Wert, was promoted to captain and served as company commander.
In addition to his mother and wife, survivors include two daughters, Rachelle (Derek) Mitchener of Washington, Mo., and Raquel (Dale) Carver of Marthasville, Mo.; a brother, Donn Myers of Bradenton, Fla., and four grandchildren, Jacob, Jordan, Chase and Ella.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 28, at Woodland Cemetery, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating, with military graveside services performed by the combined honors unit of Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert.
Viewing hours are from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, August 27, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Elks Benevolent Fund.
