USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
BRANDT
Pauline A. Brandt, 90, formerly of Willshire, died at 3:22 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2003, at The Laurels of Shane Hill in Rockford.
She was born May 19, 1912, in Willshire, the daughter of the late Augustus and Mary (Bollenbacher) Brandt. She never married.
Miss Brandt was a homemaker and a dairy farmer. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chattanooga and belonged to the Ladies' Aid Society of the church.
Survivors include five nephews, Don (Levina) Brandt of Geneva, Ind., Charles Brandt of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Wayne Brandt, Bob Brandt and Glen Brandt, all of Ada, Minn., and four nieces, Esther (Harold) Schweyer of Ohio City, Mary Beebe of Vicksburg, Mich., Martha Pride of Scotts, Mich., and Judy Brandt of Kenai, Ala.
She was preceded in death by six brothers, Rufus, Cornelius, George, Frank, Lester (two in infancy), and two sisters, Leona Dailey and Laurena Witschi.
Funeral services will be conducted at 9 a.m. (EDT) Thursday at Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Ind., the Rev. Thomas Arheit officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.
Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday and an hour prior to services Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Miss Brandt to Zion Lutheran Church in Chattanooga.
CAFFEE
Donna M. Caffee, 85, of Willshire, died at noon Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at The Laurels of Shane Hill in Rockford.
She was born in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, on June 24, 1917, the daughter of the late William Thomas and Charlotte (Voltz) Johns. On August 4, 1935, she married Vernon A. Caffee, who preceded her in death on December 5, 1977.
Mrs. Caffee was a homemaker and a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chattanooga and the Women's Association of the church. She also belonged to the Chattanooga Grange and was a 4-H advisor for many years.
Survivors include a son, Larry (Linda) Caffee of Willshire; two daughters, Connie (J.R.) Brigner of Rockford and Sue (Dick) Wise of Medina; two sisters, Louise Johns of Van Wert and Frances Bonfiglio of Decatur, Ind.; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by brother, Dallas Johns; two sisters, Maxine Tannehill and an infant sister, Wanda, and a grandson.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Thomas P. Arheit officiating. Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Chattanooga.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday and an hour prior to services Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made on behalf of Mrs. Caffee to the Zion Lutheran Women's Association or Darke-Mercer County Hospice in Coldwater.
ELLIS
Mary Jane Ellis, 85, of Delphos, died at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.
She was born December 3, 1917, in Lima, the daughter of the late Edward Lee and Millie (Schinder) Warren. On January 25, 1947, she was united in marriage with Lucien W. Ellis, who survives in Spencerville.
Mrs. Ellis was a licensed practical nurse and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Delphos. She enjoyed quilting.
Survivors include three sons, Donald (Betty) Pierce of South Park, Ga., David Pierce of Frankford, Ky., and Terry (Sue Ellen) Pierce of Spencerville; six daughters, Pat (Bob) Poling and Nona (Frank) Lumpkins, both of Delphos, Lynn (Joe) Wilson of Mount Stearling, Ky., Rose Marie Cooper of Russell's Point, Becky Stubbs of Harrod and Ola (Patrick) Rohrburg of Las Vegas, Nev., and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharon Pierce; one brother, John E. Warren, and a sister, Maxine Bloom.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Walnut Grove Cemetery, the Rev. Dave Howell officiating.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Friday at Harter & Son Memorial Chapel in Delphos.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Ellis to Trinity United Methodist Church in Delphos.
MARONEY
Cora Mericle Maroney, 90, of Lima, died Friday, August 1, 2003, at Shawnee Manor in Lima.
She was born October 13, 1912, in Putnam County, the daughter of the late S. Edward and Elizabeth (Hunt) Good. She first married William R. Mericle Sr., who died in 1959. She then married Matthew Maroney in 1965, and he also preceded her in death.
Mrs. Maroney was the owner of a clock repair shop in Dayton, where she lived for many years, prior to her retirement. During World War II she was employed at the Lima Tank Plant. She was a graduate of Gomer High School. She belonged to Forest Park United Methodist Church in Lima and a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Delphos, where she was a volunteer. She was also among the first group of volunteers for the Delphos Meals on Wheels program.
Survivors include three daughters, Beverly (Dr. John) Carroll of Fort Wayne, Ind., Elaine Hartman of Riverside, Calif., and Carol (Tony) Topp of Celina; a sister, Leota Hindenberg of Clovis, Calif.; a daughter-in-law, Brenda Mericle of Fort Jennings; 15 grandchildren, including special grandchildren Sandy (Glen) Lause, Diana Johnson, Bob (Mary Ann) Garber and Diana Kill; three stepgrandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, including special great-grandchildren Josh Winkler, Steve Hellman, Nathan Garber, Jamie Garber, Kayla Kill and Kimberly Kill; five stepgreat-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren, and a special niece, Becky DeVelbiss.
She was preceded in death by a son, William R. Mericle Jr.; four brothers, Clarence, Ellis, David and Lewis Good; four sisters, Ada May, Edna Granger, Grace Good and Ruth DeVelbiss; a granddaughter, Patricia Mericle, and a grandson-in-law, Daniel Johnson.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Harter & Son Memorial Chapel in Delphos, the Rev. Larry Hopkins officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Delphos.
Calling hours are 2-4 p.m. Sunday and an hour prior to services Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Maroney to St. Rita's Hospice, Forest Park United Methodist Church in Lima or a charity of donor's choice.
RIDENOUR
William Stewart Ridenour, 43, of Delphos, died at 3:15 p.m. Friday, August 1, 2003, as a result of an auto accident on Interstate 75.
He was born June 27, 1960, in Lima, the son of the late Richard W. and Elizabeth Joann (Stewart) Ridenour.
Mr. Ridenour was employed at Beining Contractors. He was an avid fisherman and a man who was greatly loved by many friends and by his family. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include a sister, Jo Ellen (Rick) Johnson of Lima; four brothers, David K. (Patricia) Ridenour, Richard Dale Ridenour and Steven A. Ridenour, all of Lima, and Thomas E. (Sandy) Ridenour of Delphos; a maternal aunt, Mary Jane Robinson of Lima; paternal aunts, Mary Margaret Baber and Mildred Ridenour, both of Lima, and Geraldine Beery of Columbus; one paternal uncle, Donald Ridenour of Lima, and several cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Harter & Son Memorial Chapel in Delphos, the Rev. Terry Brock officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park in Lima.
Calling hours are from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
SWARTZ
Claude Laverne "Tweet" Swartz, 86, of Los Angeles, Calif., and formerly of Delphos, died Monday, August 11, 2003, at his residence.
He was born September 28, 1914, in Delphos, the son of the late Cliffton R. and Hazel (Maxwell) Swartz. He was single.
Mr. Swartz worked in the dry cleaning business in California and loved to travel all over the world.
Survivors include a nephew, Craig (Joyce) Mumaw; two nieces, Pam (Michael) Noonan and Jackie (George) Osting, and a lifelong friend, Edward Krmpotich.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lillian Mumaw and Geraldine Gudakunst.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Some arrangements were made by Harter & Son Funeral Home in Delphos.
BAUER
Elmer J. Bauer, 74, of 5979 Richey Road, Van Wert, died at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
He was born April 28, 1929, in Union Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Oscar J. and Lydia (Storm) Bauer.
Mr. Bauer was a lifelong farmer in Union Township and a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Convoy. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Korean War and was a member of Isaac Van Wert Post 178, American Legion. He also belonged to the Ohio Polka Boosters.
Survivors include a son, John A. (Chris) Bauer of Van Wert; two sisters, Norma VandeMark of Van Wert and Mabel (Merle) Cox of Convoy; a friend, Mary Fogle of Hicksville, and two grandchildren, Kate and Luke Bauer.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Agnes Bauer.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Convoy, with the Rev. Mike Saylor officiating. Burial will be in Redeemer Lutheran Cemetery in rural Convoy.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Bauer to Community Health Professionals-Hospice in Van Wert or the Lutheran Hour of Worship.
