DeLONG

Mildred J. DeLong, 86, of Van Wert, died at 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 15, 2010, at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born September 18, 1923, in Paulding County, the daughter of the late Lester and Mary A. (Black) Thompson. On October 4, 1942, she married Donald F. DeLong, who preceded her in death on July 6, 2000.

Mrs. DeLong worked with her husband in managing the family farm. She was a member of North Union United Methodist Church and the former Crestview North Farmers Institute and was a 1941 Peony Festival queen candidate representing the Union Wildcats.

Survivors include four children, Barbara S. (Robert) Stanley and Brenda A. DeLong, both of Van Wert, Ronald D. (Marianna) DeLong of Defiance, and Philip J. (Rhonda) DeLong of Fort Wayne, Ind.; two brothers, Byron (Kathy) Thompson of Convoy and Marlin (Shirley) Thompson of Ansonia; two sisters, Jean Feasby of Antwerp and Eunice Cook of Phoenix, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Kim (Bill) Walls of Van Wert, Mark Stanley of London (Ohio), Spencer DeLong and Alison DeLong, both of Fort Wayne, Don (Jennifer) Swander and Travis (Meghan) Swander, both of Ohio City, and Brent Swander of Dublin; two stepgrandchildren, Renata and Monika Grzeniewski of New York City; and seven great-grandchildren, Lauren, Nolan and Evan Walls and Kaedyn, Kallie and Kole Swander.

Two sisters, Virginia Dawson and Marjorie Taylor, and a brother, William Thompson (in infancy), also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 18, at North Union United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mary Ann Tomlinson officiating. Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery in Cavett.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Preferred memorials: North Union United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.

STAUP

J. Gary Staup, 78, of Delphos, died at 7:04 p.m. Monday, February 15, 2010, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Delphos.

He was born May 10, 1931, in Cleveland, the son of the late Elsworth L. and Mary Ann “Mayme” (Weisgerber) Staup. On January 10, 1953, he married Betty L. (Friemoth) Staup, who survives in Delphos.

Other survivors include two sons, Michael S. Staup of South Bend, Ind., and Timothy (Lisa) Staup of Delphos; a daughter, Valerie A. Gerdemann of Columbus; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, February 20, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos, with Father Jacob Gordon officiating. Burial will be at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, February 19, at Harter and Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake will be held at 7:30 that evening.

Preferred memorials: Donor’s choice or St. John’s Parish Foundation.

GROVE

Mary A. Grove, 90,of Van Wert, died at 3:05 a.m. Monday, February 15, 2010, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.

She was born May 21, 1919, in Decatur, Ind., the daughter of the late Ralph W. and Emma (Kelly) Bentz. On August 18, 1938, she married Arthur W. Grove, who preceded her in death on February 9, 1976.

Survivors include two sons, Richard (Loretta) Grove of Van Wert and Robert (Frances) Grove of Troy; one granddaughter; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A son, Donald Grove; one brother, Herbert Bentz; two sisters, Virginia Conrad and Delores Marshand; and a special friend Arnold Gehres, also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 19, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, February 18, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert High School Athletic Booster Club.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at agfhc@embarqmail.com.