Gail Allen Benroth died March 19 after complications from multiple strokes and a battle with pneumonia. He was born October 29, 1942. He married Joan Ball (Williams) in 1970 and they were married for 26 years.
He served four years in the US Air Force as a jet engine mechanic before attending college at Utah State University where he earned a degree in social work and elementary education.
Marie C. Place, 99, of Bluffton, died at 9:20 a.m. March 29, at Willow Ridge - Bettye House, Bluffton. She was born March 12, 1916, in Bluffton to the late Jacob and Lena (Scherler) Schnegg. She was married to Harry Richard Place and he preceded her in death.
Per Marie's wishes, she will be cremated with private burial at a later date in Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery, Bluffton.
Arrangements are under the direction of Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
J. Norman Vercler died at 9:30 a.m. March 27, 2015, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. He had been a resident of Bluffton for 58 years.
He was born March 14, 1925, in Meadows, Ill., to the late Elmer and Naomi (Claudon) Vercler. He graduated from Chenoa High School and went on for further studies at Illinois State Normal University where he majored in science. After graduation, he began work at Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington as head medical technician, a position he held until 1956.
Paul Dean Kersh, 57, of Pandora died March 26, 2015, at his residence following a sudden illness. He was born Sept. 27, 1957, in Columbus to Robert and Eleanor Pingle Kersh.
He worked for the Benton Ridge Telephone Company since 1983. He enjoyed bowling, fishing and hunting and was a member of the Leipsic Fishing & Hunting Assoc. He was a graduate of Pandora-Gilboa High School.
Shirley E. Benham, 78, of Beaverdam died at 7:25 a.m. March 22, 2015 at her residence.
Shirley was born June 28, 1936, in Orange Township, Hancock County to the late John and Cora Balmer Marquart. On Nov. 7, 1957 she married Billy A. Benham and he preceded her in death on Jan. 19, 2009.
She was a homemaker and had worked as an executive secretary at the A.J. Heinz Company, Bowling Green. She was a 1954 graduate of Ada High School.
Mary E. Fruchey, 79, died March 12, 2015, at 4:47 pm at her residence. She was born Aug. 3, 1935, in Lima, to the late Lloyd and Pearl (McMillen) Haviland. She married Dick Inskeep who preceded her in death. She later married Robert Fruchey on February 25, 1961 and he died on Sept. 14, 2004.
Mary worked at Triplett Corp., Bluffton, for 27 years. She had worked at Fredrick's Beauty School prior to that. She attended Beaverdam Church of Christ. Mary was a graduate of Lafayette High School.
