USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
STEINMETZ
Jerome K. Steinmetz, 54, died Tuesday in his home in Agawam, Mass. He was born in Van Wert on November 12, 1950, to Richard Steinmetz, who survives in Port Charlotte, Fla., and the late Sally (Updegrove) Steinmetz. He has been married for 26 years to the former Deborah Hirn, who also survives.
Mr. Steinmetz was decorated for service to his country as a U.S. Army medic in Vietnam from 1970-71. He was employed by Six Flags and worked in various parks designing and creating signs. He was a 1969 graduate of Van Wert High School.
Jerry was a gentle, soft-spoken man of immense character and integrity. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, son and brother, and a devout Christian. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Jerry was known for his uplifting sense of humor and quick wit, even in the hardest of times.
In addition to his father and wife, survivors include a son, Jason Steinmetz, of New York City, N.Y.,; one daughter, Rachel Steinmetz, of Harrisburg, Ore.; a brother, Tony Steinmetz of Punta Gorda, Fla.; one sister, Beth Verse, also of Port Charlotte, and a grandson, Michael Putman of Van Wert.
He was preceded in death by a son, Samuel Steinmetz, and one brother, Mark Steinmetz.
Funeral services are to be held Monday, October 31, in West Springfield, Mass.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Bible Baptist Church, 575 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA 01089.
GIBSON
E. William "Bill" Gibson, 77, of Convoy, died at 6:43 a.m. Friday, October 28, 2005, at Convoy Care Center in Convoy.
He was born September 20, 1928, in Fort Wayne, Ind., the son of the late William F. and Lola (White) Gibson. He married Jean M. Hildbold, who survives.
Mr. Gibson retired in 1982 as chief tool designer from International Harvester Corporation in Fort Wayne. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Convoy.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Brent (Jamie) Gibson of Convoy; two daughters, Marcia K. (Gary) Drake of Convoy and Karen S. (Mike) McClure of Van Wert; one brother, Gary L. (Jayne) Gibson Sr. of Bluffton, Ind.; nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Bradley M. Gibson.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 2, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Convoy, with the Rev. Jan Berthinee officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Viewing hours are from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the church.
Arrangements were handled by Gearhart, Mack & Jurczyk Funeral Home in Convoy.
POLING
Vernon F. Poling, 80, of Van Wert, died at 1:25 a.m. Friday, October 28, 2005, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.
He was born December 3, 1924, in Van Wert County, the son of the late Homer E. and Susie (Reid) Poling. His parents died when he was very young and he was subsequently raised by his paternal grandmother, Erma Poling. On August 27, 1960, he married Martha Gehres, who survives.
Mr. Poling was retired from Aeroquip Corporation (now Eaton) in Van Wert. He attended St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Van Wert.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a brother, Doyle Poling of Van Wert; one sister, Eloise (Ollen) Jones of Van Wert, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Lloyd Poling.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 31, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Rev. Kenyon Kaehr and Rev. Paul Miller officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, October 30, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the church or a charity of donor's choice.
BROWN
Juanita M. Brown, 85, of Ohio City, died at 10:15 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2005, at Colonial Nursing Home in Rockford.
She was born October 20, 1920, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the lateErnest Sr. and Bessie Harriet (Adelblue) Roberts. On September 19, 1938, she married Joseph Ervin Brown, who died July 22, 1985.
Mrs. Brown owned and operated her beauty shop in Ohio City for more than 50 years. She was a 1938 graduate of Rockford High School and a graduate of Ohio State Beauty Academy in Lima. She was a member of Ohio City Church of God.
Survivors include a son, Jack (Carol) Brown of Ohio City; one daughter, Judy Rutledge of Ohio City; a sister, Sue (John) Mullins of Howe, Ind.; three grandchildren, Paul (Cheryl) Rutledge, Victoria (Steve) Bihn and Aaron (Dawn) Brown, and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Maurice Vaughn Roberts, Robert Roberts and Ernest Roberts Jr., and a sister, Ernestine Alice Webster.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2005, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastors Matt Braun and Paul Rutledge (her grandson) officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are 1:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 1, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Ohio City EMS squad or Ohio City Church of God.
HUNTER
Ronald L. Hunter, 87, of Van Wert, died at 4:30 a.m. Monday, October 31, 2005, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
He was born January 6, 1918, in Glenmore, the son of the late Harlan G. and Minnie (Kohn) Hunter. On October 1, 1944, he married Pauline Stephenson, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Hunter retired from Kennedy Manufacturing Company in Van Wert after 44 years of service. He was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Van Wert. He also belonged to Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1320 in Van Wert, which he served as secretary for 20 years and was also a past governor of the lodge and governor of the lodge ritual staff. He was also a member of Maumee Valley Legion of the Moose Lodge 30 and, in 1976, the Pilgrim Degree, the highest honor in the Moose, was bestowed upon him. He was also a member of the Delphos Eagles and was a 1936 graduate of Van Wert High School.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Sharon (Lynn) Baer of Van Wert, and two grandchildren, Melissa (Robert) Day of Jenera and Bradley Baer of Van Wert.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 3, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. William C. Haggis II officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Viewing hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and Mooseheart.
LALONDE
Mary F. LaLonde, 90, of Van Wert, died at 6:45 p.m. Monday, October 31, 2005, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
She was born December 24, 1914, in Antwerp, N.Y., the daughter of the late William and Isabel (Wallace) Martin. On January 14, 1936, she married Edward J. LaLonde, who died June 16, 1982.
Mrs. LaLonde was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert.
Survivors include two sons, Richard LaLonde of Gordon, W.Va., and Roger LaLonde of Columbia, N.C.; two daughters, Barbara Bislich of Louisville, Ky.., and Mary Alday of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 10 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Raymond "Pete" LaLonde.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 4, in Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point, with Father Charles Obinwa officiating.
There will be no visitation.
Arrangements were handled by Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert.
LONG
Daniel W. Long, 52, of Van Wert, died Monday evening, October 31, 2005, at his residence.
He was born July 31, 1953, in Wolf Lake, Ind., the son of the late Alton and Lois (Parker) Long. On August 30, 1975, in Van Wert, he married Wanda Hargesheimer, who survives at the residence.
Mr. Long was working as a mix technician at the Thyssen-Krupp Budd Company in Van Wert. He was a member of North Union United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert and was chairman of the church’s Board of Trustees. He also coached and participated on the church’s bowling and softball teams and also coached youth baseball in Van Wert for many years.
In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, Bryan, Eric and Nathan Long, all of Van Wert; a brother, Darrol (Judy) Long of Defiance, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Lyle Long, and one sister.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 6, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Mary Ann Tomlinson officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are 2-6 p.m. Saturday, November 5, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to North Union United Methodist Church or the Van Wert Parks Department youth programs.
