June 29, 1925
Feb. 27, 2013

The Lord called George Thomas “Tom” Granger home from his labors on Feb. 27 at his niece’s home in Tahlequah, Okla., with his family gathered by his side. Tom was 87 years old.

George Thomas “Tom” Granger was born on June 29, 1925, in Kent to Med and Irene (Auer) Granger. He was one of 11 children born into the Granger home.
Those left to cherish Tom’s memory include his loving daughter, Shirley Karman of Lonsdale, Minn.; two brothers, Ralph “Bud” (Ruth) Granger of Sidney and Donald (Audrey) Granger of California. He leaves two sisters, Ruth Granger-Stump of Van Wert and Katherine Granger (Tom) Smith of Landeck. Tom’s legacy lives on in his three grandchildren, Mark (Jennifer) Karman of Columbus, Elsa Karman of Williamsburg, Va., and Patricia Karman of Lonsdale, Minn. His great grandchildren include Connor Karman, Patrick Karman, Aidan Karman, Riley Karman, Edward Karman, William Karman, Dorothy Karman, Drake Karman and Dreznar Lehmkuhle; a very special niece and friend, Jennifer Hale of Tahlequah, Okla.; and many nieces, nephews, cousin and a host of friends and loved ones.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents and his loving wife, Corky; his daughter, Gayle Engle, in 1979; his son-in-law, William B. Karman in 1999; five brothers, Mike, Carl, Jim, John, and Robert Granger; and one sister, Jeanne Schaffner.

Upon graduating from high school, Tom enlisted in the US Navy during World War II. He worked on the ore boats on the Great Lakes for the next two years, then met and married the love of his life, Corinne “Corky” Davin on March 1, 1947, in Duluth, Minn. This union lasted 55 years and blessed them with two daughters.
Tom was never one to sit and watch the world go by. He worked diligently for the US Naval Reserve and retired after 22 years. He served as career command counselor for the Naval Reserve Center in both Ashville, N.C., and Gulfport, Miss. He was a member of Naval Fleet Reserve Association. He retired after 30 years as the administrative officer for Job Corps and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He served as treasurer for the Rotary Club in Burns, Ore., was a Rotary member in Medina, N.Y., and president of the Boston Union National Federation of Government Employees – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chapter and the Nocturnal Adoration Society in Alburquerque, N.M. He was past president of the PTA in Salisbury, Mass.; Newport, Mass., PTA Council; Holy Name Society in Salisbury, Mass., and Alburquerque, N.M.; Lawton-Ft. Sill Kennel Club in Lawton, Okla., and the Ashville Kennel Club in Ashville.

He served as past commander of American Legion Post 268 in Delphos, Past Faithful Navigator 4th Degree Bishop Neumann Assembly, Past District Deputy District 8 of the Knights of Columbus, member, past usher, and lector at St. John the Evangelist in Delphos, life member of BPOE 1197 in Van Wert and the past president of Delphos Veterans Council.

Whenever he had some free time, Tom could be found taking his wife dancing. He loved country and western music, taking a long walk with his beloved Boston Terriers or relaxing at home watching a good western on TV. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and a friend you could rely on. He cherished the time he spent with his family and enjoyed holidays with his family close around him.

From the youngest toddler to the oldest member in the room, everyone was given the famous smile he always kept on his face. Tom loved people and it showed. He was always the first to say hi and made you feel important whenever you spoke with him. He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those around him in any capacity he could.

His loving wife Corky passed from this life in 2002 and Tom found himself longing for warmer climates and family to share them with. He relocated to the Tahlequah, Okla., area and was a member of St. Brigid Catholic Church. He was loved by all and a very special man. He will be greatly missed for his warm smile and all the love he shared with those around him.

Mass of Christian Burial for George Thomas “Tom” Granger will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, with the Delphos Veterans Council providing military graveside services. Family visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Harter and Schier Funeral Home, with the Knights of Columbus conducting memorial services.

Those wishing to extend their sympathies to the family are asked to consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online atwww.stjude.org.

The family invites all to join them in a luncheon following the burial at the Delphos VFW.

Aug. 16, 1947 - March 13, 2013
Patricia A. Winicker, 65, of Van Wert passed away at 8:04 a.m. Wednesday at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born on Aug. 16, 1947, in Lima to James and Martha (Krietemeyer) Bockey. Her father preceded her in death and her mother survives in Delphos.
On April 21, 1979, she was married to Paul A. Winicker, who survives in Van Wert.

Survivors also include one brother, Paul Bockey of Delphos; four sisters, Marie (James) Guest of St. Louis, Mo., Nancy (Kenneth) Rumschlag and Jane (Steven) Goedde of Delphos and Alice (Ronald) Rumschlag of New Haven, Ind.

Mrs. Winicker retired in 2011 from Vantage Career Center in Van Wert. She was a member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert.
Private family services will be held and officiated by Deacon Andy McMahon.

Friends may call from 1-6 p.m. on Monday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, where a Rosary Service will begin at 4 p.m.

Preferred memorials are to Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

Aug. 24, 1922-March 13, 2013
Martha E. Bear, 90, of Elida passed away at 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday at Vancrest Healthcare Center in Delphos.
She was born on Aug. 24, 1922, to Irvin and Susanna (Shenk) Diller, who preceded her in death.
On June 20, 1942, she was united in marriage to Joseph G. Bear, who preceded her in death on March 1, 2002.
Services will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Sharon Mennonite Church, with John Brunk, Kevin Beachy and Stanley Bear officiating. Burial will follow in the church’s cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday at Harter and Schier Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Mennonite Church.

Jan. 12, 1938-March 9, 2013
Donald A. Schweller, 75, died March 9 at the Gardens of Paulding.
He was born Jan. 12, 1938, in Ottoville to Julian and Regina (Hilvers) Schweller, who preceded him in death.
On Sept. 30, 1961, he married Norma Jean “Jeannie” Haunhorst, who survives.
He is also survived by a son, Todd Schweller of Paulding; two daughters, Lisa Clinton of Paulding, and Amy (David) Bleke, Fort Wayne; two brothers, John Schweller of Delphos, and Henry (Jeanette) Schweller of Ottoville; two sisters, Marie Ernst of Ridgecrest, Calif., and Francis Grothouse of Delphos; and six grandchildren, Lyndi and Julia Clinton, Claire and Jack Schweller, Grace Wirts and Seth Bleke.
He is also preceded in death by two brothers, Walter and Charles; and a sister, Anna Allersmeyer.
Mr. Schweller was owner/operator of Schweller Electric; a member of Divine Mercy Catholic Parish, Paulding; and the Paulding Eagles 2405 and V.F.W. Post 587.
Mass of Christian Burial was held today at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Paulding. Burial will follow in Paulding Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Masses; Paulding High School Music; or Community Health Professionals of Paulding/Hospice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.denherderfh.com.

Oct. 7, 1957 - March 10, 2013
Timothy Junior Rigdon, 55, of rural Spencerville, died early Sunday morning following a four wheeler accident on Kill Road, south of Landeck in Allen County.
He was born Oct. 7, 1957 in Lima to Billy Junior and Clara Marguerite Gay Rigdon, who preceded him in death.
Mr. Rigdon is survived by his very special friend of 19 years, Dawn L. Cummans, with whom he lived. Also surviving are his children; Jessica Jo Rigdon and Rochelle Reana (Dennis) Turner, both of Lima and Amanda Louise Rigdon and Timothy Riley Rigdon, both of Spencerville; 4 siblings, Mike Rigdon, Jeff (Debbie) Rigdon, Theresa Downard and Mark Rigdon, all of Lima; 4 grandchildren, Brooke Brown of Lima, Trey Rigdon of Tenn., Starla Turner and Caleb Turner, both of Lima.
An infant sister Lori Ann Rigdon preceded him in death.
Tim had attended Spencerville Schools, was employed at AWC Trucking Company of Delphos and had also worked at Ohio Decorative Products in Spencerville. He enjoyed NASCAR, fishing, camping and his four wheeler.
Funeral services will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville with Rev. Andrew J. Atkins officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the West Union Cemetery, north of Spencerville.
Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Memorials may be made to the family.