Obituaries

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Shirley S. Blosser, age 83, of Lima, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.

She was born on April 17, 1943, in McGuffey, Ohio, to the late Ralph and Gladys (Gullett) Barnett. On January 25, 1985, Shirley married Joseph “Joe” Blosser, and he preceded her in death on September 23, 2014.

Shirley is survived by her two children: Tim (Jolene) Joseph of Mason and Kim Albright of Kenton; stepson, Mike (Jackie) Blosser; eleven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren; and sister, Pat Wetmore.

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Norma Mathews Wilhelm, formerly of Ada, died on July 14, 2026, in Dublin, Ohio. She was born on May 15, 1931, in Springfield, Illinois, to Esther Fenton Mathews and Harry Herschel Mathews. She grew up in Greenview, Illinois with her sister, Pearl, and brother, John. They all were beloved by her and preceded her in death. In 1951, she married Dale Leroy Wilhelm, and they loved and supported each other for 65 years. 

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Elizabeth “Liz” Topping, age 72, of Bellefontaine, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2026 at Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine.

Liz was born on December 20, 1953 in Kenton, Ohio to Tommy and Osie (Bailey) Reffitt.

On March 14, 1998 Liz married Paul R. Topping and he survives in Bellefontaine. Also surviving is her son, Christopher (Rita) Hale of Alger; grandson, Sean (Brooke) Hale; great grandson, Jackson; two brothers: Benny Ray and Tommy (Jo) Reffitt; and sister, Minnie Moore.

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Vivian J. Welch, age 87, of Ada, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Lima Memorial Health System.

She was born on August 10, 1938 in Paintsville, Kentucky to Albert and Flossie (Music) Harmon who preceded her in death.

Vivian retired in 2003 after working for 32 years at Ohio Northern University, Ada, where she worked in the custodial maintenance department. She was a member of the Ada Church of Christ Disciples. She was a graduate of Ada High School Class of 1956. She was a member of the Ada Senior Citizens and the Kings and Queens Senior Singles Club of Lima.

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Sharon E. Fess, age 82 passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay, surrounded by her family.

She was born on March 21, 1944 in Lima, Ohio to the late Robert “Bob” and Frieda (Roush) Hire.

She is survived by a daughter: Cherie (Raymond) Castle of Ada; two grandchildren, Rielyn (Griffin) Cole and Jaden Castle; two brothers: Rick (Ellen) Hire and Bill (Brenda) Hire; a sister: Mary Lou DeLong; and two sisters-in-law: Sara Hire and Kathy Hire.

She was preceded in death by two brothers: Jim Hire and Bobby Hire; a brother-in-law: Bob DeLong.

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Pastor Gerald “Jerry” Myers, age 78, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Cypress Pointe Health Campus, Englewood, surrounded by his family.

He was born on January 3, 1948, in Lima, Ohio, to the late Harold and Evelyn (Gist) Myers. On December 23, 1967, Jerry married Joyce Shadley and she survives in Harrod.

Jerry was a member of the Grace Gospel Fellowship and pastored in Ohio, Illinois, California, and Michigan. He lived first for God. He was very devoted to his wife and loved his family.

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