USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
BURDG
Devin Mykal Burdg, 4-month-old son of Benny Graylon and Chasity DeShannon Matheny Burdg of Van Wert, died at 6:50 a.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at Children's Hospital in Columbus.
Other survivors include a brother, Donovan Quade Burdg, at home; paternal grandmother Joyce Smitley of Berne, Ind.; paternal grandfather Benny Buckner of Ripley, Tenn.; a paternal great-grandmother, Sandy Achtermann of Cuyahoga Falls; a maternal grandmother, Sharon Thomas and maternal great-grandmother, Winifred Johnson, both of Van Wert.
He was preceded in death by a maternal grandfather, John Angle.
There will be no public funeral services. Burial will be in Liberty Chapel Cemetery outside Rockford.
Calling hours are 10-11 a.m. Saturday, January 8, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
O'DONNELL
Niall Seamus O'Donnell of Van Wert was stillborn at 12:19 a.m. Monday, January 31, 2005, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was the son of the Rev. Lance A. and Carrie M. (Allen) O'Donnell, who survive at 106 Boyd Ave. in Van Wert. Niall is an ancient O'Donnell name that means "champion." Seamus is the Gaelic form of the English "James," which means "May God Protect."
In addition to his parents, other survivors include two sisters, Siobhan Eilis and Failenn Cristiona, at home; a brother, Aidan Richard, also at home; grandparents Richard and Carol Allen of Albion, Mich., and Kathleen Ann O'Donnell of Fort Wayne, Ind.; cousins, Elizabeth, CarolAnne, Trinity and Emily Allen of Lawrenceville, Ga., along with their parents, Eric and Angela; cousins Reagan, Lincoln and Grant Cutler of Bath, Mich., along with their parents, Matthew and Brooke, and an uncle, Shane Ashley O'Donnell of Orlando, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather and middle-namesake, James Earl O'Donnell, on December 9, 1992; by a stillborn brother, Colm, in May 2002, and by four other stillborn siblings, whose names are known to the Lord.
Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 12, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert, with the Rev. Michael Saylor of Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Rev. Lance O'Donnell of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are an hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund or the Pregnancy Life Center in Van Wert.
Arrangements were handled by Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
DERSHEM
Viola Mae Dershem, 91, formerly of Van Wert, died at 10:55 a.m. Friday, January 28, 2005, at St. Marys Living Center in Grand Rapids, Mich.
She was born April 30, 1913, in Spencerville, the daughter of the late Hugh and Minnie (Lauer) Wolford. In 1935, she married Everett E. Dershem, who died September 3, 1956.
Mrs. Dershem retired from Teleflex Corporation in Van Wert. She was a member of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert.
Survivors include a son, Dennis (Lois) Dershem of Brighton, Mich.; one daughter, Beverly (Harry) Heilman of Comstock Park, Mich.; five grandchildren, Scott (Suzanne) Dershem of West Bloomfield, Mich., Laura (Mike) Manou of Rochester, N.Y., Rodney (Stephanie) Mosier of Fort Wayne, Ind., Dawn (Craig) Brown of Willshire and Brett Mosier of Delphos; four stepgrandchildren, Julie (Steve) Lundburg, Valerie (Jim) Paas, Laura Bakhuyzen and Tim Heilman, all of Comstock Park, Mich.; 12 great-grandchildren, and four stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Francis and Herbert Wolford, and a sister, Carolyn Seibert.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 1, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor W. Clark Williman officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, January 31, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Michigan or St. Marys Living Center in Grand Rapids.
GEISE
Florence A. Geise, 87, of Delphos, died at 3:35 a.m. Thursday, January 6, 2005, at the home of her daughter after a long and fruitful life.
She was born July 17, 1917, in Delphos, the daughter of the late Henry J. and Agnes F. (Trentman) Grothouse. On November 12, 1941, she married William F. Lauf, who was killed in action during World War II on August 2, 1943, in the New Georgia islands in the Pacific. On October 2, 1946, she married William B. Geise, who died September 7, 1991.
Mrs. Geise had been a housekeeper and caregiver for Dr. and Mrs. Howard Illig for over 30 years. She had worked at Westinghouse during World War II. She spent her life raising and caring for her family. She enjoyed cooking, baking, ceramics, Bingo and crossword puzzles. In her later years, she became an avid fan of Ohio State University football and looked forward to watching the Buckeyes each Saturday. She was a lifelong member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos, American Legion Auxiliary 268 in Delphos, of which she had been treasurer for several years, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 3035, also in Delphos.
Survivors include three sons, Dr. William P. Lauf of Lima and former wife, Diane, Roger T. (Linda) Geise of Chillicothe and Gerry (Robin) Geise of Ottawa; two daughters, Janet (Ed) Elchert of Spencerville and Carol (Jeff) Metcalfe of Delphos; 10 grandchildren, Tonya (Erich) Lauf-Wust, Joey Lauf, Michael Lauf, Matt (Andrea Lee) Geise, Andrea J. Geise, Mark (Amy DeLong) Pohlman, Elizabeth (Jay) Backus, Amanda Geise and Doug and Lisa Metcalfe; three stepgrandchildren, Amber (Eric) Adkins and Jason and Taylor Elchert; five great-grandchildren, Marcus, Joren and Jarrett Backus, Elsa Lauf-Wust and Micah Geise; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Eric and Eden Adkins; a dear friend, Bev Thompson, and many other close relatives, friends and neighbors.
She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Daniel R. Pohlman; five brothers, John, Albert, Lee, Arthur and Hilary Grothouse, and two sisters, Viola Wagner and Luella Wittler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 8, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos, with Father Thomas Gorman officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Delphos.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 7, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake ceremony will be held at 7:30 that evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Catholic Church, Delphos Visiting Nurses-Hospice or Equestrian Therapy.
HELMKAMP
Cecile Pauline Helmkamp, 91, of Delphos, died at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2005, at her daughter's residence in Castle Rock, Colo.
She was born June 13, 1913, in Fort Jennings, the daughter of the late Rudolph and Laura (Reckert) Calvelage. On April 1940, she married John F. Helmkamp, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Helmkamp was a homemaker. She graduated from St. John's High School and St. Rita's School of Nursing and was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos and the Delphos Country Club. Her family was her life, her love and her joy.
Survivors include a son, David A. Helmkamp of Delphos; one daughter, Jean A. (Patrick) Mooney of Castle Rock, Colo.; a brother, Hubert Calvelage of Delphos; two granddaughters, Wendy and Lara in Colorado; one great-granddaughter, Maya; a brother-in-law, Charles Huston, and two sisters-in-law, Martha L. Sullivan and Alberta Calvelage.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Calvelage, and one sister, Stasia Huston.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 11, at St. John's Catholic Church in Delphos, with Father Thomas Gorman officiating. Burial will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery in Delphos.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, January 10, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake service will be conducted at 7:30 that evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John's Teacher Endowment Fund.
FORTNEY
Jerry G. "Skeeter" Fortney, 57, of 501 E. Main St., Apt. E, died at 3:39 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2005, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born May 26, 1947, in Van Wert, the son of Esten Marlin and Betty L. (Saylor) Fortney, both of whom survive in Convoy. On September 11, 1964, he married Jill R. Shaw, who also survives.
Mr. Fortney had been a barber for more than 40 years. He was active in Van Wert Civic Theatre, Stage Left Productions and Ohio City youth activities (had coached softball). He was a member of the Van Wert Horseman's Association, the Ohio State Alumni Club and was a golfer and a fisherman. He was a 1965 graduate of Crestview High School.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was survived by four daughters, Lisa (Jeff) Matthews of Ohio City, Nikki (Stan) Dietrich of Columbia City, Ind., J.J. (Mike) Vertrees of Ostrander and Leigh (Jeff) Short of Van Wert; a brother, Jack Fortney of Fort Wayne, Ind.; two sisters, Pam (Dave) Herminghuysen of Van Wert and Jill (Dave) Bauer of Orlando, Fla.; two stepbrothers, Jack (Jeanette) Baumert of Fort Wayne and Carl (Linda) Baumert of Antwerp; a stepsister, Linda (Randy) McNamara of Payne, and seven grandchildren, Ashley and Abby Matthews, India and Cross Dietrich, Austin Vertrees and Kaden and Maisec Short.
He was preceded in death by a grandchild, Westan Dietrich.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Stan Dietrich officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Calling hours are 3-8 p.m. Sunday, January 9, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Van Wert EMS or Ohio City Youth Activities.
TRENTMAN
Patricia L. Trentman, 68, of Landeck, died at 11 a.m. Friday, January 7, 2005, at her residence.
She was born July 8, 1936, in Delphos, the daughter of the late Aloysius and Vera (Martin) Merschman. On June 2, 1956, she married Merlin Trentman, who survives at home.
Mrs. Trentman was a homemaker and also worked at I&K Distributors for 25 years. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Landeck, Catholic Ladies of Columbia Chapter 84, of which she was a past secretary, and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 471 in Delphos. She enjoyed going to county fairs and sewing. She lived for her kids and grandkids.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a stepmother, Correen Merschman of Lima; three sons, Leo Trentman, Bob J. (Doris) Trentman and Dave (Elaine) Trentman, all of Landeck; two daughters, Diane Trentman of Delphos and Mary (Kevin) Youngpeter of Landeck; a brother, Richard Merschman of Cleveland; a stepbrother, Kevin Wieging; six grandchildren, Tiffany Trentman, Todd Trentman, Tim Trentman, Brad Trentman, Krista Youngpeter and Kyle Youngpeter, and one great-grandchild, Tyra Trentman.
She was preceded in death by a stepmother, Lucille Merschman; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Trentman, and a grandson, Ryan Trentman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 12, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Landeck, with Father John Fleck officiating. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Church Cemetery in Landeck.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Monday, January 10, and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 11, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and a CLC service at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, to a Mass or a charity of donor's choice.
