Obituaries

Feb 22, 2025

Hunter Lairson, age 23, a resident of Portland, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025 following an automobile accident.

Hunter was born October 4, 2001, in Muncie, Indiana, the son of Aaron Lairson and Jennifer (Shawver) Dalrymple.  Hunter worked at Velco in Coldwater, Ohio.  Hunter enjoyed watching Duke’s of Hazard, taking walks and spending time with family. ...

Feb 20, 2025

Debbie Wilhelm, age 60, a resident of Portland, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Debbie was born March 19, 1964, in Rensselaer, Indiana, the daughter of Richard and Earlene (Rowe) Lovely.  She earned her Master’s Degree in teaching and taught locally for several grades.   Debbie married Joseph Rushing on July...

Feb 19, 2025

Ruth Kemp “Little Grandma”, age 103, a resident of Portland, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at IU Health Jay Hospital.

Ruth was born February 16, 1922, in Darke County, Ohio, the daughter of Noah and Evelyn (Brining) Nisonger.  Ruth married William Kenneth Kemp on April 9, 1938 and he passed away on September 6, 2002....

Feb 14, 2025

Mary R. Denney, age 98, a resident of Ridgeville, passed away Friday, February 14, 2025 at The Woodlands Nursing Home in Muncie, Indiana.

Mary was born on June 22, 1926 in Redkey, Indiana the daughter of Ervin and Grace (Berry) Cummings. Mary worked for Jay County Hospital in Portland, and Karr Canning Company in Redkey. She was...

Feb 13, 2025

Gregory “Porky” Bergman, age 71, a resident of Portland, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025 at his home.

Porky was born December 18, 1953 in Celina, Ohio the son of Walter and Kathryn (Vonderhyde) Bergman. Porky retired as a truck driver at Cooper Farms. Throughout Porky’s life he enjoyed hauling livestock, raising and training horses, wheeling and...

Feb 12, 2025

Larry Jackson, age 86, a former resident of Portland, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Albany Health and Rehabilitation in Albany, Indiana.

Larry was born July 1, 1938 the son of Lester and Mabel Kaderly. Larry retired from Teledyne Portland Forge in Portland after 30 years of service. He was a member of the Portland Moose,...

Feb 11, 2025

Eugene “Gene” Henizer, age 60, a resident of Pennville, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at IU Health Ball Hospital in Muncie.

Gene was born January 1, 1965, in Portland, Indiana, the son of Ralph Henizer and Patty (Boyd) Newton.  He graduated from Jay County High School and worked for Coca-Cola in Portland.  He married Georgia...

Feb 6, 2025

Ruth Gillett, age 104, a resident of Portland, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at IU Health Jay Hospital in Portland.

Ruth was born April 1, 1920, in Portland, Indiana, the daughter of Albert and Birdie (Mangus) Degler.  She graduated from Portland High School and married Harold Gillett on February 16, 1940.  They were married 68...

Jan 31, 2025

David Miller, age 82, a resident of Portland, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Persimmon Ridge in Portland.

David was born on February 4, 1942, in Wilder, TN, the son of Isaac and Choyce (Norrod) Miller.  David served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Beatty.  He worked at Westinghouse...

Jan 30, 2025

Richard “Dick” Rogers, age 90, a resident of Portland, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at his home in Portland.

Dick was born August 12, 1934, in Montpelier, Indiana, the son of Paul and Minnie (Malott) Rogers.  He graduated from Governor I.P. Gray School and served in the Army National Guard and U.S. Army.  Dick worked...

Jan 22, 2025

Guy Fisher, age 58, a resident of Portland, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at his home in Portland.

Guy was born May 15, 1966, in Portland, Indiana, the son of Alvin and Phyllis (Lanning) Fisher.

Survivors include:

His siblings:  Rosanna Muth (David) – Rose Hill, Ohio

Jerry Fisher –...

Jan 20, 2025

Paul Hiser, age 80, a resident of Fort Recovery, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025 while on Hospice at St. Rita’s Hospital in Lima, Ohio

Paul was born June 8, 1944, in Portland, Indiana, the son of Delma and Mary (Schroder) Hiser.  He graduated from Madison Township School and worked for Ft. Recovery Equity for most...

Jan 16, 2025

Sylvia Coons, age 79, a resident of Redkey, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at her home.

Sylvia was born December 30, 1945, the daughter of Everett and Mary (Gruden) Hultz.  She worked as a cook at Albany Nursing Home for 27 years and was a member of the Redkey American Legion Auxiliary.  She married Charles...

Jan 15, 2025

William “Bill” Thomas, age 91, a resident of Portland, passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Bill was born August 20, 1933, in Louisville, Kentucky the son of William H. and Goldie (Napper) Thomas.  Bill was raised in Surry County, Virginia.  Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S....

Jan 10, 2025

Stacy J. Bennett, age 48, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025 at her home in Portland.

Stacy was born on November 17, 1976 in Jay County the daughter of Edward E. Mast Jr. and Debbie (Aker) White.

Stacy married Timmy Bennett on October 16, 2010 and he passed away on September 26, 2014.

Jan 9, 2025

Ronald “Ron” Berry, age 85, a resident of Portland, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Persimmon Ridge in Portland.

Ron was born October 12, 1939, in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, the son of Russell and Eskleen Berry.  He married Shirley Anne Swafford on December 4, 1960 and she passed away on January 31, 2016.

...

Jan 8, 2025

Jacob Lykins, age 52, a resident of Anderson, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at his home in Anderson.

Jacob was born June 18, 1972, the son of Jack Lykins and Patricia (Platt) Hunter.  Jacob was an award-winning athlete with Special Olympics where he participated in track and shot put.

Survivors include:

...

Jan 8, 2025

Oddrie Guntle Jr., Age 84, a resident of Portland, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at his home.

Oddrie was born July 19, 1940, the son of Oddrie Sr. and Christina (Landers) Guntle. Oddrie served in the National Guard and was a bus driver for over 27 years for the Jay School Corporation.

Oddrie...

Jan 1, 2025

Carl Gilbert, age 62, a resident of Saratoga, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.  He was a former Portland resident.

Carl was born August 29, 1962, in Grayson, Kentucky, the son of Everett and Edith (Mabry) Gilbert.  He worked at Walmart in Winchester as an assistant manager.  Carl...

Dec 28, 2024

Robert “Bob” Van Skyock, Sr., age 87, a resident of Winchester, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Water Edge Nursing Home in Muncie.  He was a former Portland resident.

Bob was born July 5, 1937, in Portland, Indiana, the son of William and Edith (Reid) Van Skyock.  He worked for Jay School Corporation for over...