Obituaries

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 Terry Eugene Essex, 69, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, after a valiant fight with lung disease.

He was born on Jan. 31, 1952, in Lima, Ohio, to the late Zelma (Myers) Schaub and Harold Essex. 

Terry is survived by his wife Doris of Ada; his daughter, Wanda (Robbie) Meyers of Wapakoneta; his son, Kyle (Taylor) Essex of Wapakoneta; his step daughter, Kristina (Anthony) Aldora of St. Marys; and his step son, Jonathon (Anna) Schindler of Lima. 

Life-long Ada resident

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 James P. “Jim” Towey, 75, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2021, at 5:20 p.m. at his residence. 

He was born on May 22, 1945, in Ada, Ohio, to the late Leonard “Pat” and Evelyn (Wilcox) Towey. On August 12, 1972, Jim married Jan M. Beining and she survives in Ada.

Jim retired after 30 years from Allen East High School where he was a science teacher. He also worked as a farmer, and served as the tennis coach for St. Marys High School, where they were four time Western Buckeye League champions. Jim also coached 9th grade basketball at St. Marys and Allen East.  He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church of Ada. 

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Roger L. Bixel, 86, died at 5:55 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Heritage Healthcare in Minster. He was born March 3, 1935, in Bluffton, Ohio, to the late Harold and Wava (Amstutz) Bixel. On July 26, 1959, he married Shirley M. Glaze, who survives in Lima.

Roger graduated from LaFayette Jackson High School in 1953, where he was active in athletics and music. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Bluffton College in 1958. He earned his Master of Education degree in 1970 from Bowling Green State University.

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David D. Prater, 59, passed away on Monday, March 29, 2021, at 7:48 p.m. at his residence in Harrod, Ohio.

He was born on Dec. 16, 1961, to the late Wayne and Leatrice (Williams) Prater.

Surviving are two brothers: Dennis Prater of Lima and Fred (Myndy) Prater of Texas; and a sister: Zora (Dave, dec.) Keasler of Harrod.  He was a big brother and mentor to Chad Williams and Ben Hardesty.

David was contracted by Allied as a security guard. He worked at the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center as an officer and supervisor for 19 years. David loved mentoring kids. He was a 1980 Lima Senior High School graduate. David liked gardening and loved all pets.

Private family services will be held at a later date

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Becky S. Lease, 73, passed away on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 6:46 p.m. at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 29, 1947, in Marion County, Ohio, to the late Donald and Leona (Downs) Clapsaddle. On Sept. 29, 1966, Becky married Thomas G. Lease and he survives in Ada.

Becky is also survived by her two sons: Eric (Devin) Lease of Marysville and Kyle (Sarah) Lease of Hilliard; and a sister, Anita (Earl) Woodruff of Pataskala.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Gary Clapsaddle.

 Becky retired from Ohio Northern University, Ada where she was an Administrative Assistant in the Sports Center.

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 Marilyn Harpster, 84, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 3:50 p.m. at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was born on June 22, 1936, in Elida, Ohio, to the late Abram and Corrine Brenneman.  Marilyn was married to Norman Harpster for over 55 years and he survives in Roundhead. 

Also surviving are her daughters: Kathleen Montanez of Clark, N.J., Jane (Scott Hummel) Davis of Westerville and Peggy Harpster of Roundhead; three grandchildren: Ed Jennings, Angela Valante and Maria Johnson; a sister, Doris Shaffer of Kenton; and several nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Juan Montanez.

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