Obituaries

Jay J. Stephens

Jay J. Stephens

Feb 28, 2025

Jay Stephens, 59, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Mercy Health St. Rita’s. 

 Jay was born on September 19, 1965, in Ocala, Florida to John Henry and Lucille (Poplin) Stephens. 

 Jay was a 1984 graduate of Lima Senior High School. Jay loved to work and he loved animals. He worked at Metakote, AAP, Honda, and most recently Steiner Stock Farms...

Marilyn Nancy Horvath

Marilyn Nancy Horvath

Feb 27, 2025

Marilyn Nancy Horvath, 87, passed away at 7:06 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at The Meadows of Kalida. 

Marilyn was born on September 20, 1937, in Lima, Ohio, to Donald & Daisy (Cockerel) Hahn. On March 10, 1951, she married Steve Horvath, who preceded her in death on January 24, 2009.

Marilyn retired from Bluffton Hospital where she had worked in...

Karyn Lee Stokes

Karyn Lee Stokes

Feb 27, 2025

Karyn Stokes, born on February 5, 1950, to Paul and Marilyn Krayer, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 27, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, creativity, and dedication to children.

Karyn grew up alongside her brothers, Timothy and Brett Krayer; her sister, Kitt (Krayer) Pendergast; and her bonus sister, Mimi (Mitchell) Morrison. In 1976, she married the love of her...

Shirley Adams

Shirley Adams

Feb 25, 2025

Shirley Adams, 90, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 8:35 a.m. at Lima Memorial Health System. 

 Shirley was born on December 5, 1934, in Lima, Ohio to Luther Aldrich and Elizabeth (Bauman) Strawser. On October 10, 1952, she married Gary Adams, who preceded her in death on February 3, 2024. 

 On October 10, 1952, Shirley married the love of her...

Gloria Sherer

Gloria Sherer

Feb 24, 2025

Gloria J. Sherer, 96, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Otterbein Cridersville.  

Gloria was born on June 6, 1928, in Lima, Ohio to Wilbur and Ilo (Wallace) Williams. On August 14, 1948, she married Willis D. Sherer, who preceded her in death on February 21, 2018. 

Gloria was a wonderful mother and grandparent. She was as kind and loving...

Marjorie McConnell

Marjorie McConnell

Feb 24, 2025

Marjorie McConnell, 80, passed away at 6:25 a.m. on February 24, 2025, at Shawnee Manor, Lima, Ohio. 

Marjorie was born on March 2, 1944, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to the late Joseph Alvy and Mary Catherine (Riser) Coss. She was married to James McConnell, who preceded her in death in 2017.

Marjorie retired from General Dynamics. She loved making crafts for their...

Gregory G. Deubler

Gregory G. Deubler

Feb 16, 2025

Gregory Glenn Deubler, 65, passed away at 8:12 a.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Mercy Health St. Rita’s. Gregory was born on December 11, 1959, in Lima, Ohio, to Robert K. and Helen (Etue) Deubler.

Gregory was a Welder. He enjoyed flying drones to look over the lake and reading about astronauts and space. Gregory loved coming back to Lima...

Byrn Derek Henry

Byrn Derek Henry

Feb 16, 2025

Byrn Derek Henry, 64, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at St. Rita’s Medical Center. 

Derek was born on April 12, 1960, in San Diego, California to Edgar Thomas Henry and Mazie I. Freeman. On June 25, 2005, he married Deborah (Bechtel) Henry, who survives in Wapakoneta.  

Derek worked at Channel 44 since 2004. He received his bachelor’s from Arkansas...

Kenneth Christman

Kenneth Christman

Feb 14, 2025

Kenneth “Ken” Dwight Christman, 63, of Lima, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025 at St. Rita’s Medical Center. He was born on July 23, 1961 in Van Wert to the late Nicholas L. and Lois M. {Hammons} Christman.

Ken worked for Commercial Painting Inc. He is survived by his brothers: Paul (Vicki) Christman of Lima and Jeffrey “Jeff” (Cris) Christman...

Bob D. Snider

Bob D. Snider

Feb 13, 2025

Bob D. Snider, 93, passed away at 12:26 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Wyngate Senior Living Community in Lima, Ohio. 

Bob was born on July 20, 1931, in Lima, Ohio to the late Dwaine and Mary (Verhoff) Snider. On June 30, 1995, Bob married his loving wife, Carolyn V. Snider, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded...

Janet M. Maxwell

Janet M. Maxwell

Feb 13, 2025

Janet M. Maxwell, 87, passed away at 2:49 a.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Lost Creek Care Center. 

Janet was born on April 5, 1937, in Paulding County, Ohio, to Clifford and Margerie (Bartels) Kent. On November 24, 1962, she married Irwin Maxwell, who preceded her in death on October 21, 2020.

Janet graduated from Blue Creek High School in Haviland,...

Mary Ann Wheeler

Mary Ann Wheeler

Feb 11, 2025

Mary Ann Wheeler, 83, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at St. Rita’s Medical Center.  

Mary Ann was born on April 30, 1941, in Crestline, Ohio to August Martin and Elizabeth Louise (Batory) Ermi. On August 26, 1961, she married Murrell Lee Wheeler, who survives in Lima. Along with her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Anita (Wheeler)...

John J. Fitzgerald

John J. Fitzgerald

Feb 9, 2025

John J. Fitzgerald, 85, of Lima, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Springs of Lima. He was born on October 6, 1939, in Chicago, IL to the late John and Nellie {Markus} Fitzgerald.

On February 6, 1965, he married Connie Emehiser, who preceded him in death in 2017. John served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years during...

Lynda McCoy

Lynda McCoy

Feb 8, 2025

Lynda Kay McCoy, 78, passed away at 4:36 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Lima Memorial Health Center. 

 

Lynda was born on November 21, 1946, in Lima, Ohio to Thomas and Alice Hunt. On October 5, 1968, she married Thomas A. McCoy, who preceded her in death on September 14, 2012.

 

Lynda was the head of housekeeping at Lima Memorial Hospital....

Mildred R. Luquette

Mildred R. Luquette

Feb 8, 2025

Mildred Roberta Luquette, 100, passed away at 11:35 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Mercy Health St. Rita’s. 

Mildred was born on August 23, 1924, in Mulberry, Kansas, to Robert & Archie (Sullivan) McIlwrath. On October 26, 1946, she married Louis N. Luquette Jr., who preceded her in death in June 15, 1977. 

Mildred retired from Kmart. She was a member...

Jackson "Jack" W. Burklo

Jackson "Jack" W. Burklo

Feb 8, 2025

Jackson “Jack” W. Burklo, 87, passed away at 7:50 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at his home. 

Jack was born on April 4, 1937, in Sidney, Ohio, to Thomas Burklo and Velma (Hay) Miller. On June 7, 1960, he married Martha Lou (Nolan) Burklo, who preceded him in death on May 12, 2018.

 Jack retired from Lima Correctional Center, where he...

Bill Henry Miracle

Bill Henry Miracle

Feb 6, 2025

Bill Henry Miracle, 76, passed away at 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at his home. 

Bill was born on March 16, 1948, in Pineville, Kentucky, to Sarah L. (Vaughn) and Douglas Miracle. On October 22, 1966, he married Gail (Stamper) Miracle, who survives in Lima.

Bill retired from Lima Concrete and Burial Vaults. He enjoyed camping, boating, and fishing. He...

Evelyn Bowers

Evelyn Bowers

Feb 5, 2025

Evelyn Bowers, 75, passed away at 6:58 a.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Mercy Health St. Rita’s. 

Evelyn was born on October 21, 1949, in Lima, Ohio, to Raymond Ball and Evelyn (Dunahay) Ball. She married Joe Bowers, who preceded her in death on March 11, 2021.

Evelyn worked at Memorial Park Cemetery. 

She is survived by her children: Melissa (Mike) Lane,...

Thomas Roger Johnston

Thomas Roger Johnston

Feb 4, 2025

Thomas Roger Johnston, 60, passed away at 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Mercy Health St. Rita’s. 

Thomas was born on September 4, 1964, in Decatur, Indiana. His parents Roger Charles and Wilma Jeanne (Nichols) Johnston, preceded him in death. On May 3, 1997, he married Stephanie (Jarman) Johnston, who survives in Lima.

Thomas was a mechanic at Allen County...

Julia A. (Finn) Desenberg

Julia A. (Finn) Desenberg

Feb 1, 2025

Julia A. (Finn) Desenberg, 65, of Lima, Ohio and formerly of Lebanon, Ohio. Passed away on February 1, 2025, at Lima Convalescent Nursing Home.  

Julia was born on July 28, 1959, in Cincinnati, Ohio to George and Dorothy (Nomina) Finn. 

 Julia graduated from Lebanon High School in 1977 and Mount Saint Joseph University School of Nursing in 1982. She worked for...