Obituaries

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FROM ONU.EDU__Dr. Kendall (Ken) Baker, Hon. D. ’11, served with distinction as Ohio Northern University’s 10th president from 1999 until 2011. He was named president emeritus upon his retirement. He passed away in Colorado on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at age 83.

Life of scholarship
Dr. Baker came from a military family and wanted to follow suit, but vision trouble derailed his plans. He decided to pursue a life of scholarship. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Maryland in 1963, followed by a master’s and doctoral degrees from Georgetown University in 1966 and 1969, respectively.

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Karen G. Wright, age 74, of Harrod, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025 at her home. 

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Ellis Puckett, age 76, of Alger, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Joint Township Hospital, St. Marys.  

He was born on December 15, 1948, in Lima, Ohio, to the late Kelly and Gladys (Hall) Puckett, Sr.   On June 29, 1968, Ellis married Ora (Smith) Puckett, and she preceded him in death on May 5, 2022. 

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Sharon K. Lease, age 77, of Lima, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima. 

She was born on July 21, 1948, in Kenton, Ohio, to Waldo and Annis (Conley) Oglesbee. On July 1, 1966, Sharon married Arthur Lease, and he survives in Lima. 

Also surviving are her two sons: Darren (Sunny) Lease of North Lewisburg and Jeff (Lynn) Lease of Venice, FL; five grandchildren: Dalton, Batai, Savannah, Hershel and Larry; a sister-in-law, Dana Oglesbee; brother-in-law, Dana (Rhonda) Lease; and nephews: Kyle Oglesbee and Barry James Lease. 

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Charles VanDyne, age 95, of Ada, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at his residence.  

He was born on September 19, 1930, in Marion Township, Hardin County, Ohio, to Okey and Ethel (Preston) VanDyne, who preceded him in death.  

Charles was a 1948 graduate of Ada High School. In 1952, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Northern University and his Juris Doctor of Law degree in 1954, also from Ohio Northern University.  Charles served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 during the Korean Conflict.

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Marilyn I. Schick, age 92, of LaFayette, died on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Vancrest of Ada.   

She was born on September 3, 1933, in Allen County, Ohio, to the late Robert and Diamond (Shrider) Klingler.  

Marilyn is survived by her three children: Randy (Jo) Schick of Lima, Renee Winegardner of Arcanum and Michelle (Brian) Jackson of Lima; sixteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Kenneth (Janet) Klingler of Ada. 

She was preceded in death by her two sons: Leslie Schick and Brian Schick; a brother, Leonard Klingler; and a sister, Carolyn Rex. 

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