GUNSETT

John W. Gunsett, 78, of Fort Myers, Fla., and formerly of Van Wert, died Monday, December 7, 2009, at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers.

He was born December 3, 1931, in Van Wert, where he lived most of his life until moving to Florida several years ago. He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur “Dick” and Mary Gunsett.

Mr. Gunsett was a longtime businessman in Van Wert, first as the owner of Gunsett’s Hardware and later as the owner of Gunsett Realty. He graduated from Van Wert High School, where he received the Dannaker Award for being the best athlete in the senior class. He earned a degree at Wittenberg University, where he played starting center on the football team his junior and senior years. He was also a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and also served in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

Throughout his life he had many hobbies, including training racehorses, raising rabbits, skiing, boating, playing tennis and bowling. He was an avid sports fan and attended the Indianapolis 500 more than 50 times.

Survivors include his son, John (Jaclyn) Gunsett Jr. of Van Wert; a daughter, Sharon (Richard) Gunsett-Kennedy of Fort Myers; and four beloved grandsons, Jeremy and Jesse Gunsett and Joshua and Jacob Kennedy.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

There will be no local visitation.

In honor of his grandson, preferred memorials are to the National Down Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway, New York, NY 10012 (phone 800.221.4602).

Arrangements were handled by Harvey-Engelhardt-Metz Funeral Home in Fort Myers.

HOLTSBERRY

Paul D. Holtsberry, 82, of Paulding, died Monday, December 7, 2009, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.

He was born March 11, 1927, in Hedges, the son of the late Paul and Ruth (Phillips) Holtsberry. On July 1, 1949, he married Betty Jane Good, who preceded him in death on July 19, 2008.

Survivors include three daughters, Paula (Charles) Coe and Patricia (Todd) Messman, both of Paulding, and Linda Royer of Van Wert; four sisters, Alice Foust of Antwerp, Ramona Fillman of Paulding, Clara Marie Moden of Cecil and Ruth Elaine Underwood of Van Wert; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and his dog, Barney.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, December 11, at Den Herder Funeral Home in Paulding, with the Rev. Ben Lowell officiating. Burial will be in Hedges Cemetery in rural Paulding County, with graveside military rites performed by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 587 in Paulding.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, December 10, and an hour prior to services Friday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Retinitis Pigmentosa Institute for Fighting Blindness.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.denherderfh.com.

FINNEGAN

Larry E. Finnegan, 72, of Paulding, died Monday, December 7, 2009.

He was born June 29, 1935, in Broughton, the son of the Inella (McCullough) Finnegan, who survives in Paulding, and the late Floyd Finnegan. On November 29, 1959, he married Shirley (Lytle) Finnegan, who also survives in Paulding.

Other survivors include four daughters, Diana Finnegan of Paulding, Kellie (Eric) Morningstar of Highland Ranch, Colo., Terri (Brent) Richards of Decatur, Ind., and Cindi Jo (Joe) Finnegan Foltz of Punta Gorda, Fla.; a sister, Betty Lou Laukhuf of Bowling Green; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 10, at First Christian Church in Paulding, with the Rev. Greg Bibler officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery in Paulding, with graveside military rites performed by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 587 in Paulding.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, at Den Herder Funeral Home in Paulding and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Preferred memorials: Paulding Area Visiting Nurses and Hospice or First Christian Church.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.denherderfh.com.

BRUNS

Alice Joan Bruns, 80, of Rockford, died at 11:20 a.m. Monday, December 7, 2009, at Shane Hill Nursing Home in Rockford.

She was born August 20, 1929, in Rockford, the daughter of the late Otto and Nora (Stover) Linn. On May 13, 1950, she married Ralph L. Bruns, who preceded her in death on April 2, 1996.

Survivors include four sons, Michael (Vicki) Bruns of Rockford, Joe (Dianna) Bruns of Celina, Kenny (Lydia) Bruns of Howard City, Mich., and Ronald (Kerri) Bruns of Bluffton, S.C.; five daughters, Linda (Chuck) Jones of Grand Ledge, Mich., Deb (Mark) Grove of Woodville, Diane (Jim) Arn of Grover Hill, and Michelle (Neil) Field and Leigh Ann (Craig) Osborn, both of Rockford; two brothers, Gene (Doradean) Linn of Florida and Robert (Beatrice) Linn of Rockford; a sister, Janet (Chuck) Heureux of Indian Lake; one sister-in-law, Joyce Linn of Ohio City; 21 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Two infant sons, James and Jonathon Bruns; two brothers, Herman and Paul Linn; and a sister, Ethel Longsworth, also preceded her in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 10, at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, Ohio 707 in Rockford, with Father Tom Brenberger officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford.

Preferred memorials: St. Teresa Catholic Church or a charity of donor’s choice.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to ketchamripleyfh@embarqmail.com.