June 10, 1917 - March 9, 2013

Gertrude E. Ernst, 95, of Landeck passed away at 2:40 a.m. Saturday at Vancrest Healthcare Center.

She was born on June 10, 1917, in Landeck to John and Rose (Fischer) Pothast, who are both deceased.

On April 24, 1940, she was united in marriage to Sylvester Knebel. He preceded her in death on Oct. 16, 1971. She then married Albert Ernst on Aug. 13, 1978, who preceded her in death on May 26, 1979.

Survivors include one son, Jim (Jane) Knebel of Delphos; one stepdaughter, Joan Mason of Landeck; two brothers, Elmer and Omer Pothast; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; 3 stepgreat-grandchildren; 7 stepgreat-great-grandchildren; and 1 stepgreat-great-great-grandchild.

She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Walter, Nick and Clifford Pothast; one daughter, Margurite Fisher; two grandchildren, Diane and David Maloney; and 1 great-grandson, Nicholas Mason.

Mrs. Ernst worked in the Delphos School District as a school bus driver, where she was the first female bus driver, and then worked at Lima Armature. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Landeck and a member of the CL of C #84, served on the Board of Directors at the Senior Citizens Center for 15 years and active member at the Senior Citizens Center. She was a past member of the Eagles #471. She worked the election board for 35 years. Her hobbies included playing the piano and organ and she loved to dance.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Landeck, the Rev. Melvin Verhoff officiating. Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

Family and friends may call from 2-8 p.m. today at Harter and Schier Funeral Home, where a CL of C Service will begin at 3 p.m. and a Parish Wake will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church in Landeck, Landeck Community Club or Delphos Senior Citizens Center.

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 will begin at 11 a.m. today at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Paulding. Burial will follow in Paulding Memorial Cemetery.

Friends may call from 9-11 a.m. at the church prior to services.

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

June 5, 1923

March 1, 2013

Roman A. Eickholt Sr., 89, of Ottoville died at 10:06 p.m. Friday, at his residence.

He was born June 5, 1923, in Ottoville to John C. and Matilda (Miller) Eickholt, who preceded him in death.

On July 10, 1943, he married Agnes J. Schwaiger, who preceded him in death on Feb. 26, 2000. He then married Margaret Wehri Dickman, who preceded him in death on Feb. 12, 2012.

He is survived by his children, Roman (Pat) Eickholt Jr. of Continental, Bob (Donna) Eickholt, Terry (Stacy) Eickholt and Alan (Ann Rayle) Eickholt of Cloverdale, Mary (Ken) Doseck of Upper Sandusky and Bonnie (Bill) Beining, Leah (Dan) Ditto and Lisa (Albert) Bilimek of Cloverdale; 10 stepchildren, James (Karen) Clementz and George (Melinda) Clementz of Cridersville, Frank (Cathy) Clementz of Spencerville, Ronald (Elizabeth) Clementz of Lima, Robert Clementz of Rochester, Mich., Vernon Clementz of Monroe, Mich., Alan (Terri) Clementz of New Boston, Mich., Margene (Ronald) Craft of St. Marys, Mary (Robert) McBeth of Cridersville, Julie Clementz of Wapakoneta and Carol (Clyde) Verhoff of Fort Loramie; stepdaughter-in-law, Patricia Clementz; brother, Orval (Olivia) Eickholt of Cloverdale; sister, Calista Miller of Landeck; two sisters-in-law, Virgina Eickholt of Lima and Dolores Eickholt of Ottawa; 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Eickholt; son, John Eickholt; grandson, Adam Eickholt; great-granddaughter, Camryn Mansfield; stepson, Lawrence Clementz; stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Sharon (Phillip) Fry; two brothers, Ralph Eickholt and Vince Eickholt; two sisters, Katherine Altenburger and Agnes Ulrich; a half sister, Alvertice “Dolly” Friemoth; and three brothers-in-law, Arnie Miller, Bill Ulrich and Ralph Altenburger.

Mr. Eickholt was a lifelong farmer and retired in 1985 from Fruehauf Trailers, Delphos. He was a World War II Navy veteran. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville, and was a life member of both the Ottoville VFW and Defiance AmVets. He retired from the Putnam County Fair Board in 2003 after serving for 41 years. He loved polka dancing and was a member of the Ohio Polka Boosters.

He was above all, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved spending time with them and would always put their needs before his own. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and working all kinds of puzzles.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville, with Rev. John Stites officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville, with military rites by the Ottoville VFW. Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. today at Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Jackson Township, where a scripture service will be held 2 p.m. and an AmVets and VFW service will be held 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.

March 12, 1926

March 2, 2013

John A. Linder, 86, of Delphos passed away at 5:15 a.m. Saturday at Vancrest Healthcare of Delphos.

He was born on March 12, 1926, in Delphos to F. Pat and Pearle (Burt) Linder, who preceded him in death.

On Sept. 3, 1948, he was united in marriage to A. Joan Rice, who survives in Delphos.

Survivors include a son, Louis R. Linder of Ft. Myers, Fla.; two grandchildren, Pat A. (Samantha) Linder and Leslie Geise; and four great-grandchildren, Halie, Addy, Sophia Linder; Naomi Linder.

He was also preceded in death by a son, Frank Andrew Linder.

Mr. Linder was in the Navy during World War II and served in the Battle of Okinawa. He worked for the Pennsylvania/Conrail railroad as an operator. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and the Delphos Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 471. He enjoyed playing the organ, fishing and traveling.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Harter and Schier Funeral Home, the Reverend David Howell officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery with military graveside rites performed by the Delphos Veterans Council.

Family and friends may call from 2-8 p.m. on Tuesday and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or Allen County Children’s Garden.

Sept. 6, 1939-Feb. 28, 2012
Robert “Rich” McNeil, 73, of Beaverdam, died at 12:29 a.m. Thursday at Lima Memorial Hospital.
He was born Sept. 6, 1939, in Grundy, Va., to Clyde and Elizabeth (Looney) McNeil, who preceded him in death.
In 1981, he married Linda Clark Ladd, who survives in Beaverdam.
Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Harter and Schier Funeral Home, Pastor Rodney Shade officiating. Burial will be in Cascade Cemetery in Cloverdale.
Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Angels for Animals.