Obituaries for February 8, 2008

Death notices for Norman E. "Bud" Looker, Peggy Louise Richardson and Donald William "Whitey" Unterbrink.

LOOKER
    Norman E. “Bud” Looker, 75, of Van Wert, died at 3:38 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2008, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.
    He was born June 20, 1932, in Bloomingburg, the son of the late Delbert and Marjorie Looker. He married Janet (Beck) Looker, who survives.
    Mr. Looker was a retired employee of the former Chrysler Amplex plant in Van Wert.
    Survivors include three daughters, Kimberly (Kirk) Semer, Jennifer (Matt) Merklin and Sarah Looker; a sister, Eleanor Fletcher; and four grandchildren, Stephanie Semer, Brianna Merklin, Evan Merklin and Heath Merklin.
    There will be no funeral services.
    Visitation is from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, February 10, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert.
    Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider his grandchildren.
    Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.

RICHARDSON
    Peggy Louise Richardson, 74, of rural Van Wert, died at 1:28 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2008, at her residence.
    She was born July 26, 1930, in Flint, Mich., the daughter of the late Ralph Elmo and Mildred Mabel (Copeland) Myers. On May 29, 1954, in Flint, she married John Everett Richardson, who survives.
    Other survivors include two sons, Paul E. (Anne P.) Richardson of Wren and Stephen E. Richardson of Convoy; a daughter, Jill A. (Todd) Williams of Rockford; one sister, Regina “Jean” (Ken) Trimmer of Fenton, Mich.; and seven grandchildren.
    A grandson, Matthew K. Richardson, also preceded her in death.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, February 11, at Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert, with her husband and the Rev. John Goodwin officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
    Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, February 10, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Monday at the church.
    Memorials: Calvary Evangelical Church or Community Health Professionals-Hospice the Caring Way.

 UNTERBRINK
    Donald William “Whitey” Unterbrink, 84, of Van Wert, died at 6 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2008, at his residence.
    He was born September 2, 1923, in Cloverdale, the son of the late Bernard W. and Lucy (Heckman) Unterbrink. On August 21, 1948, he married Patty Lou DeBolt, who preceded him in death on February 28, 2005.
    Donald, a 1942 graduate of Van Wert High School, was a previous owner of Millie’s Restaurant in Ottoville. He and his brothers once owned the original Olympic Lanes, which was on the corner of Central Avenue and Walnut Street in Van Wert. Their cousin, Art Droll, bought them out and, when he relocated the bowling alley, kept the name Olympic Lanes. Whitey also had been employed at the Elks Lodge and Bar 30 as steward and at Crescent Laundry. He retired in 1991 as the manager of the Laundry Services at the Marsh Foundation. Donald was lifetime member of Elks Lodge 1197 and Moose Lodge 1320, both in Van Wert, and was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert.
    Survivors include his children, Gregory W. (Mary) Unterbrink of Van Wert, Sandra K.U. Young of Convoy, Diana S. Williamson of Van Wert and Daniel T. (Jennifer) Unterbrink of Delaware; and five grandchildren, Shane (Elizabeth) Williamson, Roxanne Unterbrink, Cassie Young, Mari Young, and Benjamin Unterbrink. Also surviving are his siblings, Victoria Rhoades, Ruth Putman, Ralph (Denise) Unterbrink, Bernadette Poling, Julie (Roger) Hoersten, Carol Gribler, Linus (Joyce) Unterbrink; and many nieces and nephews.
    An infant son, David; a son-in-law, Ned L. Young; and three brothers, Lou, Alphonse and Walter Unterbrink, also preceded him in death.
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 13, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert, with Father Mike Zacharias officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
    Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, where an Elks memorial service will be held at 7:45 and a Rosary service at 8 that evening.

    Memorial contributions may be made to Van Wert Community Health Professionals-Hospice the Caring Way.
    Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.