Obituaries

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Bluffton native Paul Soldner, who died Jan. 3, 2011, had extensive obituary published in the Jan. 8, 2011, New York Times. The article's headline follows: Paul Soldner, Who Created Towering Ceramic Sculptures, Is Dead at 89.

To view the New York Times obituary click here.

To read the Bluffton Icon obituary click here.

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Paul Soldner

For additional information click on this blog:

http://paulsoldner.blogspot.com/2010/12/it-is-with-great-sadness-that-i-...

Bluffton native Paul Soldner, artist and innovator in the field of ceramic art, 89, died at his winter home in Claremont, California, on Jan. 3, 2011.

He was a member of the Bluffton University class of 1946 and was an art major.

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Mary Avon Sommers

Mary Avon Sommers, 90, of Pandora died at 12:50 a.m. Dec. 26, 2010 at Bluffton Hospital. She was born Feb. 21, 1920 in Pleasant Township, Putnam County, to Alvin and Avon Geiger Lugibihl. On Dec. 15, 1939, she married Donavin Sommers and he preceded her in death on May 1, 1997.

Mrs. Sommers was a homemaker. She had worked at the Pandora-Gilboa school cafeteria, Welty-Schumacher Egg Co., Pandora, and the Imperial Discount Grocery, Bluffton.

She was a member of the Ebenezer Mennonite Church, Bluffton, and a graduate of Pandora High School.

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Billy A. Chidester

Billy A. Chidester, 81, of Bluffton, died at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21, 2010, at Bluffton Hospital.

He was born June 1, 1929 to Charles and Roberta (Church) Chidester in Cridersville, Ohio. He married Barbara Leigh on April 8, 1951. He later married Thelma Knupp (Feb. 1, 1986) and she died Oct. 4, 2009.

Mr. Chidester retired after 46 1/2 years from the Nickel Plate-Norfolk Western Southern Railroad. He was a member of the Sugar Creek Church of the Brethren, Lima, and was attending College First Church of God, Findlay.

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Bluffton native Roger G. Bell, 79, of Fairfield Glade, Tenn., died Dec. 19, 2010 at Cumberland Medical Center.

After serving in the United States Army he attended Ohio Northern University followed by working 34 years at RCA/GE in Findlay. He worked as an Engineering Technician.

He was born in Bluffton to Maurice Lowell and Kathryn Jeanette Stratton Bell on Dec. 29, 1930.

He was a member of the Fairfield Glade Community Church.

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Ray Niswander

H. Ray Niswander, 87, of Bluffton died at 6:10 p.m. Dec. 13, 2010, at the Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora.

Mr. Niswander was born Nov. 8, 1923, near Bluffton to Henry and Olivia Helms Niswander. On Aug. 28, 1948 he married Alice Oyer and she survives.

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