Oct. 12, 1925-May 20, 2013

E. Joan Schwartz, age 87, died Monday, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Oct. 12, 1925, in Bluffton, Ind., to William and Nora Biberstine.

On July 9, 1944, she married Raymond R. Schwartz at Six Mile Church in Bluffton, Ind. He died in 1987.

Survivors include four daughters: Sharyl (Terry) Odenweller of Delphos; Colleen Schwartz of Hopewell, NJ; Dr. Rhonda (Dr. Charles Moretti) Schwartz of Grand Forks, ND; and Romaine (Clifford) Taylor of Tallahassee, FL; seven grandchildren: Joy (Jeff) Hays, Trisha (Greg) Klausing, Albert (Katherine) B. Kahn III, Luke (Juliann L.) S. Moretti, Dr. Joel Schwartz-Moretti, Katrina (Daniel) Bourque, and Nathaniel Stirn; and eight great-grandchildren: Jake, Lexie, and Leah Hays; Joshua, Tyler, and Ryan Klausing; Abigail and Gabriel Bourque; and sister-in-law Marcile Biberstine of Bluffton, Ind.

Her brother, Lloyd W. Biberstine, also preceded her in death.

Ms. Schwartz graduated from Defiance College, received her Master’s degree from Indiana University, and did post-graduate doctoral work at Toledo University. Her teaching career started at Blue Creek Local for her first four years. She then served as a guidance counselor at Van Wert High School and Lincoln Junior High for a combined total of 28 years. She also taught adult education classes at Vantage Vocational School.

Ms. Schwartz was a past member of the Ohio School Counselors, Lima Area Counselors, Van Wert Mental Health Board, American Association of University Women, and Habitat for Humanity Board.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert, Ohio, where she had served as a deacon and an elder. She recently attended First United Presbyterian Church in Delphos.

A passionate reader since childhood when she learned to read from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, she read everything from Civil War history to poetry. She especially liked to recite Longfellow’s “Hiawatha.” A music lover, she played the clarinet, piano, and keyboard. She decorated her home in an original oriental style. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who called her “G.J.,” enjoyed her unique collection of frogs. Her favorite flower was the Iris, and she was crowned the “Iris Queen” at her 80th iris-themed birthday party. In addition to cheering for the Van Wert Cougars, she was an ardent supporter of college basketball: her alma mater, Indiana University, was her #1 college team. She was also a life-long New York Yankees’ fan.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at Six Mile Church in Bluffton, Ind., Pastor Bruce Holland officiating. Burial will be at Six Mile Cemetery.

Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. Friday at Thoma/Rich, Chaney, and Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton, Ind.

Memorial contributions may be made to Six Mile Church or the Activity Fund at Delphos Vancrest.

Online condolences may be made at www.thomarich.com

April 12, 1913-May 17, 2013

Dorothy M. Kroeger, 100, of Ottawa, died 12:58 p.m. Friday at Putnam Heritage in Ottawa.

She was born April 12, 1913, in Delphos to the late Frank G. and Theresa (Krebs) Metzger.

On May 8, 1937, she married Arthur O. Kroeger, who died May 21, 1984.

Survivors include her children, Gary (Ruthann) Kroeger of Estero, Fla., and Linda (Ronald) Ellerbrock of Ottawa; nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Hyacinth Hofstetter, Delphine Edwards, Eugene H. Metzger, Rudolph Metzger, Paul Metzger and Leonard Metzger.

Dorothy co-owned, with her husband, the former Bell Hardware in Lima. She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa and its Rosary Altar Society.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa, the Rev. Matt Jozefiak officiating. Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Landeck.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Sunday at Love Funeral Home, Ottawa, where a scripture service will begin at 7:50 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Putnam County Hospice or Sts. Peter & Paul Education Foundation.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com

April 10, 1920-May 17, 2013

Clayton E. Clark, 93, of rural Spencerville, died at 1:57 a.m. Friday at St. Rita’s Medical Center, following a short illness.

He was born on April 10, 1920, in York Twp., Van Wert County to Vernon G. and Mary E. Rempfer Clark. Both parents preceded him in death.

He married Ruby M. Wilkins on March 22, 1944. She also preceded him in death on Feb. 4, 2009.

Survivors include two sons, David L. (Tanya) Clark of Lima and Paul D. (Linda) Clark of Antwerp; five grandchildren, Scott Clark of Columbus, Cristal (Jamie) Moore of Grover Hill, Shelly Clark of Spencerville, Sam Elliott of Haviland and Matt (Tera) Elliott of Garrett, Ind.; five great-grandchildren, Andrew and Megan Moore and Alisa, Mason and Ridley Elliott; and two sisters, Martha J. Clark of Venedocia and Mary J. Price of Van Wert.

A sister Clara May Kuhn preceded him in death.

Mr. Clark was a 1939 graduate of the Spencerville High School and was a lifelong farmer, retiring in 2000. He had been a member of the Spencerville Church of the Nazarene and attended the Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert. In addition to his farming, he enjoyed reading, gardening and bird watching.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville, Pastor Steve Savage officiating. Burial will follow in the Wright Cemetery, near Converse.

Friends may call 4-8 p.m. on Monday and after 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Trinity Friends Church.

Condolences may be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Sept. 29, 1930-May 13, 2013

Marilyn A. Robey, 82, of Cairo, died at 4:37 a.m. Monday at Lima Memorial Hospital.

She was born Sept. 29, 1930, in Lima to Frances and Velma T. (Hunt) Davis, who preceded her in death.

On Jan. 1, 1950, she married Albert D. Robey, with whom she shared 42 wonderful years until his passing on Nov. 6, 1992.

Survivors include her best friend, Bill Parsons, of Columbus Grove; three sons, Tom (Barbara) Robey of Hubbard, Jeff (Judy) Robey and Steve (Pam) Robey of Cairo; a daughter, Teena (Ron) Ebbeskotte of Delphos; four brothers, Paul (Lena) Davis of Addison, Ill., Fred (Shirley) Davis and Bill Williams of Gomer and Roger Williams of Yellville, Ark.; a sister, Carol Recker of Lima; nine grandchildren, Kelley (Kevin) Lacey, Karen (Todd) Witt, Susan (Chris) Serenari, Wendy (Adam) Dodge, Jason (Amanda) Robey, Josh (Taylor) Robey, Zach (Kristen) Ebbeskotte, Lindsay Ebbeskotte and Ryan Ebbeskotte; 13 great-grandchildren, Marin Butler, Madden Witt, McKenna Witt, Addison Serenari, Chris Moore, Erin Moore, Earl Smith, Jr., William Smith, Gavin Hutchison, Aiden Robey, Jeron Michael Robey and twins expected in July; a great-great-granddaughter, Rosalie Hope; three stepgrandchildren, Robert (Purita) Buck, Robin (Paul) Hoff and John Williams; and a stepgreat-grandson, Kelton Dodge.

She was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Raymie Williams, who raised her; a grandson, Jeron Steven Robey; a stepgrandson, Richard Buck; a brother, John Williams; and a sister-in-law, Donna Williams.

Mrs. Robey was a graduate of Gomer High School, class 1948, which continues to meet once a month. She had been employed at City Loan & Savings, Warehouse Associates and Otis Wright Trucking, all of Lima. Marilyn was a member of the Gomer United Church of Christ where she held many positions in the church, currently a deaconess. She was a member of the Ladies of Fun and Fellowship of Cairo and the Progressive Mothers Club of Columbus Grove.

She loved to cook, especially homemade noodles and chocolate scotcheroos, taking trips and vacations with Bill, working in the yard and flower garden of which she was very proud. She was a faithful follower of the Bath Wildkittens softball and basketball team.

She loved watching her children and grandchildren sporting events. Marilyn truly enjoyed spending time with family and friends and looked forward to the yearly family vacation to Port Clinton.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Gomer United Church of Christ, Gomer, Pastor Gary Ginter officiating. Burial will be in Cairo Eastside Cemetery, Cairo.

Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove.

Preferred memorials are to the Gomer United Church of Christ Memorial Fund or the church’s organ fund.

Nov. 3, 1916-May 9, 2013

Camilla “Cam” V. Huysman, 96, of Delphos died at 7:35 p.m. Thursday at St. Rita’s Medical Center.

She was born Nov. 3, 1916, in Lexington, Mo., to Dominic J. and Margherita (Gardi) Cei, who preceded her in death.

On April 11, 1942, she married Howard L.Huysman, who died on Sept. 8, 1963.

Survivors include two sons, Donald P. Huysman and Ronald P. (Barbara) Huysman of Delphos; grandson Cpt. Brian (Michelle) Huysman of Washington, D.C.; granddaughter Katrina “Katie” (Roger) Lehman of Ottawa; great-grandson William R. Huysman; great-granddaughter Victoria Lehman; and five nephews and four nieces.

She was also preceded in death by her loving stepfather, S.A. Franchino; a brother, L.T. Col. (Retired) Peter G. (Dorothy) Cei; one nephew and two nieces.

Mrs. Huysman had been employed for 11 years by the federal government and 34 years in private industry. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America and the B.P.O. Elks Auxiliary of Lima and had been a member of the Delphos Country Club. She volunteered at St. Rita’s Medical Center, the American Red Cross, was a Van Wert County poll worker and helped in the St. John’s Mom’s Room and at all the festivals. She was a 1934 graduate of Lexington High School and a 1936 graduate of the Chillicothe, Mo., Business College. She enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles and shopping but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Revs. Thomas Gorman and Chris Bohnsack officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.

Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Sunday at Harter and Schier Funeral home, where a Parish Wake will begin at 7 p.m.

Preferred memorials are to St. John’s Teacher’s Endowment Fund, St. John’s Athletic Department Boosters or St. Rita’s Hospice.

To leave condolences, visit harterandschier.com.