FENSLER

Fayma L. Fensler, 91, of Van Wert, died at 5:45 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at The Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born October 28, 1918, in Adams County, Ind., the daughter of the late John F. Barkley and Ada (Gibson) Anderson. On October 28, 1939, she married Lester Feasby Fensler, who preceded her in death on March 29, 1992.

Mrs. Fensler was a stay-at-home mom who worked side by side with her husband on the family farm northwest of Convoy. She was given a wonderful gift of voice and sang with the late Eloise Ralston in many area churches. She was a member of Countryside Chapel United Methodist Church near Convoy, where she served in many capacities. She also volunteered at Van Wert County Hospital for many years. She was a 1936 graduate of Monroeville High School.

Survivors include a son, Jerry Franklin (Lynn) Fensler of Defiance; one daughter, Sharon J. (Roger Dunlap) Lautzenheiser of Van Wert; four grandchildren, Carl (Jean) Etzler of Ohio City, Shelly (Roger) Miller of Convoy, Marc (Julie) Fensler of Lapel, Ind., and Amy (Jack) Johnson of Bryan; nine great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

A brother, Floyd Barkley, also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 1, at Countryside Chapel United Methodist Church near convoy, with the Rev. Wayne Kargas officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Preferred memorials: Countryside Chapel United Methodist Church or Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, c/o Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891.

DAWSON

Carrie M. Dawson, 93, of Convoy, died at 1:50 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.

She was born May 11, 1916, in Bryan, the daughter of the late John and Elva A. (Ream) Stittsworth. She married Donald I. Dawson, who preceded her in death in 1970.

Survivors include four children, Wayne (Linda) Dawson of Convoy and Donald “Donnie” Dawson, Herb (Jackie) Dawson, and Bob (Janet) Dawson, all of Van Wert; a son-in-law, Dan Gerardot of Monroeville, Ind.; 16 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A daughter, Alice Gerardot; four brothers, Chester, John, Freeman and Larry Stittsworth, and four sisters, Elsie Solda, Mae Mecca and two sisters in infancy, also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 2, at Gearhart, Mack & Jurczyk Funeral Home in Convoy, with the Rev. Greg Leigh officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at the funeral home in Convoy.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert County Council on Aging.

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

HEPPEARD

Roger William Heppeard, 69, of Rockford, died at 11:15 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at Lima Memorial Hospital.

He was born June 20, 1940, in Liberty Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late William “Sam” Foster and Georgia Bonita (Huffman) Heppeard.

Survivors include a sister, Carolyn Heppeard of Rockford, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A brother, Bill Heppeard; and two sisters, Veda Heppeard and Vivian Ponstler, also preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Mark Rutledge officiating.

The family will receive friends an hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: To the family for a memorial bench to be placed at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

JOHN

Phillip L. John, 67, of Middle Point, died at 4:05 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at his residence.

He was born October 9, 1942, in Lima, the son of the late Charles and Florence (Davis) John. On June 16, 1963, he married Kathleen “Kit” John, who survives in Middle Point.

Other survivors include two sons, Butch (Paula) John of Lima and David (Audre) John of Willshire; three daughters, Candi (Rick) Busch and Shelly John, both of Van Wert, and Chris (Greg) Clark of Defiance; a foster daughter, Halyie Adkins; 14 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Two brothers, Kenneth John and a brother who died in infancy, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 1, at Harter and Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, with the Rev. David Howell and Rev. Bill Haggins officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Delphos.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, where a Masonic service will be held at 8 that evening, and an hour prior to services on Thursday, all at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: St. Jude Foundation, Community Health Professionals-Hospice in Van Wert or the family.