Obituaries

Held a doctorate in nuclear physics, was president of ONU and University of Findlay

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Click here to read "Remembering Dr. Freed," by Monty Siekerman. 
Former Ohio Northern University President Dr. DeBow Freed died in his home in Ada on Feb. 8, 2020.

Born Aug. 26, 1925, DeBow Freed grew up on his family’s farm near Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was elected president of his high school class, graduated from Gallatin Tennessee High School at age 17, and was appointed, attended, and graduated from West Point in 1946 when he was 20 years old.

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 Joan I. Fleming, 65, died on Sunday, Feb, 9, 2020, at 11:33 a.m. at her residence in Lima.

She was born on July 31, 1954, in Lima, to the late Lester and Evelyn (Wright) Fleming. 

She worked in Sales and was a member of the St. Luke Lutheran Church, Lima. 

Joan is survived by her sister, Martha (Kenneth) Fitzpatrick of Springfield, Va.; three brothers: Thomas (Sharon) Fleming of LaFayette, Daniel (Linda) Fleming of Bluffton and John (Debra) Fleming of Harrod; and a sister-in-law, Jane (Ken) Madden of Sidney.

She was preceded in death by her brother, David Fleming.

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Dr. DeBow Freed, president emeritus of Ohio Northern University, died on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at his home, the Icon has learned.

He served as president of ONU for 20 years, retiring in 1999. Then, in 2003, he accepted the position of president at the University of Findlay, where he retired in 2010.

The Icon has yet to learn of funeral arrangements and will post those as soon as they are available.

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Maxine Wince,  86, died on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at 7:48 a.m. at Lima Memorial Health System. 

She was born on June 26, 1933, in Johnson County, Kentucky, to the late Floyd and Ocie (May) Bayes.  Maxine was previously married to Hobert Wright and he preceded her in death in 1971.  On June 20, 1981, Maxine married Glenn E. Wince and he preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 2014.

Maxine retired from Ford Motor Company Lima Engine Plant.  She was a homemaker and helped with the family farm.  Maxine was an avid gardener and enjoyed quilting, canning and crocheting. 

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Jackie A. Bailey, 50, died on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, at 6:41 p.m, Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.

She was born on Sept. 24, 1969, in Lima, Ohio, to John Bailey and Melinda Nichols. Her father and step mother, Wilma Bailey survive in Alger.  Her mother, Melinda Nichols Carpenter survives in West Virginia.

Jackie worked maintenance at McDonald's.  

Visitation on Thursday in Bluffton

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Kathleen M. Sehlhorst, 61, died Jan. 28, 2020 at her residence. Kathy was born June 7, 1958, in Bluffton to James and Ursula (Nussbaum) Alt. On Sept. 9, 1977, she married Chuck Sehlhorst who survives.

Kathy worked as a secretary at the Ohio Northern University - College of Pharmacy and at the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima.  She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bluffton.  She was a graduate of the Ohio State Beauty Academy and the University of Northwestern Ohio.

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