GASSER
    John R. Gasser, 57, of Van Wert, died at 12:20 p.m. Friday, February 29, 2008, at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima.
    He was born January 24, 1951, in Lima, the son of the late Jerome and Agnes M. (Minnig) Gasser.
    Survivors include two sisters, Peggy Pancake and Patti (Gary) Mosure, both of Van Wert; a niece; and four nephews.
    A brother, Jerome Gasser Jr., and a sister, in infancy, also preceded him in death.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Will Haggis officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
    Visitation is from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
    Memorials: Donor’s choice.
    Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at agfhc@embarqmail.com.

BAKSA
    John Baksa, 85, of Paulding, died Friday, February 29, 2008, at Dallas Lamb Foundation Home in Payne.
    He was born November 1, 1922, in Henry County (near Okolona), the son of the late Steve and Maggie (Kaptain) Baksa. On February 5, 1944, he married Theresa (Feffer) Baksa, who preceded him in death on May 26, 1982.
    Survivors include a son, Gene Baksa of Toledo; one daughter, Linda (Robert) Vance of Antwerp; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
    Two brothers, Steve Baksa Jr. and one who died in infancy, also preceded him in death.
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, March 3, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Paulding, with Father G. Allan Fillman officiating. Burial will be in Hedges Cemetery.
    Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at Den Herder Funeral Home in Paulding, where a wake service will be held at 7 p.m. that evening, and an hour prior to services Monday at the church.
    Memorials: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Paulding County Animal Shelter.

BYER
    Ione Byer, 89, of rural Ohio City, died at 6:40 p.m. Friday, February 29, 2008, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
    She was born August 8, 1918, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late John and Cecil (Denny) McDorman.
    Survivors include a son, Bruce R. (Mary) Byer of Ohio City; two daughters, Phyllis (Philip) Battels of Ada and Linda Tice of Convoy; one brother, Roy McDorman of Mendon; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
    A son, Mark Allen Byer; two brothers, Dale McDorman and Earl McDorman; three sisters, Ethel Jamieson, Clarrisa May McDorman and Helen Shook; and a grandson, Ronald James Schaffner, also preceded her in death.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, March 3, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Steve Waterman officiating. Burial will be in Tomlinson Cemetery.
    Visitation is from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at the funeral home.

    Memorials: Community Health Professionals-Hospice.

BRAUN
    Jacquelyn Sue “Jackie” Braun, 57, of Van Wert, died at 6:45 p.m. Friday, February 29, 2008, in the 800 block of North Washington Street in Vann Wert from injuries received in a traffic accident.
    She was born October 19, 1950, in Celina, the daughter of Hermenia Ruth (Hoffman) High, who survives in Ohio City, and the late Richard E. “Duke” High Sr. On April 21, 1979, she married Ronald L. Braun, who survives in Van Wert.
    Other survivors include a son, Daniel L. Braun of Van Wert; four stepchildren, Tim (Lori) Braun of Ohio City, Mike (Sharon) Braun of Red Key, Ind., Deanna (Rod) Cook of Monroe, Ind., and Chad Braun of Decatur, Ind.; a brother, Rick (Marty) High of Ohio City; and eight stepgrandchildren.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 6, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert, with Father Michael Zacharias officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City.
    Visitation is from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, where an Order of Eastern Star Chapter 48 memorial service will be held at 8 that evening.
    Memorials: Altar-Rosary Society.