Obituaries

  • /

Aaron R. Heffner, age 83, of Lima, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton, surrounded by his family. 

He was born on August 15, 1941 in Glendale, California to the late Harold and Gertrude (Stager) Heffner.  On May 4, 1968 Aaron married Connie Smith and she survives in Lima. 

Also surviving are his two children: Amy Heffner and Jeremy (Angie) Heffner all of Lima; four grandchildren: Taylor (Riley) Karhoff, Olivia Heffner, Devyn Hopkins and Caleb Hopkins; and a sister, Marian Sprague. 

He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Heffner; and sister, Gloria Heffner. 

  • /

April A. Franklin, age 68, of Ada, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Lima Memorial Health System, surrounded by her family. 

She was born on April 10, 1956 in Lima, Ohio to the J. Larry and J. Carol (Graham) Klingler. 

April is survived by her daughter, Jodi (Larry) Bontempo; three grandchildren; and four siblings: James (Carla) Klingler of Lima, Todd (Melissa) Klingler of Ada, Joyce (Michael) Fledderjohann of Lima and Erin (Jason) Lehman of Ada. 

April was retired from Grossmont Hospital in San Diego, California where she worked as a nurse. She was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church of Ada. 

  • /

Felicia Jo Smelser, age 79, of Ada, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Vancrest of Ada. 

She was born on March 23, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Chester and Angeline (March) Stashwick.  

Felicia is survived by her two daughters: Theresa (Mark) Bendele of Ottawa and Mary (Marty) Borer of Holcomb, WI; son, David (Allison) Bond of Lansing, MI; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren; a brother, Paul (Sandy) Stashwick of Hilton Head, SC; two sisters: Christie Welch of Tuscon, AZ and Mary Frank of LaFayette; a sister-in-law, Jacqueline Stashwick of Illinois; and a brother-in-law, Loren Cramer of Lima. 

  • /

Penny S. Rowe, age 69, of Kenton, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima. 

She was born on October 2, 1955 in Kenton, Ohio to Frank and Waneta Rose (Mayer) Caudill, Sr.   

Penny is survived by her two sons: Chad (Somer) Hall of Harrod and Todd (Kat) Hall of Bellefontaine; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and five siblings: Greg (Jackie) Caudill of Waynesfield, Frank Caudill, Jr., Keith Caudill of Belle Center, Michael (Jill) Caudill of Brooksville, FL, and Julie Caudill Tumeo of North Lewisburg

  • /

Fredrick “Fred” W. Evans, 80, a long-time resident of Ada, went home to the Lord on February 2, 2025 at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. He was born in April of 1944 in Pittsburgh, PA to Edwin Evans of North Lawrence, OH and Elizabeth (Myers) Evans of Ada.  

Fred was a proud graduate of the 1962 class of Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, OH.  He was a certificate holder from the Oberlin School of Commerce and he was known for his exacting accounting capabilities in his early business employment.

  • /

Donald Duane Berry, age 68, of McGuffey, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at his home.

He was born on March 31, 1956 in Marion, Indiana to John and Arlene (Ancil) Berry, Sr. His father, John survives in Gas City, Indiana and his mother, Arlene preceded him in death. On July 10, 2000 Donald married Lisa Mosley and she survives in McGuffey.  

Also surviving are his three children: Jason Berry, Shawn (Jordan) Garrett and Megan (Doug) Slusher; twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and a brother, John (Jane) Berry, Jr. 

Donald was preceded in death by his son, Justin Roberts.

Pages