GROVER HILL, OH:

Charles R. “Charlie/Chuck” Benard, age 65, passed away at his home in Grover Hill, OH surrounded by his family.

Chuck was born in Defiance, OH to his late parents, William H.C. and Fern (Lane) Benard. On May 21, 1988, he married Patricia L. “Trish” (King) Benard who preceded him in death on May 12, 2026.

He worked in maintenance at Haviland Drainage Products for several years. In his earlier years, he worked at Stokley’s in Paulding. Chuck had a love for NASCAR, especially driver Mark Martin, or anyone driving a Ford. He enjoyed collecting knives, watches, and hats. He loved loud rock music, especially Bob Seger or 1980’s hair bands and his Budweiser.

Chuck will be lovingly missed by his favorite daughter, Leslie (Stan) Ankney, Ayersville, OH; son, Ted (Cassandra) King, Van Wert, OH; daughter, Amber Bernard, Defiance, OH; special grandsons he helped raised, Preston, Zoah, and Zanden; 5 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; sister, Sarah (Bob) Anderson, Montpelier, OH; brothers, Billy (Mary) Benard, Defiance, OH; Mike (Pat) Benard, Defiance, OH.

He is also preceded in death by his sisters: Linda Vance, Jean Benard, and Phillis Howard.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Inurnment will take place in St. Paul Cemetery, Paulding Township, OH.

Flowers and tributes may be sent directly to Chuck’s daughter, Leslie Ankney, at 29141 Steinmaier Road, Defiance, OH 43512.

Online condolences may be shared at denherderfh.com.

PAULDING, OH:

Gene A. Baughman, age 78, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026 at Penn State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. 

Gene was born on April 18, 1948 in Paulding, OH to the late Ambrose Lawrence “Bus” and Averial Lucille (Smith) Baughman. On December 23, 1972 he married Mary Ann Breitwieser, who survives. He was a Paulding High School graduate, class of 1966, where he at one time held the record for most free throws in a single game. Gene proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Gene was the 4th generation President and CEO of Baughman Tile Company. He was a 33rd degree Mason, Flat Rock Lodge 580 in Payne, OH and a member of the Scottish Rite, Toledo, OH. Gene was a proud member of the Paulding community and gave back to his community in more ways than one. During the holidays, Gene proudly put up his Christmas lights display at his home, where the entire community could enjoy. He was a devoted Ohio State Buckeyes fan and a fairweather New York Yankees fan. Gene loved hockey especially when his boys were playing. 

Gene will be lovingly missed by his wife, Mary Ann; sons: Eric (Lisa) Baughman, Monclova, OH; Brad (Lorie) Baughman, Paulding, OH; brothers: Mike (Marie) Baughman, Columbia, SC; Martin (Yvonne) Baughman, Austin, TX; four grandchildren: Alexander, Nicholas, Annaleise, and Addison; many loving nieces and nephews.

Gene was also preceded in death by his sister, Chiri Pettinato and stepmother, Rosie DeLaet Swallow Baughman.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Den Herder Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Harper officiating. Burial will follow in Latty Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery with military rites accorded by the Paulding VFW Post 587. 

Visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Den Herder Funeral Home with a Masonic service to be held at 8:00 P.M. There will also be visitation from 9:00 A.M. until time of services on Thursday at the funeral home. 

The family requests no flowers or funeral memorabilia, contributions may be made in Gene’s memory to the Paulding County Agricultural Society. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com.

PAULDING, OH:

Steven E. “Steve” Nickols, age 57, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at his mother’s home surrounded by his family.

He was born on September 30, 1968 in Paulding, OH to his parents Everett and Joyce (Sentel) Nickols. He worked for Dangler Excavating for several years.

Steve had many interests in life including: his dogs, his chickens, gardening, cooking, tractors, guns, collecting, and going to auctions and swap meets.

He will be lovingly missed by his mother, Joyce Nickols, Paulding, OH; sisters, Deborah McCollum, Paulding, OH; Laura Bird, Defiance, OH; many nieces and nephews.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Everett in 2020.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will take place in Hedges Cemetery, Jackson Township, Paulding County, OH.

Janet Ann Wirick, 88, of Fort Wayne, IN, formerly of Paulding, OH, passed away on Friday, May 29th, at The Crossings at Covington Commons, Fort Wayne, IN.

She was born on February 26, 1938 in Antwerp, OH to her late parents, Russell and Virginia (Caryer) Coon. On June 15, 1956, she married Gerald Wirick who preceded her in death in 2021.

Janet was a former member of the Paulding United Methodist Church and a current member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, IN. She worked for several years at Dana Weatherhead in Antwerp, OH. Janet enjoyed playing cards with her friends on Fridays and was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing.

She is survived by her daughter, Tracey (Jason) Grothaus, Roanoke, IN.

She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Russell and Gene Coon.

Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Den Herder Funeral Home, Paulding, OH. Inurnment will follow in Wiltsie Cemetery, Harrison Township, Payne, OH.

There will be calling one hour prior to the services at the funeral home on Saturday.

Memorial contributions may be made in Janet’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com.

GROVER HILL, OH:

Patricia L. “Trish” Benard, age 60, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at her daughter’s home in Ayersville, OH. 

Trish was born on June 10, 1965 in Paulding, OH to Theodore “Ted” and Evelyn (Harp) King. On May 21, 1988 she married Charles Benard, who survives. Trish worked as a manager of group homes for CSRI for 15 years. She loved sewing, crafts, and gardening flowers. Trish was a natural caregiver, she loved her job. More than anything, she loved her home with Charlie. 

Trish will be lovingly missed by her parents, Ted and Evelyn King, Haviland, OH; husband, Charles Benard, Grover Hill, OH; son, Ted (Cassandra) King, Van Wert, OH; daughter, Leslie (Stan) Ankney, Ayersville, OH; stepdaughter, Amber Benard, Defiance, OH; brother, Richard (Darlene) King, Richmond, KY; sisters: Sandy (Eric) Ludwig, Grover Hill, OH; Joanna (Brad) Deel, Bryan, OH; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Trish was preceded in death by her brother, Ted C. King.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Inurnment will take place in St. Paul Cemetery, Paulding Township, OH. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com.

PAULDING, OH:

Donna J. Scott, age 79, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026 at her home in Paulding, OH. 

Donna was born on April 13, 1947 in Convoy, OH to the late Ervin and Elizabeth (Burk) Fabian. On September 3, 1966, she married James Scott, who preceded her in death in 2011. Donna worked in food service for Paulding Exempted Village Schools for 13 years before her retirement in 2009. She was a member of the Know Your Neighbor Club and Paulding Church of the Nazarene. Donna loved gardening, crocheting, and traveling. 

Donna will be lovingly missed by her children: James “Jim” (Theresa) Scott, Huntertown, IN; Kimberly (Josh) Grimes, Oakwood, OH; Kristina (Jamie) Varner, Paulding, OH; brother, Edward (Faith) Fabian, Convoy, OH; sister-in-law, Robin Fabian, Van Wert, OH; 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. 

Donna was also preceded in death by her brothers, Ervin “Butch” Fabian, Raymond Fabian, Paul Fabian; grandson, Kyle Varner. 

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Paulding Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Doug Shilts officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul Cemetery, Paulding Township.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at Den Herder Funeral Home. There will also be visitation from 10:00 A.M. until time of services on Thursday at the church. 

Memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s memory to Paulding Church of the Nazarene. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com.

PAULDING, OH:

Sandra S. Howell, age 79, of Paulding, OH, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2026 at the Paulding County Hospital.

She was born in Paulding, OH on February 10, 1947 to her late parents, Floyd “Buck” and Doris (Stanton) Howell.

Sandra was the owner of the West Side Market in Paulding for many years and also work at Ohio Glass Depot and was a bartender at various establishments in the Paulding area.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Fred) Roberts, Columbus, OH; grandsons: Josh (Tisha Ruman) Hernandez, Paulding, OH; Derrick Hernandez, Columbus, OH; great grandchildren: Eli Hernandez, Isabella Howard, Zyden Hernandez, Lorenzo Hernandez; sisters: Rita Howell, Paulding, OH; Genelta (Sam) Levos, Paulding, OH.

She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Janet Yoquelet, John Lehman, and Clayton Howell.

Memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Den Herder Funeral Home, Paulding, OH.

There will be calling hours from 11:30 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sandra’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com.

CECIL, OH:

Harry G Poulson of, Cecil Ohio died April 13, 2026. He was born May 5, 1942, Bluffton Indiana. Harry worked 39 years at GM Powertrain Defiance as a Machinist. He enjoyed restoring and pulling antique John Deere tractors.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents: Everett and Mabel Poulson; and brother, Charles Poulson

He was survived by his wife, Karen Poulson; son, Bryan Poulson (Jodi); daughter, Stephanie Poulson; grandsons, Jake Arend, Connor Arend, and Josh Poulson (Sierra); brother, Ted Poulson (Nancy); and sister-in-law: Merrilee Poulson

Services were held April 21, 2026 with visitation at Derrick Funeral Home, Lake Geneva WI. Buried same day at: The Linn-Hebron Cemetery, Hebron IL.

AUBURN, IN:

Jerry Robinson, age 91 of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 10, 2026. He was born on June 29, 1934 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to John and Lucinda Robinson.

Jerry proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Specialist 4th Class, spending two years in Korea. Following his military service, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Tool and Manufacturing Engineering in 1963, a field that reflected his lifelong passion for designing and building.

Jerry enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as an engineer and designer. He worked for General Products for over 20 years, including time in Michigan, and played a key role in designing the company’s facility in Angola, Indiana. His professional work also included design projects for Chevrolet, Ford, and Rea Magnet Wire in Fort Wayne. A talented builder, Jerry designed and constructed several homes during his lifetime, including his current residence, many of which he built with his own hands.

A man of many interests, Jerry was also a farmer at heart. He farmed land in the Columbia City area during the 1970s and 1980s, built his own barn, and later began building a new home on his farm in DeKalb County. After suffering a stroke during construction, Jerry turned finishing the home into his rehabilitation—completing it himself and enjoying many more years there, surrounded by the land he loved. From his porch, he took great joy in watching crops grow and wildlife roam.

Jerry was a member of Waterloo United Methodist Church, now Waterloo First Grace Church, and was actively involved in the Waterloo Lions Club, as well as the Bippus Lions Club. He enjoyed bowling in a league at General Products and was an avid fan of Purdue and IU basketball fan.

Jerry had a lifelong love of automobiles. He restored and customized several vehicles, including a 1934 Chevy Coupe and a 1946 Ford pickup he built for his daughter to drive in high school. He famously drove a 1960 Corvette on his wedding day and later owned an El Camino that carried the family on memorable trips, including one to Florida. He was among the first in the Fort Wayne area to customize cars.

In 1960, Jerry met the love of his life, Deanna Allison, through a mutual friend while she was attending college in Fort Wayne. They were married on April 20, 1963, and shared 63 wonderful years of marriage. Together they built a life filled with work, creativity, family, and faith.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Deanna Robinson; his daughter, Allison Schlough (Fiancé Justin Smith) of Monroe, Wisconsin; his niece, Barbara (Tom) Condon of Cutter Bay, Florida; his niece Carolyn (John) Vogel of Clearwater Florida; his niece, Kathy (Mark) Nuttle of Wasilla, Alaska; his niece, Vickie Mickelini of Huntertown, Indiana; his nephew, Richard Ray (Cheryl) of Orland Indiana and many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucinda Robinson; his sister, Margaret Sauers (Robert); his brother, Leroy (Edna) Robinson; his son-in law, Jimmy Schlough; his nephew James Robinson; his nephew Thomas Robinson and grand-nephew, Edward Robinson.

Jerry lived a long, full life—building, designing, farming, learning, and loving deeply. His legacy lives on in the homes he built, the machines he designed, the land he cared for, and the family he cherished.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home 875 South Wayne Street in Waterloo. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home in Waterloo.  

Burial will take place at the Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to Waterloo First Grace Church, 300 West Maple Street, Waterloo, Indiana 46793 or to the DeKalb Humane Society, PO Box 806, Auburn, Indiana 46706.

Condolences may be sent to the family at fellerandclark.com and on our Facebook page at Feller and Clark Funeral Home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Waterloo.

PAYNE, OH:

Forest “Glen” Deatrick, Jr., 83, of Payne, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2026 at Cedarhurst Senior Living, Fort Wayne.

Glen was born on November 5, 1942 in Paulding, a son of the late Eunice (Workman) & Forest Glen Deatrick, Sr.

Glen dedicated many years of his career as an accountant at Crumback Symons Chevrolet, New Haven, IN. On August 12, 1962, he married the love of his life, Julia (Johnson), and together they built a life filled with happiness and devotion. Outside of work, Glen found joy in farming, tending his garden, and hunting. He proudly served his community as a member of the Payne Fire and EMS, and was actively involved in organizations such as the Paulding County American Heart Association and as an Honorary Wayne Trace FFA member. A faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Briceton and the Paulding County Gideons, Glen’s life was rooted in service, faith, and family. Above all, he deeply loved his family and cherished every moment spent with them.

He will be sadly missed by his daughters, Andrea Ehresman & Sarah (Brian) Franz; brother, Ron (Marita) Deatrick; sisters-in-law, Janet (Floney) Posey & Peg Johnson; grandchildren, Kyle (Shana) Ehresman & Kayla Ehresman, & Maddox Franz; & great grandchildren, Olivia & Carter Ehresman. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Julia; sister, Connie Deatrick, & brother-in-law, John Johnson.

Viewing is Thursday, April 16th from 4-7 PM at Dooley Funeral Home, Payne, Ohio. 

Service is Friday, April 17th at 10:30 AM with viewing one hour prior at the funeral home. 

He will be laid to rest in Sherman Cemetery. 

Memorials are to Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation or the Payne Fire Association. 

Fond memories may be shared at dooleyfuneralhome.com.