Obituaries

Former Bluffton resident Paula E. Monroe, 76, of Maumee, Ohio, died on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo.

She was born Nov. 16, 1944, in Bluffton, to Paul and Martha Greding. After graduating from Bluffton High School in 1962, she attended Toledo Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1965. She married Larry Monroe on March 26, 1966, in Lambertville, Mich.

Mark Douglas Ritchie, 36, died on Tuesday, Nov.17, 2020, at 6:41 p.m. at his residence in Bluffton.

He was born on July 22, 1984 in Kenton to Dale Ritchie of Alger and Shelly (Carmean) Ritchie of Ada.

Mark worked for A-Z Meats in Bluffton.  

Also surviving is his maternal grandmother, Nancy Tarr; two sisters: Amber Ritchie of Ada and Lindsey Ritchie of Spencerville; and a niece, Bayleigh Gay.

 Mark was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents: Ervin and Dorothy Ritchie; maternal grandfather, Jim Carmean; and a niece, Autumn Nicole.

Graveside service on Friday

Betty J. Baumgartner, 88, died Nov. 21, 2020, at the Hilty Memorial Home in Pandora, where she resided with her husband, Bernie.  She was born on Oct. 19, 1932 in Lima to the late Howard and Alice (Oard) Busick. On Feb. 14, 1949, she married Bernard W. Baumgartner and he survives.  

Army veteran, serving in Korean conflict

Robert W. Hower, 92, died Nov. 21, 2020, at Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.  Bob was born Aug. 21, 1928, in Bedminster, Pennsylvania, to the late William and Clara (Schwartz) Hower. He married A. Jean Roark Hower who preceded him in death.

Bob graduated from Bangor High School in Pennsylvania. He received his bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Bluffton College and later his teaching certificate from Ohio Northern University. 

Marcus Barnett, 64, died on Nov. 19, 2020 at Blanchard Valley Hospital, Findlay.  Marcus was born Dec.18, 1955 in Ivyton, Kentucky, to the late Noah and Avenell (Perkins) Barnett. On March 2, 1974, he married Barbara Dudgeon Barnett who survives.

Marcus worked at Tower International in Bluffton for 37 years and was an active member of Pleasant View United Methodist Church, Mt. Cory.  .

Mary Joyce (Traucht) Beagle, 79, of Arlington died at her residence on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, surrounded by her family.  

She was born on Dec. 15, 1940, at Bluffton Community Hospital to the late LeRoy and Ruth E. (Rossman) Traucht. She married Jerry L. Beagle on June 15, 1958, at Good Hope Lutheran Church, Arlington, and he survives.

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