Besides a few intermittent showers, the sun shone brightly on the Wren Festival and Wiffleball Tournament this past weekend. By early Saturday morning, parking places were scarce as streets were lined by cars to the far reaches of the town limits.
Jeremy M. Sadzewicz, 44, of Van Wert, died Thursday evening, August 8, 2024, at Ohio Health Van Wert. He was born March 30, 1980, in Silver City, New Mexico, to John Sadzewicz and Paula (Walls) Ybarra. He married the former Kelly Bristow. Jeremy loved riding his motorcycle, fishing and playing corn hole and beer pong. Most importantly, Jeremy was a proud father. All he wanted to do is brag about his kids! He was a route driver for K & M Tire, in Delphos. Jeremy is survived by his wife, Kelly Sadzewicz of Van Wert; his children, Devon Burke of Troy, Ohio, Freddy Behm of Van Wert, Bella Behm of Van Wert, and Braxton Sadzewicz of Van Wert; 2 grandchildren; a brother, John (Shelly) Sadzewicz of Wapakoneta; sisters, Jessie Zartman of Toledo, and Carrie Yaney of Fremont, Ohio; his father and stepmother, John (Connie) Sadzewicz of Alberqueqe, New Mexico; his mother, Paula Ybarra of Van Wert; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Joe Ybarra. A memorial visitation will be from 4:30-6:30 PM on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to his children. Online condolences may be expressed at www. alspachgearhart.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, 722 S. Washington Street, Van Wert, Ohio.
William E. “Bill” Reichard, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Vancrest of Payne, Payne, OH. Bill was born on September 15, 1948, in Fort Wayne, IN to the late Loren and Dorothy (Ritter) Reichard. On December 11, 1983, he married Brenda Lee, who survives. Bill worked as an electrician for 44 years at B.F. Goodrich in Woodburn, IN before his retirement in 2014. For many years, he helped with Youth for Christ. He attended Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert. Bill loved NASCAR, football, watching movies, music, eating out, and traveling. Along with his loving wife, Brenda, Bill is survived by his brother, Dennis Reichard, Warren, IN; sister, Alice Reichard, Muncie, IN; two nephews, Aron and Khalid Reichard. The funeral service will be held at noon on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Den Herder Funeral Home. Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family at St. Paul Cemetery, Paulding Township. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to the American Heart Association, Prostate Cancer Foundation, or Gideon’s International. Online condolences may be shared atwww. denherderfh.com.
Ronald D. Cook, 89, of Van Wert, died at 10:25 am on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Vancrest of Van Wert. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, with Pastor Missy Mullenhour, officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services Thursday, at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alspach- Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory
George Swygart, age 92, of Mendon, passedaway on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Briarwood Village in Coldwater. Calling Hours will be held on Friday, August 16, at W.H. Dick & Sons- Hellwarth Funeral Home in Mendon, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,followed by the Funeral Service. Burial will follow at Tomlinson Cemetery, near Mendon, with gravesideMilitary Rites to be conducted by Celina American Legion Post #210and VFW Post #5713.
Elizabeth A. “Beth” Smith, age 30, passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at OSU Medical Center, Columbus, OH. Beth was born on November 22, 1993, in Paulding, OH to Paul Smith and Jennifer Luce. She was a waitress at various restaurants. Beth attended Grace Bible Church in Van Wert. She loved music and writing poetry. Beth is survived by her father, Paul (Patty Camposano) Smith, Paulding, OH; mother, Jennifer Luce, Paulding, OH; significant other, Jordan Ricker, Van Wert, OH; children: Xavier Brown, Keanu Ricker, and Zeplynn Ricker, all of Van Wert, OH; sisters: Kim (Tripp) Donegan, Van Wert, OH; Jocelyn Camposano, Toledo, OH; Kirslynn Camposano, Paulding, OH; paternal grandmother, Gwen Wheeler, Latty, OH; maternal grandparents, Lenny (Kathy) Luce, Berne, IN.
The issue of concussions in high school sports has garnered increasing attention as awareness grows about the long-term effects of head injuries. With contact sports such as football, soccer and wrestling being popular among high school athletes, the need for effective concussion management protocols and preventative measures has never been more critical.
Feel Good Fridays 2024 ended with a bang as Kaitlyn Schmit & Friends played to a very receptive crowd in a packed Fountain Park Friday night. The crowd was the largest since June 7 when Whoa, Man! opened the series, and parking lots were full to capacity for blocks around.
VAN WERT—It was supposed to be the kickoff to summer in Van Wert but Main Street Van Wert’s annual Block Party had to be moved to August 9 due to the extreme heat on June 21. The concert, featuring Get Poison’d had to be moved to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One State Wildlife Officers Josh Elster, assigned to Pickaway County, and Brady Stevens, assigned at-large in central Ohio, responded to a complaint from the Deer Creek Lake spillway of unlawful fishing methods. The officers observed a group snagging various sport fish. The group was contacted with the assistance of State Wildlife Officer John Coffman, assigned to Fayette County. The officers discovered that some members of the group did not have a valid fishing license. Summonses were issued for fishing without a license, and the subjects were fined $130 each. Five saugeye and three white bass were seized as evidence.