USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
ALLEN
Roger E. Allen, 76, of Van Wert, died at 8:55 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2005, at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born April 9, 1929, in Van Wert, the son of the late Ralph L. and Romaine (Knittle) Allen. On September 8, 1957, he married Mary L. Baxter, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Allen retired as an electrical engineer from ITT Aerospace Communications in Fort Wayne after 29 years of service. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1950-1952. He was a 1947 graduate of Van Wert High School and the Coyne Electrical School in 1948. While in the Army, he completed the Signal School on Radar Repair in 1951 and the Ordnance School, Fire Control Repair, in 1952. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Tri-State College in 1958. He was a member of the International Society of Electrical Engineers, was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha national fraternity and was a member of the Tau Sigma Eta honorary engineering society of Tri-State College. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Bradley E. Allen of Russellville, Ala.; two daughters, Nancy (Joe) Talarico of Charlotte, N.C., and Betsy (Dan) Jones of Westerville; one brother, David (Delores) Allen of Van Wert; a sister, Virginia (Harold) Shaw of Van Wert, and seven grandchildren, Eric, Chelsea and Taylor Allen, Maria and Anna Talarico and Scott and Lauren Jones.
He was preceded in death by a son, James Michael Allen.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, July 25, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Tim Burden officiating, assisted by Rev. Paul Miller. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert, where military graveside rites will be performed by the combined honor guards of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert.
Viewing hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brumback Library in Van Wert.
FREEMAN
Mabel I. Freeman, 92, of Winchester, Ind., died Sunday, July 17, 2005, at Millers Merry Manor in Dunkirk, Ind.
She was born July 16, 1913, in Randolph County, Ind., the daughter of the late Leon and Naomi (Owens) Mosier. On December 24, 1935, she married Francis Freeman, who preceded in death.
Mrs. Freeman was a seamstress at the Glove Factory in Montpelier, Ind., and later worked as a caregiver. She was a member of the Circle X Saddle Club in Winchester and had attended Dunkirk Friends Church in her early years. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include a son, David (Karen) Freeman of Van Wert; two daughters, Carolyn Sue Mosier of Pennville, Ind., and Martha Joan Parker of Winchester; 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren, and several cousins.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at Walker Funeral Home in Winchester. Burial will be in Buena Vista Cemetery in Winchester.
Viewing hours are two hours prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Randolph County (Ind.) EMS squad, 110 Hospital Drive, Winchester, IN 47384.
LICHTENSTEIGER
Frederick M. Lichtensteiger, 77, of Ohio City, died at 11:22 a.m. Sunday, July 17, 2005, at Kobecker House in Columbus.
He was born May 16, 1928, in Van Wert, the son of the late Paul and Mary (Pancake) Lichtensteiger. On November 19, 1951, he married Patricia Mae Henry, who died October 9, 1996.
Mr. Lichtensteiger was a lifelong farmer in Van Wert County. He was a graduate of The Ohio State University, with a bachelor's degree in ag engineering that nurtured a lifetime interest in learning and continuing education -- culminating in his active participation in the "Elder Hostel" program. He was a member of the Farm Bureau and an active volunteer in the Van Wert County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Survivors include three sons, Michael (Ruth Ann) Lichtensteiger of Hilliard and David (Janice) Lichtensteiger and Larry Lichtensteiger, both of Ohio City; five daughters, Carol Lichtensteiger of Urbana, Ill., Mary Lichtensteiger of Columbus, Susan (Ron Caldwell) Lichtensteiger of Essex Junction, Vt., Nancy Lichtensteiger of Ohio City and Janet (Clint Don Kelly) Lichtensteiger-Kelly of Milford; two brothers, Karl (Vivian) Lichtensteiger and Dean (Janice) Lichtensteiger, both of Ohio City; three sisters, Martha Lichtensteiger of Upper Arlington, Jo Ann (Bill) Lyon of Marion and Pauline (Scott) Utley of Webster, N.Y.; eight grandchildren, Mark Lichtensteiger of Hilliard, Daniel Caldwell of Essex Junction, Vt., Greg Caldwell of Essex Junction, Vt., and Thomas Lichtensteiger, Leah Lichtensteiger, Travis Lichtensteiger, Elizabeth Lichtensteiger and Lauren Augustine, all of Ohio City, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2005, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross or the American Cancer Society.
POLING
Minnie “Penny” Poling, 90, of Delphos, died at 8:40 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2005, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Delphos.
She was born September 20, 1914, in Dobbin, W.Va., the daughter of the late Herman Faulkner and Columbia Elizabeth (Roadcap) BoBo. On July 21, 1934, she married Harry Mitchel Poling, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Poling was a homemaker and had worked at NuMaude’s restaurant and the Jack & Jill Store, both in Delphos. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Delphos.
Survivors include three sons, Robert (Pat) Poling and Gary Poling, both of Delphos, and Keith (Anita) Poling of Phoenix, Ariz.; a daughter, Betty (Don) Altenburger of Ottoville; one brother, Herman BoBo of Lonaconing, Md.; 20 grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren, and three stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters, and a great-grandchild, Ethan Luke Hageman.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, with the Rev. David Howell officiating.
Viewing hours are an hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Delphos.
ETGEN
Donald R. “Butch” Etgen, 79, of Van Wert, died at 3:35 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2005, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.
He was born September 3, 1925, in Van Wert County, the son of the late Ben and Ethel (Miller) Etgen. He married Bertha Dunno, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Etgen was a retired truck driver and farmer.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Larry J. (Tonya) Etgen and Raymond E. (Sue) Etgen, both of Van Wert; a sister, Geneva (Lonnie) Lambert of Middle Point; four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, David A. Etgen.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, with the Rev. Paul Miller officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in Ridge Township, Van Wert County.
Viewing hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, and an hour prior to services Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Health Professionals-Hospice.
NEUBRECHT
M. Pauline Neubrecht, 85, formerly of rural Van Wert County, died at 11:45 p.m. Saturday, July 30, 2005, at Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community in St. Marys.
She was born July 21, 1920, in Ridge Township, Van Wert County, the daughter of the late David C. and Murlie L. (Roush) Haines. On January 5, 1944, she married Donald R. Neubrecht, who died March 11, 2004.
Mrs. Neubrecht retired in 1969 from Van Wert County Hospital as a surgical nurse. She had also worked at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati in a similar position. She was a graduate of Christ Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati and was a longtime member of the former Ridge United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a sister-in-law, Maxine Prichard of Van Wert, and several nieces and nephews.
A sister, Ruth Cottingham, preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 3, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in Ridge Township.
Viewing hours are from 10 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community in St. Marys.
OECHSLE
Lloyd D. Oechsle, 84, of rural Van Wert, died at 4:35 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2005, at his residence.
He was born October 18, 1920, in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Albert J. and Freida (Wittung) Oechsle. On March 15, 1941, he married his wife of 64 years, Marjorie E. Kampf, who survives at their residence.
Mr. Oechsle was a lifetime farmer in Harrison Township. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in rural Van Wert and belonged to the Van Wert County Farm Bureau.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Paul G. Oechsle of Convoy; one daughter, Sue A. (James) Gallaway of Van Wert; a sister, Wilma Haggerty of Auburn, Ind.; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Ron Fruth officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City.
Viewing hours are 2-8 p.m. Monday, July 25, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Health Professionals-Hospice.
