Obituaries

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Rhonda Lee Ryane (Smith), age 73, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, died peacefully surrounded by her family on October 22, 2025, at Lima Memorial Hospital. Rhonda was born on December 29, 1951, in Lima, OH, to Charles and Marilyn Klingler Smith.

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LaVerne Clayton Hughes, age 92, of Kenton, died on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Kenton Nursing and Rehab under hospice care.

He was born on August 4, 1933, to the late Herbert and Vivian (Wineman) Hughes. On May 22, 1958, LaVerne married Charlotte Smith, who survives in Kenton.

LaVerne was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Lucille (Pratt) Hughes, his sister Shirley (Hughes) Hudson, his son Kevin C. Hughes, and his brother-in-law Cecil A. DeLong.

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Janet L. Stoodt, age 83, of Columbus, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at The Grove at Oakleaf Village, Columbus. 

She was born on October 24, 194,1 in Lima, Ohio to the late Lloyd L. and Cora Ruth (Kidd) Stoodt. Also preceding Janet in death are three brothers: Richard Stoodt, David Stoodt, and Dennis Stoodt; and a sister, Carol “Sue” Perkins.

Janet is survived by her brother, Galen Stoodt of Lima; three nephews: David Ray (Kim) Perkins, Dale (Ann) Perkins and Darrell Perkins; and a niece, Alicia (Paul) Schultz.

Janet retired from Walmart after working for 20 years. She was a member of the Liberty Chapel United Methodist Church of LaFayette.

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Joseph E. “Joey” Pope Sr., age 63, of Ada, passed away at his home on Friday, October 17, 2025, surrounded by his family. 

He was born on April 12, 1962, in Bluffton, Ohio, to Joseph Pope and Marcene (Zimmerman) Pope.  On August 23, 1980, Joey married Linda Downing and she survives in Ada. 

Also surviving are his four children: Joseph “Joe” (Heather) Pope, Jr., Justin (Nicole) Pope, Jordan (Beatrice) Pope and Jarita (Adam) Badertscher all of Ada; nineteen grandchildren; two brothers: John Pope and Bradley Pope; a sister, Tammy (Bill) Downing; several step brothers and sisters; and several nieces and nephews.

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Pauline L. “Peg” Snyder, age 88, of Harrod, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025, at her son’s home in Lima, with her family by her side. 

She was born on January 4, 1937, in Lima, Ohio, to the late Wesley B. and Ida M. (Sweeney) Smith. On February 5, 1956, Peg married Donald E. Snyder and he preceded her in death on March 9, 2008. 

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Margaret Call Erbe, age 83, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 13, 2025. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio July 1, 1942, to the late Merner and Lois (ne Bennett) Call. Maggie displayed incredible talent and energy, which includes her time as a concert pianist in a professional orchestra as a child. Her passion for music, science, and spirituality, led to a life filled to the brim. She received a BA in Music History, an Associate's in Chemistry, and a Master of Divinity, across 3 different decades while birthing and raising her 10 children.

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