On Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. the Oakwood Community Church and Melrose Community Church invite you to come join us under the Tent for an uplifting afternoon of gospel music, fellowship and family fun!

Enjoy inspiring worship music under the tent, kid’s inflatable bounce house and obstacle course on the lawn, and a welcoming community atmosphere.

Seating will be available, though you are welcome to bring a lawn chair.

Food and refreshments will be available, including hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, water, and freeze pops, offered with free will donations accepted.

Plenty of parking available. We are located at 201 East Harmon St. Oakwood, Ohio 45873.

We look forward to sharing this special afternoon of worship and fellowship with you!

See the Oakwood Community Church and Melrose Community Church Facebook pages for detailed information.

The Defiance Area Foundation (DAF) is pleased to announce that The Compound has returned as the Culinary Sponsor for the 2026 Gala with a generous contribution of $15,000.

This sponsorship will provide catering for the event, prepared by Sweetwater, offering guests an elevated dining experience as part of the evening’s festivities.

The annual Gala, scheduled for October 3, 2026, brings community members together to celebrate generosity while raising support for the Defiance County Community Fund. This fund allows the Foundation to respond to local needs by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, and community initiatives throughout the year.

“The continued support from partners like The Compound helps make this event possible and meaningful,” said executive director, Chris Yoder, from the Defiance Area Foundation. “Their investment allows us to focus on what matters most – serving our community.”

The Defiance Area Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to The Compound for their ongoing commitment to strengthening Defiance County.

At its recent meeting, the Kiwanis Club welcomed Traci Koenig, Director of Paulding County LifeWise, as its guest speaker.  Traci was invited by Kiwanis member, Kevin Stahl.

Koenig provided an overview of the LifeWise program, sharing its history, growth, and future plans. She discussed the program’s expansion both locally and nationally and highlighted its mission of providing Bible-based character education to public school students during released time.

According to Koenig, all school districts in Paulding County currently have students participating in the program at various grade levels. She also shared statistics demonstrating the program’s continued growth and impact, along with stories of students whose lives have been positively influenced through their involvement in LifeWise.

Koenig expressed enthusiasm about the program’s future and the opportunities that lie ahead in the coming school year. She looks forward to expanding the program’s reach and serving even more students throughout Paulding County.

By: Lynsey Pease

During her Sophomore year at Wayne Trace High School, Madison Pease used her creativity and design skills to create a series of Christmas and Winter themed banners for the Village of Haviland.

Working with support from her father, Robert Pease and the council President Neal Stoller, Madison designed several Banners that combined festive holiday imagery with symbols that represented the Village and Wayne Trace Raiders. One banner featured a light blue winter background with the message “Merry Christmas” above and a Raider Mascot wearing a Santa Hat. Another, displayed a bright red background with the greeting “Happy Holidays” and a Raider Mascot placed over a star design.

These banners combined School Spirit with Holiday traditions and were designed to make residents feel connected with their Community.

A third banner welcomed visitors to Haviland with snowflakes, winter colors and the message “Welcome to Haviland, OH,  Est. 1892”. The banner highlighted the Village’s History while celebrating the winter season.

Madison was able to recognize the Community’s heritage and create a design that reflected local Pride.

Residents enjoyed seeing the Banners displayed throughout the town and appreciated the combination of Holiday Cheer, School Pride and local history. The designs helped create a welcoming atmosphere and added a festive touch to a small town during the winter months.

Cassidy Kurita, daughter of Babette (Whitaker) and Makoto Kurita  received her Doctorate degree from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. She is now doing her residency at Duke University Hospital. 

Younger sister, Remi finished her Masters in Geo Science and got accepted to the University of South Carolina for her PHD receiving  paid tuition and a stipend for 4 years.

Cassidy and Remi Kurita are also the granddaughters of Nancy and the late Pete Whitaker.

Mother Babette is originally from Scott Ohio and a graduate of Wayne Trace High School. Father  Makoto is from Tokyo. They currently reside in Texas.

The Defiance Area Foundation has awarded a $1,000 grant to the St. John’s Lutheran Food Pantry in Hicksville during its 2026 Spring Grant Cycle. Funding for the grant was provided through the Hanna Family Memorial Fund under the Defiance Area Foundation umbrella.

The grant will help provide food pantry supplies for the growing pantry, which was established one year ago to serve individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in the Hicksville community.

The pantry is located outside St. John’s Lutheran Church and is accessible to anyone in need without paperwork or requirements. According to Food Pantry Lead Volunteer Jay Turnbull, demand for the pantry has grown greater than expected since the project began.

The organization also plans to begin opening an indoor pantry space one day each month to further serve the community.

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.

WOODBURN, Ind. — For eight innings, the Woodlan Lady Warriors matched Central Noble pitch for pitch and inning for inning in a tense regional softball showdown on June 2. But the Cougars finally broke through in the ninth inning, scoring four runs to claim a 4-0 victory and bring Woodlan’s postseason run to an end.  

The regional contest was a classic pitchers’ duel through regulation and into extra innings. Neither team was able to push a run across the plate during the first eight innings as both defenses repeatedly came up with key plays. Woodlan managed just two hits in the game while Central Noble collected eight, but the Warriors’ defense and pitching kept the contest scoreless deep into extra innings.  

Woodlan’s only hits came from freshman Amelia Riley and sophomore Ellce Krauter, who each finished 1-for-3 at the plate. Riley also accounted for both of the Warriors’ stolen bases.    

Central Noble ace Grace Swank proved difficult to solve throughout the afternoon. The senior pitcher threw a complete-game shutout, allowing only two hits while striking out 20 Woodlan batters over nine innings. She did not issue a walk and faced just 30 hitters in the dominant performance.  

Lucy McHenry carried the load in the circle for Woodlan, pitching eight strong innings. The junior allowed seven hits and three earned runs while striking out eight. Sophia Martin also saw action, pitching one inning and allowing one run. Together, the Warriors’ pitchers held Central Noble scoreless through eight innings before the Cougars erupted in the ninth.  

Central Noble’s offense was led by Kaitlyn Tilley, who went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Grace Swank added two hits, a run and an RBI, while Molly Mann contributed a hit, a run and an RBI. Katie Forker also drove in a run for the Cougars.  

Woodlan’s defense recorded 27 putouts and 11 assists, committing two errors in the contest. Addison Klotz was credited with 10 putouts, while Ellce Krauter added 10 putouts behind the plate.  

The loss ended an impressive season for the Lady Warriors, who finished with a 25-6 record and advanced to the regional round after a successful postseason run. Central Noble improved to 25-6 and advanced with the 4-0 extra-inning victory.  

Beginning June 6, the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry joined forces with Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) to provide free food to Paulding County kids this summer…SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. 

In June and July, NOCAC provides free lunches and activities on weekdays at two locations in Paulding County. This year, for the first time, the pantry also will provide Blessings in a Bag on Fridays, which will provide a bag of food for each kid over the weekend. The bag will include two breakfast meals, two lunch meals and two snacks. 

The Blessings in a Bag program was originated as a student enrichment project by a Paulding Exempted Village Schools student and has been maintained by students since then with the support of now retired teacher, Melissa Harder. With her ongoing support, the pantry is committed to keeping this program alive to help feed our county’s children, more than 16% of whom are considered food insecure.

Lunches will be served Monday through Friday June 3 through July 24, with the exception of June 19 and July 3. Weekend Blessings in a Bag will be available for pick up on Fridays (and on Thursdays June 18 and July 2 due to holidays).

Children ages 1-18 (up to age 21 with disability) can participate on weekdays and pick up weekend food at the following locations:

• LaFountain Park, 700 Lincoln Ave., Paulding, 12:15-1:00 p.m.

• Cooper Community Branch Library, 206 North First St., Oakwood, 11:00-11:30 a.m.

No one will need to prove income or provide ID. Children under age 5 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Follow the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry on Facebook at www.facebook.com/caringsharingfoodpantry. Or for more information, contact the pantry at (419) 399-9562 or info@caresharepantry.org.