Obituaries

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Ernest E. Porzelius, 94, passed away October 13, 2023, at 2:15 p.m., at Willow Ridge - Betty House.

Ernest was born February 1, 1929 in Secor, IL, to Walter and Catherine (Boeringa) Porzelius who preceded him in death. He married Violet Schwartz in 1957. They had 51 loving years together. Vi preceded him in death in 2008. 

Also preceding him in death is his son, Jim Porzelius (August of 2023), his brother, Fred, and his sisters Mary and Dorothy. 

Survivors include three daughters, Kathy Sawatzky of Little River, KS, Joan LoBianco of Bluffton, and Kris (Matt) DeVoe of Schoolcraft, MI; nine grandchildren, Melissa Sawatzky Hodgson, Tracy Sawatzky White, Nicole LoBianco Agner, Lauren LoBianco Brenneman, Tessa Porzelius, Kyler Porzelius, Leah DeVoe Westra, Sadie DeVoe, & Davis DeVoe; and twelve great-grandchildren. 

Ernie went to seminary in Chicago, IL, and met Vi when he was attending a conference near her home. That began a courtship through letter writing, which led to their marriage on August 10, 1957. 

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Claudia Diane (Ream) Schiffke passed away peacefully on September 17, 2023.  Claudia was born to Claude and Marcine Ream in Bluffton, Ohio. She received her High School Diploma from Cory-Rawson High School. She was married to Thomas Ury and together they had a daughter, Tammy. Thomas passed away in 1963. 

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Sue Anne Yant, 72, of Six Mile, South Carolina was born February 01, 1951 in Bluffton, Ohio. She passed away peacefully on September 22, 2023 surrounded by family. Sue was a 1969 graduate of Bluffton High School.  She will be deeply missed by family and all who knew her.

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E. Irene Baumgartner, 96, passed away October 11, 2023, at Mennonite Memorial Home.  

Irene was born August 20, 1927 in Watson, Saskatchewan, Canada to Enos and Winnfred (Mounsey) Suter who preceded her in death. On June 21, 1947 she married Dwight Baumgartner who preceded her in death on April 5, 2023. (View Dwight's obituary HERE.)

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Alfred Paul Heldman, 87 of Jenera went to his heavenly home on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Toledo Hospital.  He was born at home in Eagle Township on March 18, 1936, to the late Franklin and Ida (Schaller) Heldman. He was baptized on May 3, 1936, started attending Trinity Lutheran School in 1948 in the 7 th grade, the year the school opened, and then confirmed on May 14, 1950.

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Eugene “Gene” A. Fett, 85, passed away October 9, 2023, at Bridge Hospice Care Center in Findlay. 

Gene was born June 30, 1938 in Beaverdam to Carl and Geneva (Basinger) Fett who preceded him in death. On May 18, 1963 he married Geraldine "Gerry" (Freeman) Fett who survives. 

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