Death Notices

Published July 1, 2023 - 8:00 p.m. Modified August 12, 2025 - 4:32 p.m.

Dr. Lowell D. Bower, 92, of Strasburg died June 19, 2023, in the Community Hospice Truman House at New Philadelphia.

John Bradley Hanner, 70, of Dover and a longtime resident of Gnadenhutten, died June 21, 2023, following a decline from frontal lobe temporal dementia.

Donald E. Huff, 83, of Dennison died in Park Village Rehabilitation of Dover on June 24, 2023, following a period of declining health.

Karen Michele Fisher, 67, of Dover died Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Community Hospice Truman House following a period of declining health.

Sandra Rybarczyk, 76, of New Philadelphia died Thursday, June 15, 2023, in Community Hospice Truman House at New Philadelphia after a period of declining health.

Robert Dean Haney, 76, of Uhrichsville died June 26, 2023, in Walnut Hills Retirement Home following a period of declining health.

Holmes County GRIT expands for summer

The free teen fitness program at 9:24 CrossFit in Berlin will continue during school break and remain open to referred county youth

H15 in Millersburg remains faithful 10 years into the dream

Millersburg ministry reflects on a decade of growth, building renovations and ongoing fundraising for teen programs and a cafe project

Pomerene celebrates 2026 DAISY Award winner Renee Conkle

The Millersburg nurse was recognized May 6 after helping save Tim Burgett during a cardiac arrest at Kinetics

YMCA opens Holmes County child care

The Holmes County Y Learning Academy at NewPointe Church in Millersburg begins serving children age 6 weeks to 6 years May 11

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Local

Group standing in front of two red Case IH tractors and a Case IH sign outdoors.

Sterling Farm Equipment marks 75 years

Wayne County commissioners recognize company’s agricultural roots and local impact

Two steaks grilling over open flames on metal grates.

Bake sale, chicken fundraiser planned in Shreve

Annual event supports County Line Historical Society of Wayne/Holmes

Premier of ‘Peter’s Train’ puts hope, joy to music

The East Holmes Fine Arts event featured a new composition based on a Loudonville boy’s book inspired by his life with Batten disease

Millersburg Glass Appraisal Fair could reveal rare pieces

Experts will identify and value up to three pieces per visitor May 14 at the Sieverdes Millersburg Glass Museum in Holmes County

Top-down view of assorted fruits and vegetables arranged on a gray surface.

TOPS Nashville members discuss emotional regulation

Lana Rush presents program on breaking negative emotional cycles

Sports

Proper, Cline birds of a feather for Lady Knights

Zalina Proper and Briar Cline, longtime Lady Knights teammates from Holmes County, will continue their careers at Findlay and Walsh

Softball player in a Bears uniform reaches toward a ball while another player stands nearby.

Photo gallery: Smithville-Waynedale softball

The Golden Bears picked up a 7-5 win over the Smithies in WCAL play

Softball pitcher in a red jersey and white pants throws a ball on a field.

Hiland baseball clinches IVC South title

The Hawks rolled through four wins while Clay Lehman and Quinn Mullet earned a district berth in boys tennis

Runners compete on an outdoor track, with a baton carrier leading in the foreground.

West Holmes softball splits OCC games, falls to Garaway

The Knights topped New Philadelphia before falling to the Quakers and Garaway

Softball player in red swings at a yellow ball near home plate with teammates watching from the dugout.

Garaway softball has record-setting win

Krista Miller broke two career records, True Tango set a season mark and Dennis Koshmider earned his 250th win

Pair of aces at Fire Ridge

Judah Layton and Brent Hofstetter each made a hole-in-one on No. 14 in early May at Fire Ridge Golf Course

Tango sets new hits record for Garaway softball

The Garaway sophomore broke the program's single-season mark with her 52nd hit May 9 against West Holmes in Sugarcreek

Life and Learning

Three people seated closely together and smiling against a yellow background.

The Hoppers to perform at Ohio Star Theater

Southern gospel group scheduled for May 16 concert

Holmes County District Public Library plans full May schedule

Activities for all ages to be offered throughout the month

West Holmes FFA wraps up a busy year of activity

Chapter members volunteered at Nashville and Loudonville events while dairy judging and floriculture teams competed in regional and state contests

A large group of people poses outside a single-story building with a parking lot and cloudy sky.

Students explore careers across Tuscarawas County

The program is designed to bridge the gap between local schools and employers while inspiring students to consider career options available in their communities

Hunter holding binoculars and rifle in a grassy field.

Holmes County 4-H Shooting Sports Club meeting set

Organizational meeting and officer elections March 14 near Millersburg

A group of people posing outdoors on grass in front of a large building.

Ohio Star Theater to premiere ‘Elijah: Prophet of Fire’

New production brings biblical story to life on Dutch Valley campus

Columns and Opinion

Public Affairs

Fire trucks and emergency vehicles displayed inside a hangar with people walking among them.

New fire station opens in Fredericksburg

South Central Fire District officials say the facility improves firefighter safety, operations and response readiness

Firefighters in front of South Central Fire District station.

South Central Fire District unveils modern facility

Community-funded project brings upgraded safety, efficiency

Row of voting booths with VOTE signs beneath red, white and blue bunting.

Holmes County voters see few close contests in primary

Few races proved competitive as most winners cruised to nomination victories

Holmes County Trail rules help maintain safety for all

Holmes Park District Director Jen Halverson urged trail users to slow down, communicate when passing and follow posted speed limits as traffic increases

A hand writing on a ballot at a voting station.

Primary ballot in Holmes County features high-profile races

Voters to weigh in on governor, Senate and local issues

East Holmes board addresses wide range of district business

Contracts, calendar updates and personnel approved

Close-up of a hand holding a baseball near a person’s waistband.

Nashville Jolly Farmers members showcase skills

Demonstrations highlight talents and learning

Holmes County honors Hiland state champions

Commissioners recognized the Hawks’ Division VI title team and seven seniors with a proclamation April 27

Obituaries

Smiling woman wearing glasses and a red-and-white checkered top in front of a blurred green background.

Lorena Miller

Lorena Mae Miller passed on May 9, 2026 at the age of 98; she was born on May 23, 1927, in Canton, Ohio, to the late David and Gladys (Fausnight) Kinsley.

Bearded man with glasses seated indoors in front of an Ohio State sign.

Jeffrey Craig

Jeff Craig Click to add byline Jeffrey Allen Craig of Millersburg, Ohio passed away on May 6, 2026, following a lengthy decline in health. He was born on April 22, 1958, in Wooster, Ohio.

Close-up of an elderly man wearing glasses and a bright neon yellow shirt.

Thomas Woodruff

Thomas Eugene Woodruff, 82, of Holmesville, Ohio, passed away on Monday May 11, 2026 at Sycamore Run Nursing Home.

Levi R. Mast

Levi R. Mast, 88, of Winesburg, Ohio, passed away at Pomerene Hospital on Monday, May 11, 2026, after a period of declining health.

Close-up of a man indoors in front of a tan perforated wall.

Steven L. Brown

Steven “Steve” L. Brown, age 69, of Millersburg, Ohio, and formerly of Mexia, Texas, unexpectedly passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Akron Summa Hospital.