RHODES
    Roger E. Rhodes, 82, of Grover Hill, died at 5:20 a.m. Sunday, March 23, 2008, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne, Ind.
    He was born September 3, 1925, in Continental, the son of the late Calvin “Roy” and Mary (Myers) Rhodes. On November 28, 1949, in Cloverdale, he married Alma (Pratt) Rhodes, who survives in Grover Hill.
    Mr. Rhodes was retired from Louisiana Pacific in Ottawa after 46 years. He was an honorary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Ottawa and was an avid sportsman who loved to fish and hunt.
    In addition to his wife, survivors include eight children, Jenny (D. Dean) Pruden and Manuel (Julia) Rhodes, both of Van Wert, Julia (Tom) Wagoner, Rhonda (David) Topp, and Ben Rhodes, all of Grover Hill, Michael Rhodes and Claire (Jim) Smith, both of Scott, and Steven (Kim) Rhodes of Defiance; 23 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 14 stepgreat-grandchildren.
    Six brothers; three sisters; two grandchildren (Christina Boyd and Roger Topp), and a great-grandchild, Kelli Miller, also preceded him in death.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert. Burial will be in Scott Cemetery.
    Visitation is from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the funeral home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Paulding County Visiting Nurses or Grover Hill Fire & EMS.
    Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at agfhc@embarqmail.com.

FISHER
    Don Stephen Fisher, 60, of Rockford, died at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, March 23, 2008, at his residence after battling leukemia.
    He was born October 4, 1947, in Celina, the son of the late Carl J. and Ruth E. (Weisman) Fisher. On April 6, 1974, he married Jacqueline (Breese) Fisher, who survives in Rockford.
    Other survivors include two children, Brian A. Fisher of Rockford and Andrea L. Fisher of Big Rapids, Mich.; and a brother, Gary (Jane) Fisher of Rockford.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, at Rockford United Methodist Church, with Pastor Mike Berne officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford, with military graveside rites performed by American Legion Post 508 in Rockford.
    Visitation is from 2-8 p.m. at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford and an hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.
    Memorials: The Cancer Association of Mercer County or to the Don S. Fisher Scholarship Fund for graduating Parkway seniors.
    Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at ketchamripleyfh@embarqmail.com.

LEWIS
    Richard D. “Dick” Lewis, 76, of Van Wert, died at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, March 23, 2008, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
    He was born June 13, 1931, in Van Wert County, the son of the late John and Fara (Carmean) Lewis. On March 5, 1969, he married Betty L. (Jenkins) Lewis, who survives in Van Wert.
    Mr. Lewis had worked in the railway tower on North Chestnut Street for many years and retired from Kennedy Manufacturing after 27 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandpa and friend to all he met. He enjoyed fishing, camping and horse races. He spent many hours cutting firewood with his friend, Dave Baer, in the woods. He enjoyed the Gaithers on Saturday evening, but his favorite was polka music. He also had served as a trustee on the Van Wert County Fair Board.
    In addition to his wife, survivors include seven children, Maurice Lewis of Middle Point, Marvin (Linda) Lewis Bill Lewis, David Taylor and Beth Engstrand, all of Indiana, Jon (Linda) Lewis of Grover Hill and Jenni (Eric) Profit of Van Wert; a brother, Ed Lewis of Florida; one sister, Sharon (Dick) Wreede of Delphos; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
    A son, Gregg Lewis, and one brother, John Lewis Jr., also preceded him in death.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point.
    Visitation is from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the funeral home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Van Wert DARE program or a charity of the donor’s choice.
    Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.

SUTTON
    Barnetta Jean “Barnie” Sutton, 85, of Paulding, died Sunday, March 23, 2008, at The Laurels of Defiance.
    She was born July 25, 1922, in Paulding, the daughter of the late Charles R. and Amanda E. (Anspach) Miller. On October 8, 1949, she married F. Vincent Sutton, who preceded her in death on April 11, 1986.
    Survivors include a sister, Joyce Huseby and her family, Melinda (Tom) Krick and Eric, all of Paulding; an aunt, Mildred Hoschak of Paulding; a sister-in-law, June Taylor of Paulding; 16 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
    A brother, Charles “Chuck” Miller, also preceded her in death.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 26, at Den Herder Funeral Home in Paulding, with the Rev. Greg Bibler officiating. Burial will be in Paulding Memorial Cemetery.
    Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, and an hour prior to services Thursday at the funeral home.
    Memorials: Paulding County Hospital Foundation, Paulding County Senior Center or a charity of the donor’s choice.

BREESE
    Matthew Robert Breese, 25, of Willshire, died Sunday morning, March 23, 2008, at his residence.
    He was born March 17, 1983, in Van Wert, the son of Robert J. Breese and Linda Kaye (Walker) Breese, both of whom survive.
    Other survivors include his maternal grandmother, Fern Walker of Van Wert; a brother, Gregory Breese of Willshire; three sisters, Kimberly (Jerry) Kroeger of Rockford, Jennifer Breese of Van Wert and Trisha Breese of Butler, Ind.; and two nieces.
    His grandparents, Robert R. and Louise (Fronefield) Breese and Herbert Walker, and an aunt, Sharon Metz, also preceded him in death.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 28, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastors Matt Braun and Derek Stemen officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City.
    Visitation is from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the funeral home.
    Memorials: Nieces Katelyn and Madison Kroeger, and goddaughter, Lulu Ross.
    Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at cowanfh@yahoo.com.