All Obituaries

Richard “Dick” Dean Ballou, age 91 of Ashland, OH., passed away peacefully Monday, December 9, 2019 in the home of his daughter.  Mr. Ballou was born on July 4, 1928 in Sullivan, OH., to Russell and Elsie (Freyman) Ballou.  He was a lifelong resident of Ashland County. Richard was a founding member of the Ashland Christian Church, which he assisted with construction.  He also attended Grace Brethren Church and was most recently a member of Calvary Baptist...

Wayne Ray Smith age 90, of Ashland passed away on Sunday December 1, 2019 at the Brethren Care Nursing Home. Born in Ashland, on October 20, 1929 the son of Glenn and Marie (Glenn) Smith. Mr. Smith was an employee of Ohio Edison and Ohio Public Power for 44 years and was retired. He was also a lifelong Farmer and Electrician. On November 24, 1950 Wayne was married to Margret Catherine (Katie) Wile who precedes him in death. Wayne is survived by two children and their spouses, Mark (Tina)...

Robert D. Hartsel Jr. age 61 of Ashland, passed away Saturday November 30, 2019 at The Arbors at Mifflin Nursing Home in Mansfield. Born in Ashland on October 27, 1958 the son of Robert D. and Carol (Peterson) Hartsel Sr. he was an Ashland resident all of his life. Robert had been an employee of National Latex Corporation. He was also previously employed at Sunset Golf / PGI, The Center Rubber Company, The Eagle Rubber Company and Kentucky Fried Chicken. He is survived by his mother, Carol...

Ruth Magdalene Sulcer, 99, of Ashland, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at Brethren Care Village.  She was born June 12, 1920 to Preston and Gail Manbeck Sulcer, who preceded her in death.  Ruth attended the Thomas School on King Road.  She liked to tell that she walked two miles each way to attend school.  Ruth graduated from Ashland High School in 1939.  Ruth worked most of her life as a caregiver, first for her parents and later she cared for various...

James L. Watson age 63, of Mansfield, passed away Monday, November 25, 2019 at the Select Specialty Hospital in Columbus.  He was born May 24, 1956 in Graceville, Indiana the son of the late William Norman and Edie Elizabeth Watson.  James had been employed with Dale Roy Services in Ashland, Progress Industry in Mansfield and most recently New Hope Industries also in Mansfield.  James enjoyed reading, shopping and music. Survivors include his sister, Sandra Diane Swan of...

James “Jimbo” H. Drushel age 79, of Put- In- Bay, formerly of Ashland, passed away early Sunday, November 24, 2019.  He was born January 29, 1940 in Ashland, the son of the late Harold and Eileen (Witmer) Drushel.  He had been a resident of Put- In- Bay for over 30 years.  James had been employed as a Dock Master since 1995 and retired in 2017.  His job was the world to him and enjoyed spending time with his many friends.  In his earlier years James was a...

Donald H. Herr age 92, of Ashland, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at his residence.  He was born June 29, 1927 in Red Haw, Ohio, the son of Clayton and Ellen (Schreck) Herr.  Mr. Herr had been a lifelong resident of Ashland.  He had been employed as a mechanic and Welder, with Mansfield Tire & Rubber, and later retired from ODOT in 1997.  He was a member of the 1st United Methodist Church, West Salem Masonic Lodge # 398, Al Koran of Cleveland, Mansfield...

Sarah R. Young age 79 formerly of Ashland, passed away on Wednesday November 20, 2019 at The Inn at Summit Trail in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Born on November 6, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of Garland and Sue Simmons, she was an Ashland Resident most of her life where she was a homemaker. On September 12, 1959, Sarah was married to Robert Young who precedes her in death. Surviving are one son and daughter in law, Chris (Sue) Young of Westerville and one daughter Susanne Jordan of...

Dewey Peters Jr. age 83, of Perrysville, died Sunday, November 10, 2019 at Kingston of Ashland following an extended illness.  He was born on March 22, 1936 in Leavittsburg, Ohio the son of Dewy and Bessie (Robinson) Peters.  Dewey was married to Ruby Nehra in 1957 and she preceded him in death in February 2006.  He retired from the National Weather Service after 34 years in 1991, spending the last 17 years at Mansfield Lahm airport as a weather forecaster.  After high...

James (Jim) Heister passed away on 27 October surrounded by his immediate family due to complications from Guillain-Barré syndrome.  Born on 7 February, 1938 in Ashland Ohio, he graduated from Hayesville High School in 1956 and shortly thereafter married his high-school sweetheart, Patricia Ann Latimer. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 62 years and their three sons Stephen (wife Edie Schmidt), Scott, and Stan. After graduation from high school Jim served in the U.S. Army...