FORWALTER
    Dorothy J. Forwalter, 84, of Van Wert, died at 3 a.m. Sunday, April 20, 2008, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
    She was born January 15, 1924, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Maurice and Elizabeth A. (Fulgham) Forwalter.
    Miss Forwalter began her career as a dental hygienist in 1947 with her father, Dr. Maurice Forwalter, DDS. Later she worked in the office of Dr. R.H. Saunier, DDS, and then for Dr. E.E. Black, DDS, from where she retired in 1972. She was a 1942 graduate of Van Wert High School, a 1947 graduate of The Ohio State University with a certificate of dental hygiene. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Gamma dental hygiene sorority. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert and its Women’s Association, and a former member and officer of the Van Wert Woman’s Club and TWIG II.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Dr. Edward W. Jillson officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
    Visitation will be from noon until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert.
    Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.

DUERK
    Raymond Herman Duerk, 87, of Coldwater, Mich., died Sunday, April 20, 2008, at Community Health Center of Branch in Coldwater.
    He was born May 17, 1920, in Defiance, the son of the late Herman and Clara (Ludwig) Duerk. On November 20, 1940, he married Helen (Schliesser) Duerk, who survives in Coldwater.
    Mr. Duerk worked for Tenzer Lumber, Stock Construction, Skelly Oil, Wolfrum Builders and then was self-employed in construction. He was a carpenter for 60 years. Ray was a devoted 55-year member of Clear Lake Lutheran Church in Fremont, Ind., where he served on many committees and was president of the congregation for two terms. He also served on the church’s Summer Association board of directors and co-chaired the remodeling of the church he so loved in the 1970s. He will always be remembered for his “Valentine’s Candy” and the beautiful flowers he grew at the lake. Ray’s bass voice and love of barbershop music will sing on. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School and Defiance High School. He served as a sergeant with the 13^th Air Corps Engineers in the South Pacific during World War II and was awarded several ribbons and two battle stars. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3360 and American Legion Post 117, both in Defiance. He was a member of UCT, the Michigan Sheriffs Association, U.S. Sheriffs Association, and Fraternal Order of Police since 1948. Health problems and a car accident in Florida slowed him down.
    In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Mary Lou (Tom) Towers of Crossville, Tenn., and JoAnne Holman of Van Wert; five grandchildren, Wendy Towers, David (Kathy) Towers, Dean Towers, Carole (Trent) Motycka and Kris (Matt) Dunlap; and nine great-grandchildren, Marissa and Leanne Branam, Jon and Joe Lisa, Nick and Drew Motycka, Madeline and Joe Towers and Jackson Dunlap.
    Two sisters, Marie Wolfrum and Ruth Roehrs; a son-in-law, John C. Rush; and a great-grandson, David K. Towers, also preceded him in death.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 24, at Clear Lake Lutheran Church in Fremont, Ind., with Pastor Mark Gaertner officiating. Burial will be in Clear Lake Lutheran Cemetery in Fremont, with military graveside rites performed by members of the Fremont America Legion post.
    Visitation is from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at Beams Funeral Home in Fremont, Ind.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Clear Lake Lutheran Church in Fremont, Ind.
    Messages of sympathy may be left for the family online at www.beamsfuneralhome.com.