Obituaries

Carol E. Leathers, 88, of Van Wert, peacefully passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024. She was born on February 21, 1936, in Van Wert, to the late Poe and Grace (Smith) Doner. On October 9, 1965, Carol married the love of her life, John Leathers, who passed away on May 31, 1989 A proud graduate of Van Wert High School, Carol was a dedicated bookkeeper for Thomas Edison Center. Prior to her time at Thomas Edison, she had worked in the payroll department at Borden Dairy. Carol was also a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Van Wert. Devoted to her family, Carol is survived by her loving children: Craig Leathers of Redlands CA; Marcy Leathers of Van Wert;, and Stacy Leathers of Memphis, TN. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to have known her throughout her life. In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her sisters and their spouses, Betty (Richard) Learned and Marilyn (Omar) Steward. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to CHP Home Care & Hospice. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, August 19, 2024 at Woodland Cemetery with Pastor Christian Taylor presiding. Arrangements entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory. To share in Carol’s online memorial, please

Archie B. Shrum, 88, of Van Wert, passed away early Tuesday morning, August 13, 2024, at his residence, surrounded by his family. He was born March 30, 1936, in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, the son of Orville and Bessie (Beason) Shrum. On August 18, 1956, he married the former Jacquelyn S. Geisman. She preceded him in death on August 30, 2021. Archie retired from the Lima Tank Plant after many years of service. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Van Wert, and was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1320, in Van Wert. Archie is a veteran of the Army National Guard. Archie is survived by his children, David E. (Michelle) Shrum of Delaware, Ohio, Susan L. (Randy) Heppeard of Van Wert and Marilyn A. (James) Tomlinson of Van Wert; 10 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and 4 sisters, Mary Emma, Martha Bell, Anna and Georgia. In addition to his wife, Jacquelyn S. Shrum, Archie was preceded in death by his parents; 5 brothers, John, Chester, Orville, Harold and Floyd; and 4 sisters, Violet, Grace, Bertha and Wavie. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, with Rev. Thomas Chamberlain, officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Visitation will be 9:00-11:00AM on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Emmanuel Lutheran Church or Community Health Professionals Home Care and Hospice. Online condolences may be expressed at www. alspachgearhart.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, 722 S. Washington St, Van Wert, Ohio.

Thomas E. Losh, 75, of rural Ohio City passed away Friday afternoon, August 2, 2024, at Van Wert Health, following a brief illness. He was born on May 24, 1949, in Lima, Ohio the son of the late Carl L. and Wilda M. (Jervis) Losh. He married the former Twyla J. Augsburger in 1988 and she survives. Other survuving family members include his five sons, Kevin D. (Sheryl) Christlieb of Gomer, Keith D. (Elizabeth) Christlieb of Lenoir, North Carolina, Christopher D. (Holly Eastburn) Losh of Ohio City, Thomas R. (Stephanie) Losh of Van Wert, and Bryan J. (Laura) Losh of Frankenmuth, Michigan; fourteen grandchildren, Jessica Marling, Kelsey (Alan) George, Kenzie (Nathan Fairburn) Christlieb, Amanda (Brian) Arnett, Elise (Brandon) Palmer, Sierra Brashaw, Eliza Losh, Blake Losh, Brayden Losh, Brie Losh, Gigi DeLong, Colin Losh, Madison Losh, and Austin Losh; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Joe E. (Mona) Losh of Elida; a sister, Linda (Darrell) Clay of Ada; and a sister-in-law, Betty Augsburger of Kenton. Besides his parents, Tom was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Todd Augsburger; a daughter-in-law, Dawn Christlieb; grandchildren, Samantha Marling, JJ Marling and Mikki Starr; and one great grandchild in infancy, Greyson Starr. Tom was raised in Lima, Ohio and graduated from Lima Senior High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and spent five years on active duty, being stationed in England, Thailand, Viet Nam and other bases in Europe. He worked in avionics - the radar system on airplanes. He joined the Air National Guard in Fort Wayne, Indiana working mainly in avionics and retiring in 2001 as a Master Sergeant. He worked at Federal Mogul in Van Wert for many years as maintenance supervisor and then as plant engineer before retiring in 2009. He then, with some help from his sons, built a very large garage. He particularly liked filling it with tables for his wife to cover with items for the very busy 127 Garage Sale which he had to miss this year. Tom was