Okuley’s Pharmacy Celebrates 75 Years of Family Service and Community Care
CONTINENTAL, OHIO — For 75 years, Okuley’s Pharmacy has been a trusted name in healthcare across northwest Ohio. What began in 1949 as a small-town pharmacy founded by Blaine Okuley in his hometown of Continental has grown into a thriving third-generation business serving customers in Putnam, Paulding, Defiance, and surrounding counties.
Now operated by Blaine’s son, Travis Okuley, alongside his son Connor, Okuley’s Pharmacy remains rooted in family values, personal service, and community commitment. With three retail locations — in Continental, Paulding, and Defiance — the business has expanded far beyond prescription fills.
“Each of our stores is a full-service pharmacy,” Travis said in an interview. “But in Defiance, we also specialize in compounding and offer home medical equipment like mobility scooters, lift chairs, CPAP machines, and hospital beds. That location is really popular for custom solutions.”
The Defiance branch, in particular, has become a go-to destination for those in need of compounded medications, which allow pharmacists to tailor prescriptions to individual needs — something especially important for patients with allergies, pediatric care, or unique dosage requirements.
Across the three stores, Okuley’s employs around 50 people, many of them from the local area. Several family members are actively involved, making it a true multigenerational business. “It’s not just about us,” Travis said. “We’re blessed to have loyal staff and customers who’ve supported us for decades.”
Okuley’s Pharmacy also serves numerous assisted living facilities — more than 25 throughout northwest Ohio — delivering oxygen, mobility aids, and other durable medical equipment to patients in need. “We’re in and out of nearly every assisted living community from Paulding to Putnam to Fulton counties,” Connor said. “We also work closely with hospice providers to make sure patients have what they need during critical times.”
While they don’t venture into Indiana or Toledo proper, their service area includes Paulding, Putnam, Defiance, Henry, Fulton, Allen, and Williams counties, stretching as far south as Lima and east to the Liberty Center area. Even local facilities like Antwerp Manor benefit from their support. “It’s not just pharmacy — it’s full-service care, from delivery to equipment maintenance,” said Travis.
But running an independent pharmacy isn’t easy in today’s healthcare climate.
“The insurance companies are putting more and more pressure on small businesses like ours,” Travis explained. “A lot of prescriptions now are being reimbursed at below our cost. It’s tough to survive, and we’re seeing big names like Rite Aid struggle or close.”
Rising property taxes, increasing regulation, and healthcare red tape only add to the challenge. Yet through it all, the Okuley family has stayed committed to their mission: helping people.
“We’ve never wanted to be the biggest. We just want to be the best at serving our communities,” Travis said. “We work alongside other local providers — we don’t see them as competitors. We’re all here to help.”
On Friday, October 10, 2025 they celebrated their 75th anniversary with the community invited. Food, drinks, and the traditional soda fountain were all flowing, saying, “We appreciate our friends and neighbors”. The Okuley family has one message to share with the community:
“Thank you. Thank you for letting us serve you for three generations. Your support means everything.”
With deep roots and a strong sense of purpose, Okuley’s Pharmacy looks ahead to the future — one filled with challenge, but also hope, as the community keeps supporting local businesses.
