Area Obituaries

Daniel Frederick Ritzman, 73, of Creston, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster after a lengthy battle with cancer. Dan was born in Wadsworth on July 16, 1951 to Victor “Fred” and Doris (Buckingham) Ritzman and was a graduate of Wadsworth High School.  He attended Owens Community College in…

Linda Francis Finley, 80, of Massillon, passed away on March 3, 2025 at Aultman Compassionate Care Center. A lifelong resident of Massillon, Linda was born on October 3, 1944 to the late Robert (Ruth) and Effie Mae “Birdie” Bulman. In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her sisters Virginia “Jenny” (James)…

Massillon — Debra Anne Rice-Winters, age 52, of Massillon, formerly of Orrville, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Aultman Hospital in Canton, following a brief illness. Born on August 26, 1972, in Massillon, Debra was the cherished daughter of the late Joseph and Audrey (Lewis) Rice. She graduated from Orrville High School in…

  Ann I. Welby, age 67, of Orrville, formerly of Santa Barbara, CA, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at her home, of ovarian cancer. Ann was born on March 14, 1957, in Santa Barbara, California, to the late Robert and Audrey (Schwinefus) Welby and graduated from Santa Barbara High School with the class…

Orrville–Phyllis Gay Coburn, age 82, of Orrville, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Amherst Meadows Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Massillon, following a period of declining health. Born on September 18, 1942, in Missouri Branch, West Virginia, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Thomas and Fannie (Music) Crum. She graduated from Fort…

Orrville — James O. Oswald of Orrville passed away on February 24, 2025 following a brief illness. He was born June 1, 1944 in Berlin to the late John and Ida Lenhart Oswald. He was a forty-year member of the Wooster Grace Brethren Church. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Ruth Ann Mast Oswald,…

Smithville – Dovey Georgia “Jo” Bateman, age 90, of Smithville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at LifeCare Hospice in Wooster, following a period of declining health. Born on February 21, 1934, in Tariff, West Virginia, Jo was the beloved daughter of the late Kenna and Gertie (Conley) Boggs. On July 3, 1954,…

Wooster—Ross “Marvin” Thaxton Jr., age 80, of Wooster, died Friday, February 7, 2025, at Wooster Community Hospital, surrounded by family and loved ones. Ross was born on May 27, 1944, in Middleport, Ohio, to the late Ross and Alma (Knight) Thaxton. His father owned several coal mines, and his mother was an LPN nurse. The…

Twila Marie (Conrad) Lehman, age 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 16, 2025, with her family at her side at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, Wooster, OH. Twila was born at home near Smithville, OH on October 9, 1934, to Orie and Goldie (Byler) Conrad. Twila had a gracious, loving, and kind spirit as she sought…

Dalton – Catherine M. Miller-Kiner, a cherished mother, grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away on February 12, 2025, at the age of 91. Born on October 1, 1933, in Holmes County to the late John P. and Alma (Wolgamot) Carillon, Catherine’s life was a testament to love, kindness, and dedication. Catherine spent her golden years…