All Obituaries

Roberta Crawford, age 90, passed away peacefully at Marion General Hospital Sunday evening December 7th after a brief illness. She had been a resident of Primrose Retirement Community of Marion for the last 4 years. The lifelong Marion resident was born to Ralph G and Evelyn Flanigan Cramer on October 30th, 1935. On January 28th,1955, she married Melton “Mike” Crawford, they shared 53 years together. She attended Marion City Schools knowing from an early age she would be in the ...

John William Hickman, Jr, age 60, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on March 7, 2026. John was born on May 8, 1965, to his late parents, John William Hickman and Virginia Baer-Rousch (Miller), in Kenton, OH. He would find and marry the love of his life, Pamela Hickman, in Marion, OH, on August 14, 2004. John worked in early years at JLenco, Hanes Manufacturing, Rocky’s Auto Parts, and was a manager at Burger King. His last job was delivering food for the OK Café. ...

Dixie Ann (Fortner) Leathem, Lifelong resident of Marion, Ohio died Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at her home. She was born September 3, 1937, the first child of Dick and Donna Fortner. She married Larry Leathem, and they celebrated 67 years of marriage in January, prior to her passing. Dixie was a graduate of Harding High School in Marion and a 1958 graduate of Marion General Hospital School of Nursing. She was one of several in the first graduating class of the MGH school and worked her ...

Betty Jane (Gibbs) Rollison, age 95, of Marion, passed away on March 2, 2026, at the Meadows of Marion. Betty was born on September 17, 1930, in Ashley, OH., to the late Jacob Ernest, and Clara Belle (Hedge) Gibbs. On Oct 22, 1946, in Greenup, KY., Betty would marry the love of her life Gale “Gayle” Edwin Rollison, and the two would be married until his passing on Jan 17, 2014. Betty worked as a candler at Hoch's Egg Farm and later in the soil laboratory at NaChurs where she ...

Travis Michael Jackson Jr., age 81, of Marion passed away at Morrow County Manor on February 24, 2026. Travis was born to the late Travis M. and Eldora (Thompson) Jackson Sr., in Lebanon, MO. He graduated from high school and continue his education earning a master’s degree in business management from Golden Gate University. Travis would honorably serve his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Once out of the Navy Travis’ need to help and serve did not stop ...

Rita Ann (Lewis) Fry, age 81, of Marion, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 26, 2026, following a short illness. She was born August 30,1944, in Lewis County, Kentucky, and was the youngest daughter of the late Clarence Lewis and Violet (Gilbert) Saunders.‍ The family were long time residents of Vanceburg, Kentucky. Rita was preceded in death by her brother Gary R. Lewis and beloved sister Janice N. (Lewis) Bush. Rita leaves behind her longtime companion, Robert Gist ...

Allen Dale Steinberger, 72, passed away in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his family on February 25, 2026. Allen was born on June 1, 1953, in rural West Liberty, OH, to his late parents, Vernon and Juanita Steinberger. Allen and his wife, Bonnie Steinberger, would get married and be together until her passing. Allen worked at the local quarry as a heavy equipment operator for over 40 years before retiring. He was a handyman that enjoyed helping fix machines at his job and ...

Betty Mae (Mattix) Dietsch, 97 passed February 8, 2026 at Primrose Retirement Community of Marion. She was born August 29, 1928 to Merle and Bessie (Darst) Mattix on a farm in Morrow County, Ohio. She graduated from Cardington High School in May 1946. On June 22, 1946, she married George C. Dietsch (Aug. 10, 1920 – Feb. 10, 2013). They had four children, all of whom survive: Neil (Arielle) of Hendersonville NC, Jeanne (William Kennedy) of Peterborough NH, Terrence (Mary) of Van Wert ...

Deacon Edward Nathaniel Bristel was born on May 11, 1948, in Huntington, New York, to George and Alice Bristel. He was the eighth of twelve children. On February 14, 2026, he peacefully departed this life. Those that transitioned before him were his parents, one sister Alice four brothers George, Alfred, Clarence, Michael and his eldest son LaTaunce Edward received his early education in the Copiague Public School District and later attended schools within the New York City Public School ...

Russell (“Rusty”) Ray Hawkins, age 62, passed away on February 13, 2026, in the comfort of his home. On December 19, 1963, in Marion, OH, he was welcomed into the world by his late parents, Charles (“Cookie”) Ray Hawkins and Wilma (“Jeanie”) Jean Hayes. Married on June 2, 1989, Rusty and the love of his life, Janet Sue Hawkins, would spend 40 loving years together. Rusty was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His life’s pursuit was to love ...