Area Obituaries

Irvin G. Sommer was born on July 16, 1944, to the late Hiram W. and Ida C. (Steiner) Sommer and lived all his life in the Orrville/Kidron area.  He passed away after a period of declining health at Accord Care Community in Orrville, OH on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. He was employed by various local…

Elsie Klingler Mechanicsburg, OH – Elsie Klingler, age 87, went home to be with the Lord on March 24, 2025. Born on January 18, 1938 in Holmes County, OH to the late Roman and Annie (Yoder) Slabach. Elsie grew up in Dalton and lived there until 2007 when she moved to Mechanicsburg, Ohio to be…

Gilmer J. “Jigs” Hurst, 83, of Mount Eaton, passed away unexpectedly on March 19, 2025. He was born in Glen Daniel, West Virginia on April 23, 1941 to the late Sidney and Evelyn (Ratliff) Hurst and on June 12, 1965 he married Sharron Houghton, and she survives. He was a US Navy veteran and retired…

CANAL FULTON – Robert L. “Bob” Peters, age 70, passed away on March 18, 2025. Born on May 12, 1954 in Massillon, OH to the late Richard and Dorothy (Mattox) Peters, Bob was a resident of Canal Fulton since 1981. He retired from Republic Steel for 30 years as a millwright when it closed.  In…

Wooster – Joseph Donald Rice Jr., age 56, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Smithville Western Care Center following a period of declining health. Born on July 16, 1968, in Massillon, Ohio, Joe Don was the son of the late Joseph and Audrey (Lewis) Rice. He was a 1986 graduate of Orrville High…

Wooster — It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Jeffrey Allen King, 71, of Orrville who was called home on March 17, 2025, at Smithville Western Care Center. Born on May 21, 1953 in Orrville, Ohio to the late Charles Lee King and Betty May (Hasbrook) King. Jeff was a lifelong…

Lucinda Mae “Cindy” Sohar, 72, of Kidron Ohio, passed away peacefully at her home after an extended illness on Monday, March 17, 2025. Born on July 12, 1952 in Hagerstown, Maryland to the late Marvin and Martha (Stoltzfus) Bartel. Cindy graduated from Octorara High School in Atglen, Pennsylvania in 1970. From there she went to…

Smithville – Brett M. Demlow, age 60, of Smithville, formerly of Orrville, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at his home following a brief period of declining health. Brett was born on April 11, 1964, in Akron, Ohio, to Linda (Poholski) Demlow and the late James Demlow. He was a 1982 graduate of Orrville…

Dalton — Mabel Marie (Witmer) Horst, 89, Dalton, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, March 6. She was surrounded by loved ones, most importantly, her husband of 71 years.    Shortly after graduation from Dalton High School, Mabel married Vern K. Horst. She held a number of jobs during her working career including telephone operator, waitress,…