November 2025

By Bill Herr

During my time as chaplain at Mennonite Memorial Home for 24 years, I met a number of residents who were veterans, mostly from World War II. I don't remember all their names, but I remember their stories. 

Happy Monday, Ada! Here are AdaIcon.com's top stories from the week that was, November 10-16. For a chronological look at all Icon content, visit AdaIcon.com/archive

NOVEMBER 10

Chamber releases video: Welcome to Ada, Pt. 1

Charles E. “Chuck” Wilson, age 78, of Dunkirk, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Findlay Hospice Care Center. 

He was born on September 28, 1947, in Lima, Ohio, to the late James A. and Margaret M. (Krebs) Wilson.  On June 26, 1971, Charles married Bonnie Campbell, and she survives in Dunkirk.  

FROM FACEBOOK__This week the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce is joined by Ada merchants and restaurants in special Third Thursday opportunities from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Participating businesses include Beatitudes Ada, Bee Home, Our Garden of Gifts, The Mercantile on Main and all restaurants.

This is the second Third Thursday event promoted by the chamber. The December Third Thursday event will take place on the 18th.

David Lee Wagner, 71, passed away November 16, 2025 at Bridge Hospice Care Center in Findlay. David was born May 24, 1954 in Bluffton, Ohio to the late Carl and Mary Ruth (Gudakunst) Wagner. On October 1, 1988, he married Susan Faze Wagner who preceded him in death on June 4, 2021. 

David graduated from Ada High School. He retired from Findlay Truck Line where he was a diesel mechanic and was also a life-long farmer. David was a member of the Riley Creek Baptist Church, Bluffton where he was an active member serving as a deacon and sound system operator.

ABOVE audio sample

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Icons have new opportunities for local creators of audio and video content about the Ada community. Organizations and individuals can now share videos via YouTube links or provide audio and video files as part of media releases.

The Icon is also looking for content creators to take video assignments or provide podcasts about the Ada, Ohio area.

The Icon has new formats for displaying video and audio clips within the news page, allowing us to highlight them more effectively.

For more information, call me at 567-400-4266. When calling after business hours, please leave a message. Or email [email protected].

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Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel at Ada Exempted Village Schools for the Ohio Fitness Challenge, November 2025

FROM WWW.BLUFFTONICON.COM

By Scott Little
Bluffton Ohio Historical Society Secretary

The Bluffton Ohio Historical Society (BOHS) held it’s very first–and very informal–meeting on December 7, 2022. Now approaching the society’s third anniversary, there have been many accomplishments. A name was selected, bylaws were drafted, edited and accepted.  Officers have been elected and the society has received nonprofit status.  

In August of 2024, the second Bluffton History Day was held and a scene was recreated from 1898, when firefighters tested Bluffton’s first water system.

PHOTOS by Mark Andreasen / CLICK to enlarge and view at your own pace / VIDEO on page 2

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Not everyone is ready, willing and able to handle an auditorium full of excited 4th-8th graders. Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel was not only ready, when he appeared at the Ada Schools on Thursday, November 13 to promote the Governor's Healthy Ohio Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, he was determined to turn up the volume.

FROM FACEBOOK__Win a FREE book from the Friends of the Ada Public Library! From now until December 12, every day you check out a book you can enter a ticket for the book drawing. Winners will be drawn on Saturday, December 13.

There's a book for each age group, so choose which title you'd like to win!

• "Ahoy!" by Sophie Blackall (ages 4–7)
• "Pocket Bear" by Katherine Applegate (ages 8–10)
• "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell (ages 11–13)
• "Heir" by Sabaa Tahir (ages 14–18)
• "The Compound" by Aisling Rawle (adult) 

FROM FACEBOOK__This Third Thursday, November 20, Beatitudes will be serving hot chicken sandwiches, chips, and cookies from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A perfect way to warm up while you enjoy an evening on Main Street. The shop will be open until 8:00 p.m.

 

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