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Obituaries

Lowell Willeke was clerk of Washington Township for 16 years

Was also treasurer of Hardin Northern schools

Lowell E. Willeke, 79, died on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at 2 p.m. at his residence in Dola, Ohio.

He was born on Feb., 1937 in Kenton, Ohio, to Gale and Mildred (Marling) Willeke who preceded him in death. On Feb. 2, 1958 Lowell married Shirley A. Boecher and she died on Sept. 7, 2002.

Lowell previously worked for BancOhio and served as the clerk of Washington Township for 16 years, where he lived and also farmed. Later he was the treasurer for Hardin Northern Schools and the Hardin County ESC. He was a life member of the St. John's Lutheran Church of Dola. Lowell was a member of the International Harvester Tractor Club Chapter 6.

Betty Reed previously worked at Triplett Corp., Bluffton

Betty J. Reed, 89, died on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at 6:26 a.m. at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.

She was born on Aug. 14, 1927, in Kinniconick, Ky., to Ernest and Dorothy (Pell) Rhoden who preceded her in death. Betty married Elvin Reed and he preceded her in death in 1986.

Betty formerly worked for Triplett Corp. of Bluffton, Westinghouse of Lima and prior to her retirement she worked at the Marysville Correctional Facility. Betty was a homemaker. She was a USO volunteer and a member of the Kenton Moose Lodge #428 Ladies Auxiliary.

Gary Nelson was a 1967 Ada High School graduate

Gary D. Nelson, 68, died on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, at 4:25 a.m. at his residence in Lima, Ohio.

He was born on Jan. 31, 1948, in Lima, Ohio, to Ralph M. and Freda L. (Curl) Nelson and they preceded him in death. On June 6, 1969, Gary married Marilyn E. Tarr and she survives in Lima.

Gary worked for the Shawnee Township Road Department. He retired after 30 years as superintendent. He was a 1967 graduate of Ada High School. He was a Vietnam War veteran having served in the US Army from 1967-1969. Gary was life member of the Ada VFW Post #9381 and a former member of the Indian Lake Lodge #1533 Loyal Order of Moose. He enjoyed drawing and woodworking.

Carolyn Risner was a member of Grace Gospel Church

Carolyn J. Risner,  78, died on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, at noon at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.

She was born on June 1, 1938, in Lima, Ohio, to Claude and Della (Hall) Gullett who preceded her in death. On May 19, 1956, Carolyn married Paul E. Risner and he preceded her in death on Jan. 19, 2015.

She was a member of Grace Gospel Church of Ada. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Joyce Murphy was a former Ada Girl Scout leader

 Joyce M. Murphy, 74, died on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, at 1:15 p.m. at Wapakoneta Manor in Wapakoneta, Ohio.

She was born on May 8, 1942, in Lima, Ohio to John Elmer and R. “Marie” (Jacobs) Keith and they preceded her in death. On June 4, 1961, Joyce married John E. Murphy and he preceded her in death on Nov. 22, 2004.

Joyce was a bookkeeper and assisted in the operation of Murphy Motor Sales Ada. She formerly worked at the Lima Telephone & Telegraph Company from 1960-1961 and then worked from 1961-1964 at the Lima Metropolitain Bank.

Mary Moyer Criblez was a graduate of Lafayette High School

Mary Moyer Criblez, 71, died Oct. 13, 2016, following a stroke, 10 years to the week of the death of her husband, Thomas L. Criblez of Bluffton.

She was born March 8, 1945, in Lima to Adrian and Beulah (Roberts) Moyer who preceded her in death. Her sister, Janice Kuldau also preceded her in death.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Linda (Arthur Higbee) Criblez of Saratoga, Calif., and Sally Criblez of Bethesda, Md.; her sister, Nancy Saddler of Harrod; her brother, Carl (Nolene) Moyer of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and three grandsons, Gabriel, Jackson and Grant Higbee of Saratoga, Calif.

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