All Bluffton Icon News

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Steven C. Stitzel, “Stitz”, a resident of Ohio, passed away from complications from a Glioblastoma Brain Tumor on his 78th birthday at 7:05 p.m. on November 30, 2024, in hospice care at the Kobacker House with both his children by his side. His final hours were spent just a mile away from Ohio Stadium during the Ohio State vs. Michigan game. Unable to meet his goal of surviving to the end of the college football season, Steve crossed his final finish line 35 minutes after his birth time. Born at 6:30 p.m.

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Bluffton Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Christmas Cookie and Candy 'Mix and Match' sale on Saturday, December 14 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. All items will be sold for $8 per pound. Proceeds go to Mission and Fellowship projects.

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The following meetings have been scheduled by the Village of Bluffton. All will be at the Bluffton Town Hall.

Finance Committee on Wednesday, December 11 at noon.

Streets, Alleys, Lights and Sidewalk Committee on Thursday, December 12 at 3:00 p.m.

Cemetery Board on Friday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m.

Council Meeting on Monday, December 23 at 7:00 p.m.

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The Bluffton Icon moderates real and spam comments on our social media: Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Unfortunately, news such as events--especially those with tickets for sale or vendor opportunities--as well as news involving deaths, are prime targets for spammers. On these occasions, the Icon will hide or shut off comments for a post.

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In this series, the Icon presents the Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow comprehensive plan in eight segments, which can be found in full on the Village of Bluffton website HERE. The Bluffton Public Library has two print copies.

Improving an Asset 
Downtown Bluffton has an economic presence of its own. A mix of retail, banks, financial consultants, insurance, restaurants, and retail shops line Main Street. The majority of residential units above downtown businesses are currently occupied and are in high demand. 

Bluffton is known locally as one of the most charming villages in Northwest Ohio. Its downtown storefronts boast a near 100% occupancy rate, unlike American municipalities ravaged by suburbanization that suffer from underdeveloped parcels with empty storefronts and vacant lots. Bluffton has retail space, a movie theater, restaurants, library, post office, grocery store, primary healthcare, and other professional services downtown, a rarity in small-town Ohio.   CONTINUES ▶︎

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66 Years on Cherry Street

By Deb Beer

M & R stands for Bill McKibben and Harold Rau who originally began a partnership as McKibben and Rau at 118 Cherry St., Bluffton, working out of the garage at Bill McKibben’s home. This was 1958. The two men were brothers-in-law – Harold’s wife Ada is a sister to Bill’s wife Faye. According to Ada, they first did sheet metal work, roofing and plumbing and heating installation and repair.  The two couples were originally from the Continental, Ohio, area. McKibben had been working in the Findlay area and talked Harold into opening a shop in Bluffton.

In 1960 they opened a showroom in the former Dr. Munson Bixel office which was attached to the McKibben residence. This piece of real estate is now the Bluffton location of First National Bank of Pandora.

In 1962 the partners incorporated as M & R Plumbing and Heating. In 1973 Rau purchased McKibben’s half of the business and McKibben left to work for the Allen County Health Department as plumbing inspector. The following year, 1974, the business was moved to 212 Cherry St.  As part of the move, Rau installed an awning on the front of the building.   CONTINUES ▶︎

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