Obituaries

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Linda (Beechy) Houshower, 70, died on August 5, 2022 at University of Michigan Hospital after a short struggle with a rare, untreatable cancer.  Born December 27, 1951, to the late Orin and Marie (Ramseyer) Beechy, she grew up in Wooster, OH where she was an active member of Oak Grove Mennonite Church and the YMCA where she taught swimming.  During high school years, she was a counselor at Camp Friedenswald where she developed her love of nature and met her life partner, Hans Houshower. 

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Janet Blank, 79, of Bluffton, OH went home to be with the Lord on Saturday evening, August 6, 2022 at home with family by her side. 

Janet was born April 6, 1943 to Jesse and Lillian (Kennel) Yoakam, who preceded her in death. On June 16, 1962 she married David M. Blank, who survives in Bluffton. 

She was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry (Rachel) Yoakam. 

Survivors include a brother, Roger (Shirley) Yoakam of Pickerington, OH; a son, Randall (Kaylene) Blank of Ottawa; a grandson Levi Blank of Pandora, and a granddaughter Michaela Blank of Columbus. 

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LIMA⎯Michael A. Pierce, age 64, passed away the evening of August 2, 2022, with family by his side.  

Michael was born July 24, 1958 in Lima, OH, to Harold and Martha (Wendelken) Pierce who both preceded him in death. 

Michael proudly served in the United States Navy for 6 years. He was employed by SumiRiko Ohio (formerly DTR) for 17 years. He leaves behind a great group of friends and co-workers.

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COLUMBUS GROVE–Tami Jo McCullough, 58, of Columbus Grove, formerly of Gilboa, passed away August 4, 2022, at her home. 

Tami was born March 14, 1964 in Bluffton to Fred and Barbara (Holiday) Lehman who preceded her in death.  

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Ida Bernice (Sneary) Dunlap, 93, passed into the loving arms of her Savior on August 5, 2022 at the Meadows of Leipsic. Ida was born July 12, 1929 to Lester W. and Sarah B. (Gilbert) Sneary who preceded her in death.  She grew up in Vaughnsville, Ohio with her three brothers. On January 28, 1946 she married Donald E Dunlap.  They shared 64 years together before Donald’s death in 2010.

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James “J.R.” Phipps, age 43, of Ada, passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022, at his residence in Ada, surrounded by his family.  

He was born on August 30, 1978, in Hobart, IN to Mary E. (Phipps) Hale.  His mother and father, Mary and Doyal Hale preceded him in death.

J.R. is survived by two children: Kadin and Khloe Phipps; a special friend: Roxanne Velasquez; two brothers: Cann “Casey” Phipps, and Christopher (Rita) Hale; and a sister, Angie (Kevin) Hunt.  J.R.’s  mother-in-law: Ida Velasquez also preceded him in death.

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