Obituaries

  • /

Merle “Lou” Dewitt, age 63, of McGuffey, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at Hardin Memorial Hospital, Kenton. 

Lou was born on April 13, 1962, to the late Walter “Junior” and Barbara (Engle) Bushong.  In 1991, Lou married Donald Dewitt, Sr., and he survives in McGuffey. 

Also surviving are her five children: Daniel Rayl of Great Falls, MT, April Casio of Ada, Bobbie (Jonathan Krontz) Rayl of Ada, Jason (Courtney) Rayl of Ada and Donald Dewitt, II of McGuffey; ten great-grandchildren; and brother, Bill (Laura) Bushong. 

Lou was a member of the Quickstep Pentecostal Church of God, Alger. 

  • /

James M. “Jim” Long, age 88, of Ada, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026 at Vancrest of Ada.  

He was born on April 15, 1937, in LaFayette, Ohio, to the late Marvin and Margaret (Muntis) Long .  On August 23, 1959, he married Eleanor (Anspach) Long, and she preceded him in death on April 12, 2014. 

Jim is survived by his two daughters: Judy E. (Sharon Huber) Long of Dublin, and Diane L. (Dee Fuerst) Long of Westerville; two granddaughters, Mariah (Brad) Barrett and Abby (Matthew Bors-Koefoed) Fuerst; two great grandchildren: Logan and Landon; a brother, Tom (Donna) Long of Waynesfield; and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

  • /

Douglas Charles Hurley, age 74, passed peacefully in his sleep on February 22, 2026.

He was born on June 17, 1951, in Lima, Ohio, to the late Victor and Vera (Henkle) Hurley.  On January 1, 1984, Doug married Tami Truman, and she survives in Ada.  

Doug retired from Roundys after working for thirty years.  He enjoyed volunteering at Lima Memorial Hospital.  He was a collector of John Deere tractors and Case knives.  Doug enjoyed sports.  He was an avid Cleveland Browns and Upper Scioto Valley basketball fan.   

  • /

Norma J. Bailey, age 79, of McGuffey, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima. 

She was born on June 20, 1946, in Kenton, Ohio, to the late Orville “Squirrelly” and Ethel (Prater) Hicks, Sr.  On October 25, 1964 Norma married John H. Bailey and he preceded her in death on September 8, 2021. 

Norma is survived by two sons: John D. Bailey of Kenton and Jason L. (Michelle) Bailey of Belle Center; two daughters: Sherry (Donald) Taylor of McGuffey and Jeannie (James) Biederman of Mt. Victory; eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. 

  • /

Ann K. “Annie” Luellen, age 89, of Ada, passed away at her home on Friday, February 13, 2026. She was born on April 28, 1936, to the late Hubert and Lillian (Haunhorst) Lause.  She married Jerleen Moore (deceased) in April 1960, and they later divorced.  On November 19, 1983, Ann married Charles R. Luellen, and he survives in Ada. 

Ann graduated in 1955 from Alger High School. She worked at Essex Wire for seventeen years and retired from St. Rita’s Hospital in 1998.  

  • /

Ronald L. Evans, age 90, of Ada, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026 at his residence. 

He was born on March 1, 1935, in Vaughnsville, Ohio, to Donald “Fred” and Mary (Anderson) Evans, who preceded him in death. On December 23, 1955, Ronald married Patsy (Spellman) Evans, and they were married for seventy years. Patsy survives in Ada. 

Pages