Obituaries

Jan 18, 2026

James R. Swartz, age 90, of Port Clinton, passed away Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky, following a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease.

He was born October 18, 1935, in Bellevue and graduated from Townsend High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in El Paso, TX....

Jan 13, 2026

Wanda R. Stewart, age 98, of Castalia, passed away Tuesday morning, January 13, 2026, at the Willows at Bellevue.

She was born August 10, 1927, in Jacobsburg, OH and graduated from Belmont High School in 1945. From 1967-1988, Wanda managed the kitchen and dining room at the Castalia Trout Club with her husband, who also managed the...

Dec 26, 2025

Charlene D. Karabatsos, 77, formerly of Barberton, OH, died Friday, December 26, 2025, in the Willows of Bellevue.

She was born Sept. 3, 1948, in Barberton, OH, and was a 1966 graduate of Barberton High School. She was a 35 year employee of Babcock and Wilcox.

Charlene is survived by her daughter Mollie (Brandon) Biehl...

Dec 24, 2025

Joseph D. Till, Jr., 25, of Sandusky, died unexpectedly December 24, 2025, at Fremont Memorial Hospital.

He enjoyed being with his family, cookouts, making people laugh, and hanging out with his friends. He had a huge heart and loved a lot of people.

Jojo is survived by his mother Amanda (Weyer) Bishop and step- father...

Dec 15, 2025

Laure M. Swain, age 62, of Fremont, passed away Monday afternoon, December 15, 2025, in her residence, following a courageous fight with cancer.

She was born August 24, 1963, in Baton Rouge, LA, and graduated from Margaretta High School.  Laure worked many years at Ford Motor Company as a tow motor driver.  She loved her dogs and...

Dec 10, 2025

James Howard Hurst, 89, passed away peacefully at Stein Hospice Care Center on December 10, 2025, followed by a brief illness and was surrounded by loved ones.

Jim was born on October 31, 1936, in Sandusky, Ohio to Martha Julia (Murnane) and Howard Hurst.  As an only child, he developed a mind that never stopped working.  His...

Nov 28, 2025

Jeffrey D. Rohrbacher, age 71, of Castalia, passed away Friday morning, November 28, 2025, at Firelands Health, Sandusky, following a sudden illness.

He was born August 9, 1954, in Sandusky, and graduated from Margaretta High School in 1972.  He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Castalia, and the Margaretta Athletic Booster Club for over 40 years.   ...

Oct 30, 2025

John C. Barnes, age 89, of Sandusky, passed away Thursday afternoon, October 30, 2025, at Admirals Point Nursing Home, Huron, following a brief illness.

He was born September 21, 1936, in Sandusky, and graduated from Margaretta High School.  John proudly served in the U.S. Army and was a truck driver for Commercial Lovely's, Sandusky.  He also worked...

Oct 20, 2025

Scott Dale Abbott, age 72, of Castalia, peacefully passed away Monday October 20, 2025, at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, following a brief illness.

He was born December 26, 1952, in Fremont, to the late Dale and Sylvia (Hendricks) Abbott.  He attended Margaretta High School.  Scott always had a strong work ethic in his many work roles;...

Oct 16, 2025

Mitchel Mann, age 63, of Vickery, passed away Thursday October 16, 2025, at Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky, following a lengthy illness.

He was born July 27, 1962, in Dickerson, VA.  Mitch was a carpenter and handy man; he loved building anything and enjoyed helping others and fishing.

He is survived by his wife Anette...

Oct 15, 2025

Gene "Geno" VanOrsdall, age 87, of Bellevue, died Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Stein Hospice Care Center, following a brief illness.

Gene was born on October 16, 1937, in New Washington, Ohio to parents George and Ruth (High) VanOrsdall.  Gene graduated in 1955 from New Washington High School where he was President of Crawford County's Honor Society,...

Sep 5, 2025

David Carl Pfeiffer, 72, of Vickery, Ohio, passed away on September 5, 2025, at his home. He was born on November 26, 1952, the son of Charles L. and Marian J. (Beier) Pfeiffer.  David was a 1971 graduate of Margaretta High School and worked for Sandusky Dressed Beef, and then UPS until his retirement.  In addition to his full...

Aug 31, 2025

Cade J. Gwynn, age 23, of Huron, passed away Sunday August 31, 2025, from the results of a tragic accident.

He was born April 21, 2002, in Lorain, and attended Vermilion High School.  Cade worked at Great Lakes Honda West, Elyria, as an auto detailer.  He loved spending time with his beloved lifelong friends and was very...

Aug 29, 2025

Thomas W. Dwight, age 84, of Castalia, passed away Friday August 29, 2025, at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, following a brief illness.

He was born April 25, 1941, in Sandusky, and graduated from Margaretta High School in 1959.  He was a plumber and pipefitter for Local Union 42, owned and operated Castalia Hardware Plumbing and Heating...

Aug 21, 2025

Shelby McKinley Gillam, age 88, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at his home.

He was born August 28, 1936, in Ironton, Ohio, to James Enoch Gillam and Mindie Alice Gillam, and was raised in West Virginia and Ohio. He was married to the love of his life, Margie (Patton) Gillam, with...

Jul 23, 2025

Gloria J. Mesenburg, age 77, of Castalia, passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 23, 2025, in her residence, following a brief illness.

She was born December 2, 1947, in Sandusky, and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School, in 1965.  She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sandusky, and was a banker for many years, in...

Jul 13, 2025

On Sunday July 13, 2025, heaven got even brighter when Retha "Pauline" Giles went home to be with her Lord and Savior and she is now reunited with her husband, Everett.

She was born in Waynesville WV on August 9th 1936 to Christopher and Velva Mullens. Pauline married her forever love Everett R. Giles on Sept. 20,...

Jul 5, 2025

Juanita L. Karbler, age 95, of Vickery, passed away Saturday morning, July 5, 2025, at Providence Care Center, Sandusky.

She was born March 11, 1930, in Cleveland. She moved to Texas and Nebraska where she attended school in a one room school house and rode a horse to school.  She worked for room and board so she...

Jun 20, 2025

Josh JB Veliz, 35, of Castalia, died unexpectedly Friday, June 20, 2025, at his residence.

He was born June 19, 1990, in Sandusky, and after attending  Margaretta Schools, he received his GED.

He is survived by his mother Tammy Easterwood; his father Jimmy Veliz; son Mateo Veliz; sisters Chrystal Matter and Candra (Adam Sibley) Matter);...

Jun 12, 2025

Shirley M. Walton, age 87, of Sandusky, passed away Thursday night, June 12, 2025, at Parkvue Healthcare Center, Sandusky, following a lengthy illness.

She was born January 27, 1938, in Lynchburg, VA, and retired from GM New Departure.  She was raised in the Baptist church.

She is survived by three daughters Joanne Walton, Nancy (Charles)...