1-3-1959
William Ulrich
Mr. William Ulrich, 86, died at 9 p.m. yesterday in the Toledo Hospital following a six month illness.
He was born in Austria Dec. 10, 1872. He was married in Austria to Anna Yager who died in 1912. He
married Miss Ann Antonia Kaiser who died in 1929.
Surviving are two sons Oscar of Fort Wayne and William J. of Delphos. Also surviving are seven
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Ottoville. The remains will rest in the
Kolkmeyer Funeral Home in Delphos.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
1-22-1959
Susan Gergen
Miss Susan Gergen, 87, who lived at the Lloyd Landin residence on Rt. 3, Ft. Jennings, died at 12:55 p.m.
Thursday in Lima St. Rita's Hospital. She was admitted to the hospital only a few hours before he death.
She was born April 17, 1871, an Ottoville, a daughter of Mathias, and Kathrine Gergen. She is the last
member of her family. Nieces and nephews survive.
Mrs. Gergen was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville.
Services will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Ottoville church, with Msgr. J. F. Frommherz
officiating. Burial will be in St Mary's Cemetery, Ottoville.
Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home, Delphos, after 7 p.m. today.
2-3-1959
Rose Brinkman
Died Tuesday Funeral Friday At Cloverdale
Mrs. Rose M. Brinkman, 72, Cloverdale resident, died in St. Rita's Hospital, Lima, at 7:00 Tuesday
morning. Her death followed an illness of one day.
Mrs. Brinkman was born at Ottoville on October 18, 1886, the daughter of Barney and Mary Honigfort. She
had resided in Putnam County all her life. She married Andrew Brinkman and he preceded her in death in
1940. No children were born by this union.
Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Charles Schimmoeller, of Spencerville, and four brothers, Edward, of
Cloverdale; William of Ottawa, Oliver and George of Kalida. Two brothers and one sister are deceased.
Mrs. Brinkman was a member of St. Barbara's Catholic Church and the Alter Rosary Society. Funeral
services will be held in the Cloverdale Parish church on Friday morning at 9:30. Father Lois Huffman, the
pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. The body will be at the McCrate funeral home in
Ottawa until time for services.
2-12-1959
William Becker
William A. Becker, 74, Glandorf, died at 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Rita's Hospital following a heart attack.
He was born Feb. 12, 1885, Ottoville.
Survivors include his wife, Veronica; one daughter, Mrs. Cloyd (Edna) Stahl, Delphos; four sons, Richard
Becker, California, Ralph Becker, Harold Becker and Kenneth Becker, all of Dayton; 16 grandchildren; three
great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ed Becker, Delphos, Ben Becker, Frankfurt, Ind., and August Becker,
Ottoville; and three sisters, Mrs.Lawrence Hoffman, Columbus Grove, Mrs. Pete Fischbach and Mrs. Albert
Hohlbein, both of Ottoville.
Requiem High Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church with Rev. Aloys Friedrick celebrant.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Friends may call at Fischer-McCrate Funeral Home, Ottawa, after 3 p.m. Saturday.
2-28-1959
Peter M. Krebs
Ottoville relatives have received word of the death of Peter Krebs, 64, former resident of that community,
who died Saturday in Elyria. A daughter, Mrs. Vera Smith of that city survives.
Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 9:30 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Elyria. Burial was
made in the parish cemetery.
3-3-1959
Joseph Plescher
Joseph Plescher, 69, of Ft. Wayne, a former Ottoville resident, died Wednesday night of last week.
He is survived by his wife, Irene; five daughters, Sister Mary Mark, Edna, Marceline, Eileen and Kathryn;
four brothers, Leo, of Los Palos, Calif.; Henry, of Detroit; Albert, of Ft. Jennings; and Jerry, of Cleveland; and
four sisters, Mrs. Joseph Brandehoff, of Delphos; Mrs. Anna Perrin, of Elida; and Mrs. M. H. Freund and Mrs.
Amelia Bechtel, of Lima.
Funeral services and burial took place in Ft. Wayne.
3-6-1959
Charles L. Sellet
Charles L. Sellet, 84, Ottoville, a retired interior decorator, died Friday at 1:45 p.m. in St. Rita's Hospital,
after a two weeks illness.
Born Aug. 25. 1874 in Ottoville, he was a son of Aloysius and Wilhelmina (Wannemacher) Sellet. He was
married in 1902 in Ottoville to Elizabeth Wurst, who died in 1954.
Surviving are a son, Sylvester of Ft Wayne, Ind.; two grandchildren; one brother, Joseph Sellet of
Hollywood, Fla.; one sister, Mrs. Louis Studer of Saint Maries, Idaho.
He was-a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Ottoville. Requiem High Mass will be intoned at 9:
30 a.m. Monday in the Immaculate Conception Church, with Msgr. J. F. Frommherz as celebrant. Burial will be
in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville. Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home, Delphos, until time for
services.
3-26-1959
Mary Ann Schulte
Mrs. Mary Ann Schulte, 79, of Kalida, died Thursday at 7 p.m. in Lima St. Rita's Hospital. She had been ill
for eight years.
Mrs. Schulte was born Sept 30, 1879 in Ottoville. She was married to Anton Schulte who died in 1936.
Survivors include five sons, Clem, Frank, and Alphons, all of Kalida; Joseph and Bernard of Ottawa; two
daughters, Mrs. Urban J. Lammers of New Cleveland: Miss Agnes Schulte of Kalida; 43 grandchildren; 27 grea-
grandchildren; two brothers, Oliver Beining and Theodore Beining of Ottoville; four sisters, Mrs. Catherine
Deitering and Mrs. Rose Koester of Ottoville; Mrs. Ann Hoersten of Delphos; and Mrs. Elizabeth Moeggenborg
of Sheperd, Mich. One daughter, two sons and four brothers preceded her in death.
She was a member of the Christian Mothers Society of the St Michaels Catholic Church of Kalida.
Solemn Requiem High Mass will be held Monday at the church at 10 a.m. Rev. Melchior Lochtefeld will officiate
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The body will be removed from the Fischer-McCrate Funeral Home to her home west of Kalida Sunday
morning.
4-8-1959
Ruth V. Gerdeman
Mrs. Ruth Verona Gerdeman, 30, 729 N. Pierce, Delphos, died at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday in her residence
from a heart attack. Death was unexpected.
Born Aug. 9, 1928 in Ottoville, she was a daughter of August and Eleanor (Bruskotter) Becker. She was
married May 9, 1953 to Donald A. Gerdeman, who survives. They were married in the Immaculate Conception
Church, Ottoville.
Also surviving are her parents five sisters, Mrs. Leander Wittier of Ft. Jennings, Mrs. Rufus Bonifas and
Mrs. Arnold Kimmet both of Delphos, and Martha and Marilyn Becker of Ottoville.
Mrs. Gerdeman was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Delphos, the Catholic Daughters of America
and the Altar-Rosary Society.
Requiem High Mass will be celebrated at 9:15 a.m. Saturday in St. John's Church, Delphos. Msgr. Carl F.
Reineck, pastor, will officiate.
Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Delphos
Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home, Delphos, after 7 p.m. Thursday and until time for services.
4-8-1959
Rev. Roger Hoehn
The Rev. Roger Hoehn, OSB, a member of the Benedictine Order and native of Ottoville, died Wednesday
in the Gallup, New Mex., Catholic Hospital, according to word received here. Father Hoehn who was born June
23, 1899 has two brothers in Lima and had visited here frequently. They are William of 788 S. Elizabeth, and
Leo of 231 West Vine.
Father Hoehn made his philosophical and theological studies at St. Vincent's Archabbey in Beatty, Pa.,
where he was ordained. His last appointment was as chaplain of the Sisters of Loretto Convent, Bernalillo, N.
Mex.
Other surviving brothers and sisters are Mrs. Louis Grote, Joseph Hoehn, Rudolph Hoehn, Sylvester
Hoehn, and Gilbert Hoehn, all of Ottoville; and Mrs. Mary Weber, Dearborn, Mich.
Solemn requiem mass will be offered at St. Vincent’s Archabbey in Beatty at 10 a.m. Tuesday, and burial
will be made in the Abbey Cemetery.
4-30-1959
Frank Brandehoff
Two Dead Three Others Seriously Injured
Two men were killed and three others seriously injured when the car in which they were riding skidded
backwards into the path of an automobile transport yesterday afternoon.
The freak accident occurred at 10 p.m. on Rt. 30-S about three fourth mile west of East Town Rd. when
the car occupied by the five men skidded on wet pavement while apparently trying to stop in a line of traffic.
Dead are Frank G. Breece, 56, Rt. 1, Middle Point, and Frank Brandehoff, 69, 340 W. Sixth, Delphos. Injured
in the accident were Edward Miller, Rt. 1. Middle Point; Ralph Warnecke, Rt. 3, Delphos; and Edward H.
Warnecke, Delphos.
Mr. Breece was dead on arrival at St. Rita's Hospital. Dr. H. E. Wisterman, assistant coroner, listed cause
of death as a fractured skull and broken neck. Mr. Brandehoff died in the emergency room of St. Rita's
Hospital about 8 p.m. He had not been moved from the emergency room due to the seriousness of his injuries,
hospital aides said. Coroner Dr. Richard Biery said Mr. Brandehoff died of internal injuries and a fractured
skull. The other three men were listed in "very serious" condition at St. Rita's Hospital this morning. The extent
of their injuries had not been fully determined, hospital aides said.
Mr. Brandehoff, Mr. Breece and Edward Warnecke were passengers in the back seat of the car driven by
Ralph Warnecke. Miller was riding in the front seat with the driver.
Witnesses said Warnecke's car skidded sideways on the wet pavement and then turned around several
times before the back of the car struck the moving automobile transport.
James Hamn, Waukegan, Ill., driver of the transport, was not injured in the accident.
He told sheriff's deputies and reporters he saw the car coming "I was unable to stop before the car
skidded into the front of the tractor," Hamn said.”
The impact knocked the car down an embankment on the south side of the roadway into a muddy field.
The back of the car was driven past the rear wheels by the impact which dented the metal Frame on the front
of the tractor.
Deputies said the collision would lave been more serious if the jumper of the tractor had not missed the
car's gasoline tank by less than an inch. If the gasoline tank had been crushed in the collision an explosion
would probably have resulted and the three men in the back seat would have probably been trapped by
flames, deputies said.
Mr. Breece, who apparently was riding on the left side of the back seat, was thrown from the car, his head
was in blood-soaked mud beside the car when deputies arrived at the scene.
The accident was reported to the sheriff's office as a non-injury accident and ambulances were not sent to
the scene until after the first deputies arrived and asked that ambulances be dispatched.
Four ambulances were needed to rush the five men to the hospital. A large crowd of motorists who parked
their cars near the accident scene hampered officers and ambulance attendants.
Employed at Gramm Trailer Corp., the men left the trailer manufacturing plant at 4 p.m. and the accident
occurred about 10 minutes later.
George Brandehoff, son of Mr. Brandehoff, said the men shared rides with one of the men driving each
week. The son said he would have been the sixth man in the car if he hadn't been laid off at the trailer firm
recently.
A second car was indirectly involved in the accident. A westbound car driven by Nicholas L. Christman,
Delphos, struck a mailbox on the opposite side of the road while trying to avoid the skidding Warnecke car.
Christman said he was slowing for traffic ahead when he looked in his rearview mirror and saw the car behind
his skidding sideways. He said he pulled onto the graveled shoulder of the road but was unable to stop his car
before it struck the mailbox.
Statements of other witnesses indicated that a westbound car had stopped while waiting for approaching
traffic to clear before making a left turn into a private driveway.
Investigation of the accident by sheriffs deputies was continuing this morning. Deputies said they had
been unable to question the driver of the car.
Mr. Brandehoff. was born Jan. 23, 1890 in Ottoville and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Brandeloff.
He was an employee of Graham Trailer Corporation.
Surviving are a son George of Delphos: one grandson; four sisters, Mrs. Ernma Byrne of Ottoville, Mrs.
Maime Deitering of Chessaning. Mich., Mrs. Sabine Weber of Chessaning, and Mrs. Einora Schulien of Ft.
Wayne; four brothers, William of Delphos. Gilbert of Delphos. John of La-Otte. Ind., and Laverne of
Wapakoneta.
Mr. Brandehoff was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Delphos, Knights of Columbus, American
Legion. Ottoville Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a World War I Veteran.
5-18-1959
George Miller Sr.
George Miller Sr., 93, Ottoville, died at 10:20 a.m. Monday at his residence, after a serious illness of one
week.
Born Dec. 12, 1865 in Delphos, he was a son of John and Johanna Miller. He was married April 14, 1891
at Ottoville to Mary Yocklin, who survives along with three sons, Adolph Miller of Ottoville, George Miller Jr. of
Ottoville, and Anthony Miller of Piqua: one daughter, Mrs. Arnold (Mary) Liebrecht of Ottoville: 23
grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren; and one foster-son, William Yockin of Defiance. Three sons,
Joseph, Henry and Albert, are deceased.
Mr. Miller founded the Miller Brothers Clay Works at Ottoville in 1914. He retired in 1921. The Clay Works
is now being operated by his sons. He also operated and managed a farm until 1932. Mr. Miller was a member
of the Immaculate Conception Church, Ottoville, the Catholic Knights of Ohio, and the St. Joseph Holy Name
Society.
Requiem High Mass will be sung Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Cnurch, with Msgr.
J. F. Frommherz as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville.
Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home, Delphos, after 2 p.m. today.
6-1-1959
Catherine King
Mrs. Catherine King, 77, Ottoville, died at 3:20 a.m, Monday in St. Rita's Hospital, after an illness of one
week.
Born Jan. 6, 1882 in Delphos, she was a daughter of John and Margaret (Bereitschaft) Beer. She was
married May 17, 1899 at Delphos to Frank H. King, who died Oct. 1, 1950.
Surviving are two sons, George King and John King, both of Ottoville; one daughter, Miss Margaret King
of Ottoville; and three grandchildren.
Mrs. King was a member of the Catholic Ladies of Columbia, the Altar-Rosary Society, and the Immaculate
Conception Church, Ottoville.
Requiem High Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the Immaculate Conception Church with
Msgr. J. Frommherz as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ottoville.
Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home, Delphos, after noon Tuesday.
6-2-1959
Antoinette Grote
Antoinette Grote, 63, Ottoville, died Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in her residence after an illness of six weeks.
Born July 22, 1895 in Ottoville she was a daughter of Anton and Margaret Hoehn.
She was married Oct. 3, 1917 at Ottoville, to Louis J. Grote. Who survives along with one son Melvin of Ft.
Jennings; one grandchild six brothers, William of Lima, Joseph of Ottoville, Leo of Lima Sylvester of Ottoville,
Rudolph Ottoville, and Gilbert of Ottoville and one sister, Mrs. Mary Weber of Detroit.
Mrs. Grote was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church Ottoville; the Catholic Ladies o Columbia; and
the Altar – Rosary Society.
Requiem High Mass will be celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church at 9:30 a.m. Friday with Msgr.
J. F. Frommherz as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ottoville.
Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home, Delphos after 2 p.m. Wednesday.
6-2-1959
Adeline P. Kundert
Mrs. Adeline P. Kundert, 70, 404 W. Fifth, Delphos, died at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at her residence, after a
serious illness of eight months.
Born July 2, 1888 in Ottoville, she was a daughter of Henry and Carolyn Wurst.
She was married May 24, 1913 at Delphos, to Edward G. Kundert.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, E. J. Kundert, and J. E. Kundert, both of Delphos; eight
grandchildren; twin sisters. Miss Anna Wurst of Delphos and Mrs. Sylvester Wannemacher of Ottoville.
Mrs. Kundert was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Delphos, the Altar-Rosary Society and the
Sacred Heart League.
Requiem High Mass will be celebrated at 8:45 a.m. Saturday in St. John's Church, with Msgr. Carl F.
Reineck as celebrant. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home, Delphos, after 7 p.m. today.
6-9-1959
John Krietemeyer
Ottoville Man Dies In Car-Tractor Wreck
A 40-year-old Ottoville man was killed last night when a 17-year-old driver apparently failed to observe a
stop sign and crashed into a tractor at the intersection of State Routes 66 and 114, six miles east of Grover Hill
in Paulding County.
State Highway patrolmen are continuing their investigation of the accident today to determine the exact
cause of death, but it is believed that John August Kreitemeyer was thrown from his tractor by the collision
impact and suffered fatal injuries.
Dennis D. Fast, 17, of Rt. 1, Grover Hill was driver and owner of the car. Jerry W. Priest, 19, of Rt. 2,
Grover Hill was a passenger.
Investigating patrolmen stated that Priest suffered severe shock following the accident and was taken to
Defiance Hospital where he was admitted for observation. Driver Fast sustained chest bruises and cuts on
both knees.
Officers said the accident occurred when Kreitemeyer, driving south on Rt. 66, passed through the
intersection of Rt. 114 and was struck by the car, headed west on Rt. 114. Patrolmen were investigating skid
marks today.
The weather was cloudy, patrolmen reported, but the road was level and dry.
Fast was cited by investigating officers and will appear in Judge Fred Carr's probate court at Paulding on
June 23, to face the charges.
Investigating officers refused to comment on the possibility of manslaughter charges until after the
investigation is completed.
Kreitemeyer's body was removed to Didrich's Funeral Home in Grover Hill.
John A. Krietemeyer, 40, Ottoville, a farmer died from multiple fractures and a crushed chest, as the result
of an automobile-tractor accident at 11:15 p.m. Thursday in Mandale at the intersection of Rts. 66 and 114.
Born Dec. 23, 1918 in Ottoville. he was a son of John H. and Katharina (Wallen) Krietemeyer.He never
married.
Surviving are a brother, Frank of Ottoville; a step-brother, Davis, at home; four sisters, Mrs. Denno Miller
of Delphos, Miss Loretta Krietemeyer, at home, Sister Mary Petronia CPPS, Carthagena, Mrs. Alex Ruhe of
Continental; and one step-sister, Mrs. Andy Wurst of Delphos.
Mr. Krietemeyer was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Ottoville, where Requiem High
Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday with Msgr. J.F. Frommherz celebtant. Burial will be in St. Mary’s
Cemetery, Ottoville.
Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home, Delphos, until time of services.
6-13-1959
John A. Klima (Infant)
6-21-1959
John G. Bendele
Ottoville Man Dies In Crash
A motorist, thrown to the ground after his car ran off a Rt. 224 curve and overturned, was dead on arrival
at St. Rita's Hospital Sunday afternoon.
John G. Bendele, 20, of Rt. 2. Ft. Jennings suffered a fractured neck, spine and skull.
A passenger in the Bendele car, Thomas Rose, 15, of rural Ft. Jennings, was listed in good condition this
morning at St. Rita's.
Sheriff Arnold Potts reported that his deputy, George Klausing, who investigated the crash scene, could
find no apparent reason for the car failing to take the curve.
The only possible suggestion, according to the sheriff, was that the road had been "bleeding" (tar melting)
from the hot temperature.
The auto was traveling west on the highway, went off the south side of the road and came to rest in a field.
The accident occurred one mile east of Ottoville.
The sheriff reported it was only the second traffic fatality in Putnam this year.
The victim was born Dec. 15, 1938 near Ottoville, a son of the late Aileen Bendele, who died in 1945, and
John C. who survives.
Also surviving are a step-mother, Angela Bendele; three sisters, Doris at home; Mrs. Mary Jane Miller,
Dayton; Sharon Rose, Kalida; one brother, Donald L., Kalida; two step-brothers, Dan and John Wannemacher,
at home; one step-sister, Joyce Wannemacher, also at home, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Bendele of Delphos.
The youth was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Ottoville and its Holy Name
Society.
Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the church. Msgr. J. F. Frommherz will officiate, officiate,
with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ottoville.
The body is at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home, where friends may call after 7 p.m. today.
8-3-1959
Anna M. Perrin
Mrs. Anna M. Perrin, 70, wife of Charles Perrin, route 2 Elida, died at 9 a.m. Monday following a heart
attack.
Born August 10, 1888, in Ottoville, she and her husband, to whom she was wed February 12, 1907, had
lived in the Ottoville area their entire married life prior to moving to their present address five years ago.
Also surviving are five sons, Lest, Flint, Mich., Henry and Louis, both of route 1, Elida, Leo, route 2
Spencerville, and Ralph, Lima; four daughters, Mrs. Eugene Miller, route 2, Spencerville, Mrs. Ralph Shaw,
and Mrs. Robert Grothaus, both of Lima, and Mrs. Marth Schrider, Santa Monica, Calif.; 37 grandchildren; 13
great-grandchildren; four brothers, Gerhard Plescher, Cleveland, Henry Pleacher, Detroit, Mich., Leo
Plescher, Los Palos, Calif., and Albert Plescher, Ottoville, and three sisters, Mrs. Josephine Brandehoff,
Delphos, and Mrs. Amelia Bechtel and Mrs. Teresa Freund, both of Lima.
Mrs. Perrin was a member of St. John’s Church, Delphos, and the Alter Rosary Society of the church.
8-7-1959
William T. Remlinger
W. T. Remlinger, Ottoville, Dies
Former Civic Leader Ill Three Weeks
William T. Remlinger, 86, former director of the Ottoville Bank, and Loan and Telephone Companies, died
last Friday at 9:40 a.m. in Lima St. Rita’s Hospital after an illness of three weeks.
Born March 23, 1873, in Ft. Jennings, he was married June 17, 1896, to Nellie A. Huysman, who died in
1952.
In addition to serving as director of the three local companies, Mr. Remlinger had operated a drug store in
Ottoville for 65 years, and had owned and operated a farm on which he raised prize poultry.
He also was former township clerk, served on the Ottoville school board and as a member of the Putnam
County Democratic Central and Executive Committees, and was a member of the Immacualte Conception
Catholic Church.
He is survived by two sons, Walter A. and Harold C. Remlinger, both of Delphos; seven grandchildren; and
12 great-grandchildren.
Requiem High Mass was sung Monday at 9 a.m. in Immaculate Conception church. Burial followed in St.
John’s Cemetery Delphos. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. J. F. Frommherz officiated.
8-30-1959
Edward G. Kramer
Edward G. Kramer, 76, resident of Ottoville, died in Van Wert Convalescent Home at four o’clock Sunday
afternoon following an illness of three months.
He was born in Alexandria, Ky., on June 30, 1883, a son of George and Elizabeth Kramer. In 1907 he was
married at Ottoville to Mathilda Pohl.
Surviving with his wife are six daughters, Mrs. Andrew Wihebrink, of Covington, Ky., Mrs. M. Goldberg, of
New York, N. Y., Mrs. Louis Boerger, of Ottoville, Mrs. James Fehrman, of Carlisle, Ohio, Mrs. Earl Gillen of
Dayton, and Mrs. Walter Koons of San Francisco; a son Al Kramer of Frankfort, Germany; 12 grandchildren; a
brother August Kramer of route 1 Delphos; and a sister, Mrs. Ben Trauct, of Newport, Ky.
Mr. Kramer was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic church, Ottoville, where funeral services
were held Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock, Msgr. J. F. Frommherz officiated. Burial was made in the parish
cemetery.
10-4-1959
Catherine Heitmeyer
Catherine Heitmeyer, 75, Rt. 3, Ft. Jennings, died at 3:45 p.m. Sunday in her residence after an illness of
six months. She had been seriously ill for six weeks.
Born Feb. 15. 1884 in Glandorf she was a daughter of William and Anna (Stielbrink) Dickman She was
married Oct. 28, 1903 at Ottoville to Frederick Heitmeyer. He died March 9, 1945.
Surviving are eight children John of Columbus Grove, Mrs. Corneilius (Barbara) Brinkman of Ft. Jennings,
Alphonse of Columbus Grove, Mrs. Cleo (Frances) Schimmoeller of Ft. Jennings. Mrs. Gilbert (Jean) Smith of
Columbus Grove, Leo Arnold and Norbert, all of Ft. Jennings 42 grandchildren; and seven great-
grandchildren; two brothers. Anthony Dickman of Ottoville, an Ben Dickman of Ft. Jennings Three sisters, and
three brother preceded her in death.
She was a member of the Atar-Rosary Sodality and the Immaculate Conception Church, Ottoville.
Requiem high mass will be sun Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church with Msgr. J. F.
Frommherz as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ottoville.
The body will be taken from the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home Delphos, to the family residence at 6:30 p.m.
today.
10-30-1959
Bernard A. Hilvers
Crash Kills 1 Hurts 2
A two-car crash in an early morning fog, two miles north of here on Rt. 66, took the life of Bernard Hilvers,
18, of Ft. Jennings, and seriously injured a retarded youth and a Delphos woman, this morning at 7:50.
Hilvers was dead on arrival at St. Rita's Hospital at 8:30 where he had been brought along with Richard
Sellet, 14, of Ottoville and Mrs. Marie Gerdeman, 28, by Harter & Son ambulance of Delphos.
He suffered a crushed head, chest and internal injuries and died halfway to Lima, ambulance attendants
said. Dr. Richard J. Biery, Allen County coroner ruled death accidental.
Hilvers and John A. Sellet 18, brother of the injured youth were on their way to the Northwestern School of
Commerce in Lima, where they are students.
Sellet was uninjured. His brother Richard, a retarded youngster, was on his way to Robin Rogers school in
Lima The boy suffered multiple fractures and was listed in serious condition in St. Rita's Mrs. Gerdeman, who
was headed north when the accident occurred, was also in serious condition with a fractured pelvis, right leg
and left wrist.
Sellet the driver of the southbound car said they were traveling behind a truck driven by Art Hermiller for
the Miller Tile Company, south of the accident scene on Rt. 66. Sellet said as he went to pass the tile truck, at
40 miles an hour, they were struck head-on by Mrs. Gerdeman's auto, which he claimed was traveling without
headlights.
The autos went off, the east side of the road and disentangled in a field. Both were almost completely
demolished.
The Van Wert Sheriffs office, Putnam Co. Sheriff's office and Van Wert Post of the Highway patrol had
cars on the scene.
11-5-1959
Kathleen Wannemacher (Infant)
Infant Interred At Ottoville
Graveside rites were held Saturday afternoon at one o’clock in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Ottoville, for
Kathleen, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wannemacher, who died at 6:58 Friday morning, five hours
after birth in St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima.
In addition to her parents, the infant is survived by a brother, Kim, at home; a half-sister, Janice Barringer,
of Lima; the maternal grandfather, Wilbur Hardin of Wapakoneta; the paternal grandfather, Irvin
Wannemacher, of Ft. Jennings, and maternal great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Erwin, of Lima.
12-15-1959
Matt Lauf
Mathias Lauf, 101, Oldest County Resident, Dies
Mathias Lauf, oldest resident of Putnam County, died in St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima, at 8:15 Wednesday
evening. He was 101 years of age.
A resident of Ottoville, Mr. Lauf fell at his home Tuesday afternoon. Injuries and shock resulting from the
fall caused his death.
Mr. Lauf was born in Glandorf on July 11, 1858, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Lauf. In 1895 he was
married at Ottoville to Katherine Fischbach. She preceded him in death in 1930. He resided in Putnam County
all his life.
The centenarian was engage in farming until his retirement less than 30 years ago, and until a year ago
managed to cultivate a garden near his residence in Ottoville.
Residents of the Ottoville community honored Mr. Lauf with a program on his 98th birthday and a special
community program was given on his 100th birthday, when a Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving was offered
at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and a special dinner was served. At the time a tree to his
memory was planted and dedicated on the Ottoville school grounds.
Mr. Lauf is survived by a brother, Henry Lauf, Ft. Jennings.
He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where funeral services will be held at
nine o’clock Friday morning. Msgr. J. F. Frommherz. The pastor, will officiate. Burial will be made in the parish
cemetery.
The body will be at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home in Delphos until time for services.
12-16-1959
Irma Binder
Word was received in Ottoville Wednesday evening that Miss Irma Bender, a native and former resident of
Ottoville, had died in Toledo.
The body will be brought to Ottoville where funeral services will be held in the Immaculate Conception
Church with burial in the parish cemetery.
12-17-1959
Mary C. Turnwald
Mrs. Mary Catherine Turnwald died Thursday at 8:35 p m. at St. Rita's Hospital in Lima due to a coronary
attack suffered in her home two hours prior.
She was 64 years old, born Oct. 23, 1895, at Ottoville. Her parents were Henry and Catherine (Ricker)
Landwehr. She was married Nov. 19, 1914, at Ottoville, to William M. Turnwald. They have three sons and two
daughters, Sylvester, Leon and John, all of Ottoville; Mrs. John (Anna Marie) Eickholt of Ottoville and Miss
Betty Turnwald at home. A son William, Jr., was killed inaction in World War II.
There are 16 grandchildren. The deceased also has four brothers and four sisters. The brothers are
Charles Landwehr of Kalida, William Landwehr of Delphos, and Henry Landwehr and John Landwehr of
Ottoville. the sisters are, Mrs. Ernest (Catherine) Ruply of Hudson. Mich.: Mrs. August (Anna) Koenig of
Leipsic and Mrs. Carl (Elizabeth) Koenig of Adrian, Mich.; and Mrs. Richard (Wilma) Tigner of Deiphos.
She belonged to the Altar Rosary Society and the VFW Auxiliary at Ottoville. She was a member of the
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ottoville.
Services Monday at 9:30 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church with Rev. J. F. Frommhertz, pastor,
officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville.
She will at the Kolkmeyer Funeral Home at Delphos after 2 p.m. Saturday until time for the services.
12-26-1959
Elizabeth J. Kehres
Miss Elizabeth J. Kehres, 76, died at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kollmeier Invalid Home, Findlay, after a
three-day illness.
She was born at Ottoville Sept. 6, 1883, a daughter of Andrew and Anna Kehres.
Survivors are eight sisters, Miss Gene Kehres of South Bend, Ind., Mrs. Josephine Hummer of
Denver, Colo., Miss Clara Kehres and Miss Amelia Kehres of Washingon, D. C., Mrs. Edith Kaverman of Ft.
Wayne; Mrs. Leone Hesselng of South Bend; Miss Annette Kehres of Denver, and Mrs. Gertrude Ames of
Concord, Calif.; and a brother, Cyril of Ft. Worth Tex.
A requiem high mass will be sung at 9 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's Catholic Church, Delphos, with Msgr.
Carl F. Reineck as celebrant. Burial will be in the church Cemetery.
Friends may call at Kolkmeyer Funeral Home after 7 p.m. today.