2-13-1971
William H. Giesken
Final rites were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday for William H. Giesken, 61, of route2, Ft. Jennings, who died at 8 a.
m. Saturday at his residence. He had been ill five years.
He was born June 27, 1909 in Ottoville, a son of John and Rosa Schlagbaum Giesken. He married Alice
Laverick September 29, 1945, in Wellingboro, England, and she survives.
Other survivors include two daughters, Kathleen and Evelyn, both at home five sons, Michael, Kalida,
David, William Jr., Joseph and Mark, all at home; two grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Nelson (Emma)
Schwinnen, Venedocia, and Mrs. Alphonse (Rosemary) Niemeyer, Ottoville; five brothers, Aloysius of Paulding,
Ambrose, Clarence, Julius and John, all of Delphos.
A World War II army veteran, he was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville,
and its Holy Name Society. He was mechanic at the J. L. Wannemacher Implement Company.
The Rev. Louis Hoffman officiated at the funeral services held in the church, with burial in St. Mary’s
Cemetery, Ottoville.
2-16-1971
Frank C. Eickholt
Requiem high mass will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) in the Immaculate Conception Catholic church,
Ottoville, for Frank C. Eickholt, 67, route 2, Ft. Jennings, who died Tuesday morning in Van Wert of an
apparent heart attack.
A farmer, he was born June 1, 1903 in Ottoville, a son of Edward O. and Susan (Moore) Eickholt. He
married Amanda Jerwers July 20, 1927, and she survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Julius (Alice) Buenger, Hamler; one grandchild; and brothers, Charles,
George, and Henry all of Columbus.
The Rev. Louis Hoffman will officiate at the funeral service, with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
2-22-1971
Mrs. Anna Grote
Mrs. Anna Grote, 83, former resident of the Ottoville community, more recently making her home at
Monroeville, died at 8:35 a.m. Monday in a Norwalk hospital. Solemn requiem mass was held at 11 a.m.
Thursday (today) in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville, with the Rev. Louis Hoffman
officiating.
She was born May 5, 1887, in Ottoville, to Frank and Bernadine (Brinkman) Kahle. She married Joseph
Grote in 1914 and he died in 1923.
Surviving are daughters, Mrs. Alvin (Mary) Hoffman, Kalida, and Mrs. Wilfred (Odelia) Myers, Monroeville;
sons, Leo, Ft. Jennings; Gerald, Kalida; Norbert, Ottoville; and Sylvester, Van Wert; for step-grandchildren.
Five great-grandchildren; and three step-great-granchildren; and a sister, Miss Bernadine Kahle, Ft. Jennings.
Mrs. Grote was a member of the Alter-Rosary Society and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville.
4-7-1971
Andrew A. Hoehn
Requiem High Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, for
Andrew H. Hoehn, 81, Ottoville, who died at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday at St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima.
He was born August 12, 1889, in Ottawa to John and Eva Moritz Hoehn. He married Rosa Weber in 1914,
and she died April 7, 1948.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Wilbert (Hilda) Menker, Dayton; and Mrs. Jerome (Ann) Bonifas,
Cloverdale; three sons, Lawrence, Ottoville; Walter and John of Cloverdale; 24 grandchildren; and six great-
grandchildren; and a brother Louis Hoehn of New Washington.
Mr. Hoehn, a retired farmer, was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, its Holy Name
Society and the Catholic Knights of Ohio.
Celebrant will be the Rev. Louis Hoffman, and burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville.
Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer-Helmkamp Funeral Home, Ottoville, after 7 p.m. Friday. Parish rosary will
be recited at 2 p.m. Sunday.
4-8-1971
Clara K. Sawmiller
Requiem High Mass for Clara K. Sawmiller, 80, Ottoville, was offered at 1 p.m. Monday in the Immaculate
Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville, with the Rev Louis Hoffman officiating. Mrs. Sawmiller died Thursday
night in St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima.
Born August 10, 1890, in Lisbon, Michigan, she was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Shaeffer) Tittner.
She married Charles Sawmiller, May 21, 1913, in Ottoville, and he died in 1962.
Survivors include sons, Cyril J., Lima; Harold A., Ottoville; and Charles P., Toledo; daughters, Mrs. Herman
(Alice) Beckman, Miller City; Mrs. Elmer (Rose) Seimet, Bono; Mrs. Leonard (Gertrude) Michel and Mrs. Alfred
(Theresa) Heiing, both of Ottawa; Mrs. Ralph (Ruth) Menke and Mrs. Ralph (Clara) Honigfort, both of Ft.
Jennings; and Mrs. Albert (Dorothy) Metcalf, Delphos; 30 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and a
sister, Mrs. Pauline Burgei, Cloverdale.
She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
and its Rosary-Alter Society.
Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
4-11-1971
Matthew Helmich
Matthew Helmich, 79, resident of the Ottoville community, died in Memorial Hospital, Lima, at 5:10 p.m.
Sunday. A resident of the Allen County Home in recent months he had been a hospital patient for several days.
Born on April 28, 1891, a son of John and Elizabeth Brinkman Helmich, he was married to Lena Schmall in
1926.
Surviving are his wife on Foley, Ala.; three sons, Frank and John of Foley, and James of Ormond Beach,
Calif.; two daughters, Mrs. Katherine Johns, of Purvis, Miss.; and Mrs. Mary Rogers, of Foley, and several
grandchildren.
Mr. Helmich was a former employee of the Gramm Corp., and a member of the Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church at Ottoville.
Services were held in the church at ten o’clock Wednesday morning. The Rev. Louis Hoffman officiated.
Burial was made in the parish cemetery.
6-20-1971
Elizabeth Linger
7-4-1971
Gilbert B. Eickholt
Funerals mass for Gilbert B. Eickholt, 74, route 2, Ft. Jennings, was offered at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville. Mr. Eickholt died at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in St. Rita’s Hospital,
Lima, following a three week illness.
Born in Ottoville February 3, 1897, he was a son of Frank and Catherine (Shirack) Eickholt. He married
Regina S. Grothaus in 1922, and she survives.
Other survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Elmer (Ruth) Horstman, route 2, Cloverdale; and Mrs. George
(Marilyn) Berres, route 3, Delphos; a son, Leonard, route 2, Ft. Jennings; 20 grandchildren; four great-
grandchildren; a brother, Leo, route 3, Delphos; two sisters, Mrs. John (Frances) Fenbert, route 2, Leipsic;
and Armella Eickholt, Celina.
Mr. Eickholt, a retired farmer, was a trustee of Monterey Township, and an officer of Ohio Mutual and
Ottoville Mutual Insurance Companies, he was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church an its
Holy Name Society.
The Rev. Louis Huffman celebrated the funeral mass, with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Edward H. Becker
Edward H. Becker, 78, died at 3 p.m. Monday in his home at Delphos.
He was born at Ottoville on September 16, 1892, the son of August and Mary Meyer Becker. On October
24, 1923, he was married the Catherine Burger.
Surviving with his widow are two daughters, Mrs. Maynard (Margaret) Koester, of Delphos; and Mrs. Doyt
(Virginia) Cox, of Avon Lake; a son, William J., of Delphos; 12 grandchildren; a great-grandchid; a sister Mrs.
Lucinda Hoffman of Defiance, and a brother August Becker of Ottoville.
A retired conductor for the Norfolk and Western Railroad, Mr. Becker was a veteran of World War I, a
member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Eagles Lodge, World War I
Barracks, St. John’s Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society.
Services were held at 10 o’clock this morning, Thursday, in St. John’s Church, Delphos. The Rev. Albert
Ottenweller officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
7-9-1971
Albert C. Wannemacher
Funeral Mass was offered at 10 a.m. Monday in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville, for
Albert C. Wannemacher, 81, who died at Paradise Oaks Nursing Home, Cloverdale.
He was born in Ottoville March 15, 1890, to Andrew and Magdeline (Zahner)Wannemacher. He married
Bertha S. Biedenharn in 1916. She preceded in death on October 31, 1969.
Surviving are a son, Howard, Dayton; three daughters, Irene Wannemacher, Lima; Mrs. Robert (Ruth)
Kleman, Ft. Jennings; Mrs. Vernon (Sharon) Rode, Vandalia; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and a
brother, Ferd, Celina.
A retired farmer, he was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and its Holy Name Society; and
he was a member of the Ottoville Senior Citizens.
The Rev. Louis Huffman officiated with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
7-26-1971
Hugo F. Hoersten
Funeral Mass for Hugo F. Hoersten, 52, was offered at 10:30 a.m. today, Thursday, in Immaculate
Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville. Mr. Hoersten, who had been ill with a heart condition, died at 9:15 a.m.
Monday in Lima St. Rita’s hospital.
Born July 20, 1919, in Ottoville, he was a son of Joseph and Anna (Beining) Hoersten. On November 7,
1945, he married Rose Fisher, who survives.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society, and the Delphos
Knights of Columbus. He was an employee of National Lima and Stone Co., Rimer.
Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Mrs. Steven (Joan) Bockey, Delphos; four sons, Thomas,
Jerry, James and Donald, all at home; six sisters, Mrs. Albert (Tille) Herman, Mrs. Ralph (Betty) Wegesin and
Mrs. Herbert (Clarann) Gerdeman all of Delphos; Mrs. Hubert (Julie) Hemker and Mrs. Herman (Victoria)
Luersman, both of Ft., Jennings, and Mrs. Elmer (Barbara) Schneider, Ottoville; four brothers, Vincent,
Delphos; Lawrence, Ottawa; and Anthony and Clarence, both of Ft. Jennings; a half sister, Mrs. Joseph
(Marie) Ellerbrock, Delphos; and two half-brothers, Joseph of Ottoville, and Edward of Ft. Jennings.
The Rev Louis Huffman will officiate the final services. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
7-30-1971
Henry H. Linger
Henry H. Linger, 88, of 743 E. 4th, died at 9:45 a.m. Friday in Paradise Oaks Nursing Home, Cloverdale,
after a lengthy illness.
Born November 13, 1882, in Ottoville, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Linger. He married Elizabeth
Haselman April 27, 1909, and she died June 30.
Surviving are two sons, Melitus, of Toledo; and Arthur of Temperance, Mich.; five daughters, Mrs. V. J.
(Leona) Willis, Mrs. Richard (Julia) Normburg and Mrs. George (Helen) Shively, all of Toledo; Mrs. Clayton
(Margaret) Backus of Delphos; and Mrs. Eugene (Agnez) Montz of Temperance; 13 grandchildren; and 14
great-grandchildren.
Mr. Linger was an employee of the Lima Locomotive Co. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church.
Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Monday in the church, Rev. Albert Ottenweller, celebrant. Burial will be made
in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville. Friends may call at Kolkmeyer-Helmkamp Funeral Home after 7 tonight.
8-10-1971
Robert E. Fortener
Robert E. Fortener, 67, Ottoville, died at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday at his residence after an illness of six months.
He was born May 12, 1904, in Delphos, to Frank and Magdaline (Krebs) Fortener. On November 27, 1924,
he married Regina Schmitt.
Also surviving are two sons; Eugene, Spring Lake, Mich.; John, Southgate, Mich.; three daughters, Mrs. Joe
(Helen) Bottoroff, Zanesville, Ind.; Mrs. Norman (Karen) Osting, Troy; and Mrs. Roger (Frances) Wurst,
Landeck; one son Robert Jr. is deceased.
Other survivors include 32 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mrs. Nelle Wagner,
Cleveland; Mrs. Frances Obermeyer, Delphos; and Mrs. Geneviev Case, California.
Mr. Fortener, who served as village clerk for 20 years, was a director of the Ottoville Mutual Telephone
Company and secretary-treasurer of the Ottoville community fire company. A member of the Immaculate
Conception Catholic Church, he served as extra-ordinary minister of the Eucharist. He was a retired employee
of the Ottoville Hardware.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Immaculate Conception Church. The Rev. Louis Huffman
will officiate, with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the Kolkmeyer-Helmkamp Funeral Home in
Ottoville after 7 p.m. Thursday.
The rosary will be recited at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
8-14-1971
Mary Fritz
Funeral Mass for Mrs. Mary Dietrich Fritz was held in the Immaculate Conception Church, Ottoville. Mrs.
Fritz died at 5:10 p.m. Saturday in Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, following and extended illness.
She was born in Ottoville to Robert and Jeanetta (Harpster) Martin. She married J. W. Dietrich, who died.
She later married Charles L. Fritz, who died in 1966.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Ned (Mildred) Jennings, Dayton; and Mrs. John (Margaret) Haunhorst,
Worthington; a brother, John Martin, Ottoville; three sisters, Mrs. John (Lulu) Bowersock, Middle Point; Mrs.
Mrs. Anthony (Pearl) Wieging, Ottoville; and Mrs. Lloyd (Zora) Logsden, Fostoria; and one grandchild.
The Rev. Louis Huffman officiated the final rites. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville.
10-12-1971
Clem Honigford
Clem Honigford, 71, route 1, Cloverdale, died at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday in St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima, following a
short illness.
A farmer, he was born September 17, 1900, in Ottoville, to John and Anna Honigford. On May 4, 1927, he
married Bertha Weber, and she died October 11, 1947.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Eugene (Dorothy) Fuerst, Ottoville; Mrs. Dan (Marilyn) Walsh,
Lima; and Betty Honigford, Lima; four sons, Richard, Delphos; Paul, Coldwater; Harold and Jerry both of
Ottoville; 23 grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Frank (Mary) Weber, Ottoville; and Mrs. Otto (Sabina) Miller,
Columbus Grove; three brothers, Ben, Joseph and Gilbert all of Ottoville.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society.
Requiem High Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the church. The Rev. Louis Huffman will be celebrant.
The burial will be in the church cemetery.
Friends may call after 7:00 tonight at Kolkmeyer-Helmlmp Funeral Home, Ottoville, where the rosary will be
recited at 9:00 tonight.
11-3-1971
August B. Becker
August B. Becker, 71, route 2, Ft. Jennings, died suddenly at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday in his home where he
was born. Requiem High Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Immaculate Conception Catholic
Church, Ottoville.
Mr. Becker was born June 20, 1900, to Bernard and Mary (Meyer) Becker. He married Eleanor Bruskotter
Jun 9, 1926, in Ft. Jennings, and she survives.
Also surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Leander (Rosemary) Wittler, Ft. Jennings; Mrs. Rufus (Helen)
Bonifas and Mrs. Arnold (Jane) Kimmet, both of Delphos; MRs. Jerome (Martha) Etzkorn, Landeck; and Mrs.
Larry (Marilyn) Woods, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; 23 grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Lucinda Hoffman, Defiance. A
daughter, Ruth, is deceased.
Mr. Becker, a retired farmer, was a former member of the Ottoville School Board, the Immaculate
Conception Church and its Holy Name Society.
Final rites will be officiated by the Rev. Louis Huffman, with the burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation will be at Klokmeyer-Helmkamp Funeral Home, Ottoville, after 7 p.m. today, Thursday. Parish
rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 9 p.m. Friday.
11-19-1971
Gilbert F. Schneeg
Gilbert F. Schneeg, 63, Ottoville, died at 9:45 a.m. to William G. and Anna (Luersman) Schneeg. He
married Mary Margaret Beckman in 1968 and she survives. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Daniel
Brookhart of Marysville, and Mrs. R. L. Baker of Florida.
Mr. Schneeg, owner and operator of Schneeg Motor Sales, was a member of Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church and the Delphos Knights of Columbus.
Funeral Mass was at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the church, the Rev Louis Huffman celebrant. Burial was in St.
Mary’s Cemetery.