Obituaries

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Bonnie Marie Counts, 77, died on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, at 6:33 a.m. at Vancrest of Ada, surrounded by her loving children.

She was born on June 29, 1942, in Salyersville, Kentucky, to Chub and Audrey (Holiday) Wireman who preceded her in death. On March 3, 1962, Bonnie married Richard L. “Dick” Counts and he preceded her in death on Oct. 7, 2018.

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C. Joyce Zimmerly, age 81, died on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at 10:10 p.m. at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.

Joyce was born on Dec. 31, 1937, in Allen County, Ohio, to Ralph G. and Marian J. (Lyle) McElwain who preceded her in death. On Sept. 25, 1955 she married Glenn Eugene “Gene” Zimmerly and he preceded her in death on Dec. 5, 2013.

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Raymond E. McClure, 80, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, died on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at his home.

He was born on Aug. 14, 1938, in Ada, Ohio, to the late Ray and Helen (Doersam) McClure.  Raymond was employed at United Telephone as a Senior Analyst and retired after 42 years of service. 

He was a member of the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Ada.  He was also a member of the Mount Vernon Jaycees and the Colonial City Moose Lodge #2555.  Raymond was also very involved with Mount Vernon Girls' Softball.

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Elmer Collins, 89, on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. at his daughter’s residence in Elida, Ohio.

He was born on Nov. 17, 1929, in Alger, Ohio, to the late Burley and Rosie (Oliver) Collins. On June 9, 1950, Elmer married Erma Lee Stone and she preceded him in death on Feb. 24, 2014.

Elmer retired from Ford Motor Company of Lima in 1973. He was a member of the UAW Local #1219. He was a member of the Lima First Assembly of God Church.

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Frances E. Nichols, 92, died Monday, July 22, 2019, at 9:28 p.m. at Lima Memorial Health System.

She was born on Feb. 25, 1927, in Hardin County, Ohio, to the late Royal and Rosa (Coppler) Nichols.

Frances retired from Trend Trim Company of Spencerville after working for  34 years. She graduated from Alger High School class of 1945.  She resided with her niece, Teresa (Bernie) Rowe of Harrod for the last seven years.

Also surviving are her adopted brother and sister: Larry Allen Coppler-Nichols and Joyce Coppler; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

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Margaret J. Gossard, 82, died on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at 3:46 p.m. at Lima Memorial Health System.

She was born on July 23, 1936, in Alger, Ohio, to the late Harry and Sarah (Coppler) Nichols. On Sept. 2, 1969 Margaret married Leslie A. Gossard and he died March 10, 1970.

Margaret was a homemaker. She was a member of the Quickstep Pentecostal Church of God, Alger.

She is survived by a daughter: Lana A. (Bill Stebleton) Freshcorn of Lima; and one granddaughter: Desirea Freshcorn; two grandsons: Anthony Ellis and Eric Smith; and seven great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by seven brothers and four sisters.

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