August 2024

Joe Dean Hertel, 90, of rural Van Wert County, Ohio, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, Monday afternoon, August 19, 2024, at Hearth & Home of Van Wert. He was born on May 16, 1934, in Liberty Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Clarence D. and the late Alice V. (Feigert) Hertel. At Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert, he was reborn as a child of God in the waters of Holy Baptism. Also at Calvary Evangelical, he was united in holy matrimony to Janet Ruby Bowers on September 4, 1954, and they were blessed with almost 70 years of married life together. God also blessed them with the gift of a daughter, Kathy (Mark) Wiseman of Liberty Township. In addition to his wife and daughter, other surviving family members include a grandson, Bryce Wiseman of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a granddaughter, Amber “A.J.” Wiseman of Van Wert. Joe was a 1952 graduate of Ohio City-Liberty High School, a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a retired farmer. He was an active lifelong member of Calvary Evangelical Church and served for many years as a junior high boys’ Sunday School teacher. Joe also served for many years as the president of the Farmers Union of Van Wert County, on the Ohio Farmers Union executive board, the Farm Focus committee, and the board of the Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District. He was also a member of the Old Fashioned Farmers Association and The Oliver Gang. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Galloway. Services will held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 23, 2024, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert with Rev. Clark Williman officiating. Internment will follow at Ohio City Woodlawn Cemetery. Calling hours are 4:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to The Gideons International or Calvary Evangelical Church. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.

Gene P. Goodwin, 88, of Van Wert, Ohio, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 8:50 am at Van Wert Manor. He was born October 3, 1935, the son of the late Paul R. and Wanda A. (Wiseman) Goodwin. He married Donnalee J. (Parsons) Allen in 1972, and she survives. Other surviving family members include Lori J. (Mark Geier) Goodwin, Rick L. Allen, and Nancy J. (Kurt) Muntzinger; 10 grandchildren, Jason, Jenny, David, Christopher, Amber, Andrew, Chad, Kyle, Cioran and Calum; 7 great-grandchildren, Adele, Eleanor, Lucy, Coe, Kiedis, Tova and Freya; brother in law, Maurice Perry; many nieces and nephews; special relative, Pam; and special friend Bill K. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara (Coviello) Goodwin; a brother, Richard F. “Dick” Goodwin; a brother-in-law, Elmer D. Adams; sisters, Marilyn Joan “Joann” Adams and E. Louise Perry; sons, Glen P. Goodwin and Randy L. Allen; and mother-in-law, Susie Courtney. Gene was a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church, Van Wert, and a lifetime member of the American Legion. Services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, with Pastor William Haggis II, officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert, with military graveside services conducted by the Van Wert American Legion and Van Wert V.F.W. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:30 am on the day of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Van Wert County Humane Society to St. Marks Lutheran Church, or to Legacy Hospice. 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.

Thomas “Tom” Bauer, 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday morning August 24, 2024, at his residence near Convoy. Tom was a 1958 graduate of Convoy Union High School. A loyal servant of God, Tom was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Convoy, where he served in various offices. Tom served on the boards of the Van Wert National Bank and the Soil and Water Conservation District and was a member of the Van Wert County Farm Bureau. In his early years, he worked at Nationwide Insurance and Showalter Sporting Goods. Tom developed a passion for farming at a young age from his mother. He was happiest when passing down his knowledge and skills to his family. He was blessed to be able to farm with his family for many years. Very few things meant more to Tom than farming, other than his family. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Jenny Bauer. Other surviving family members include his children, Susanne (Dale) Mosier of Tipp City and Dan (Beth) Bauer of Convoy; and seven grandchildren, Brooke (Collin) Ernst, Ben (Chelsey) Mosier, Nick (Lindsey) Bauer, Emily (John) Rollins, Justin Davis, Janelle (Luke) Eschenbach, and Abby (Aaron) Vermule. His ten great-grandchildren brought him great joy in recent years. Tom joins his parents, Carl & Marjorie (Cully) Bauer, and brother John Bauer in the bliss of heaven. Please join the family for a celebration of life at Redeemer Lutheran Church south of Convoy on Friday, September 13, 2024, from 3 - 5. Come share your fond memories of Tom over some of Tom’s favorite things: conversation, coffee, and cookies. Preferred memorials are to the Redeemer Radio Broadcast or the Haven of Hope in Van Wert.