Dec. 7, 1934

May 8, 2013

John M. Evans, 89, of Van Wert, died at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert.

He was born Dec. 7, 1923, in Chase, Mich., to James R. and Nellie J. (Mohr) Evans, who preceded him in death.

On Aprl 11, 1947, he married Gwen M. George, who died Dec. 4, 2007.

Survivors include children John C.(Jeanette) Evans of Lima, Margaret (Doug) Snyder of Cincinnati and Jean L. (Evans) Graboski of Texas; brothers William B. (Nancy) Evans of Van Wert; sisters Bertha (Von) Now of Massillon and Joann (Robert) Wilkins of New Knoxville; grandchildren Jeremy (Rachael) Evans, Joshua (Jamie) Evans, Justin (Amanda) Evans; Sara (Joshua) Brittingham, Amanda Snyder, Derek Snyder; Ross Graboski; stepgrandchildren, Julia (Matthew) Clark, Jennifer (Eric) Garver and Jessica (David) Roller; and six great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by James D. Evans, who died in World War II; and sisters Nellie Kuhman and Sabina Lodge.

Mr. Evans was a rural mail carrier in Venedocia and Delphos, worked at National Seal in Van Wert, farmed and was a former York Township Clerk. He was a member of Salem Presbyterian Church, Venedocia. John was a World War II veteran, serving from 1943-46 in the European Theatre under General George H. Patton, he was in the 65th Infantry and awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and various other medals and ribbons. He was also a member of the Van Wert American Legion, Spencerville VFW and DAV.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, the Rev. John Medaugh officiating. Burial will be in Venedocia Cemetery, with Military Graveside Services by the Van Wert American Legion and VFW posts.

Friends may call from 2-7 p.m. Friday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory.

Preferred memorials are to Salem Presbyterian Church Improvement Fund or Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

May 2, 1924

May 6, 2013

Paul J. Sever, 89, of Delphos passed away at 3:41 p.m. on Monday at St. Rita’s Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born May 2, 1924, to in Allen County to Joseph and Victoria (Hummer) Sever, who preceded him in death.

On Oct. 5, 1946, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Rose Suever, who survives in Delphos.

Survivors also include a son, Dan “Fuzzy” (Sue) Sever; and three daughters, Pamela Sever, Rebecca (Joe) Saum and Denise (Butch) Conley, all of Delphos; 11 grandchildren, Gavin (Heather) Sever, Jeff (Melissa) Sever, Aaron (Rachel) Sever, Lindsey Sever, Nicole (Greg) McCann, Brent (April Estrada) Zerkel, Colin (Josette) Wannemacher, Dusty (Jessica Barnes) Wannemacher, Shawn Conley, Ryan (Nicole) Conley and Damian (Jessica) Conley; 11 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Alberta Sever, Ella Rose Ulm and Helen Sever; and one brother, Melvin Sever.

Mr. Sever was in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 during World War II, serving as a Carpenter’s Mate 2nd Class. After leaving the service, he drilled water wells with his father for eight years. In 1954, he started Sever Well Drilling, from where he retired in 1989. After retirement, he worked with his son drilling wells until 2000.

He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and life member of the Delphos Eagles Aerie #471, Delphos VFW Post 3035 and the Delphos American Legion Post 268. He was also a member of the Landeck CK of O. He liked to fish, hunt, garden and mushroom hunt. He enjoyed spending time at his cottage at Indian Lake and his home in Florida. In his younger years, he played semi-pro baseball in Fort Wayne.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Rev. Chris Bohnsack officiating. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, with Military Grave Rites given by the Delphos Veterans Council.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday at Harter and Schier Funeral Home, with a Parish Wake held at 7:30.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Delphos Veterans Council or the Delphos Veterans Memorial Park.

June 12, 1936-May 4, 2013

Vera G. Koester, 76, of Delphos, died on Saturday evening at St. Rita’s Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on June 12, 1936, in Delphos to the late Frank and Veronica (Elwer) Osting.

On Sept. 11, 1954, she married James Koester, who survives in Delphos.

She is also survived by two sons, Anthony Koester and Mark (Sherri) Koester, both of Delphos; three daughters, Pamela Ellerbrock, Sue (Bob) Will of Delphos and Kim (Mike) Korte of Fort Jennings; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; four brothers, Moletus, Alvin (Marilyn), Norman (Karen) and Roger Osting; two sisters, LaDonna (Leo) Schmelzer and Earlene (John) Williams; two sisters-in-law, Betty Osting and Ruth Osting.

She was also preceded in death by six brothers, Wilfred, Eugene, Urban, Edward, Louis and Earl; two sisters, Marie Osting and Geraldine Grubenhoff; two brothers-in-law, Jerome Klaus and Edwin Grubenhoff; and three sisters-in-law, Dorothy, Edna and Helen Osting.

Vera was a mother and homemaker and retired from Aeroquip (Eaton) in Van Wert. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s school and sporting events, dancing, eating out with her friends and family and playing cards. In her younger years, she enjoyed woodworking and sewing, where she made hundreds of items for her kids and grandkids.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Rev. Christopher Bohnsack officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Resurrection Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Strayer Funeral Home, Delphos, where a Parish Wake Service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the benevolence of the family.

Condolences may be shared at visiting www.strayerfuneralhome.com

Feb. 15, 1965

April 1, 2013

Ronald E. “Ron” Bitters, 48, of Lima and formerly of Delphos, passed away at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at his residence.

He was born on Feb. 15, 1965 in Lima to Richard E. and Patricia (Copeland) Bitters. His mother survives in Wapakoneta. His father preceded him in death.

Survivors include two daughters, Crystal A. Bitters of Wapakoneta and Kassandra Shulaw of Florida; one granddaughter, Ravyn Bitters of Wapakoneta; one sister, Diana L. Leffler of Lima; three brothers, Richard E. (Teressa) Bitters of DeGraff, Russel E. (Beverly) Bitters of Delphos and Rex E. Bitters of Lima; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Julie Bitters.

Mr. Bitters attended the First Church of the Nazarene and was a former member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. He graduated from Delphos Jefferson High School in 1983. He was a member of the Boy Scouts, the Army and the Army National Guard. He was an avid camper.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Chiles Laman Shawnee Chapel and Cremation Services at Shawnee Chapel on Shawnee Road in Lima, Pastor Michael Hughes officiating. Interment will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery in New Hampshire, Ohio.

Family and friends may call 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the family.

James Richard Dorman, 69, died on Sunday. May 5, 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; a daughter, Kathleen Dorman; a son, J.R. Dorman; a brother-in-law, John (Deanne) Byron; a niece, Cierra Byron; and many close friends and co-workers.

He was preceded in death by parents, Robert and Gladys Dorman; and brothers, Edward Dorman and David Dorman.

He was veteran of the US Army, serving during the Korean War.

Funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday 10:30 a.m. at Evans Funeral Home, 4171 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, Phillip Ling, Jr. and Pastor John Harmony officiating. Interment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Delphos.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m.Wednesday at the funeral home.

Condelences for the family can be left at evansfuneralhome.net