Susan E. Hirt (1952–2025)
Frederick Hirt Family
Susan E. Keefe Hirt, of Preston, CT and Brooksville, Florida, passed away on February 23, 2025 following a courageous battle with cancer.
Sue was born and raised in CT and graduated from Waterford High School. Born into a large family of six children, Sue helped in raising her younger siblings. She had a tremendous work ethic and excelled in every job she held. She worked until October 2024 for CG Southern as the office manager. Always a whiz with numbers, she worked for many years at the Sub Base Credit Union. While raising her children, she was a bus driver and coordinator in Preston.
Sue was a proud Navy wife, marrying Ken in 1978, raising a close-knit and loving family in Preston, and adoring her role as grandmother and “Mamma” to five grandchildren. She loved to travel, shop, play cards, and to entertain, especially during the holidays. She hosted Christmas Eve gatherings and Easter Egg hunts for her extended family that no one wanted to miss! She made many friends wherever she went. She was a member of the Brooksville VFW #8713.
She is survived by her loving husband, Ken, her children & their spouses, Christopher & Reiko Hirt, Courtney & Clark Woodmansee, and Maggie & Drew Tourangeau, all of Preston. To say her grandchildren were the lights of her life might be an understatement. Sean, Parker, Kendall, Reagan and Sakura loved spending time at her house baking Christmas cookies and traveling on vacations to Vermont, Ohio, South Carolina and Florida. Her siblings Patricia Leroy (Paul), Michael Keefe (Jung), Richard Donatelli, Jr., and Theresa Donatelli (Paul) will miss her dearly.
Sue was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth & Richard Donatelli, her infant son Patrick Lyle Hirt, her eldest brother Robert Keefe, and her husband’s parents, Lyle & Gladine Hirt.
Calling hours will be held Saturday March 8th, 2025 from 11am-1pm, followed by a memorial service at Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home490 Voluntown Road, Jewett City, CT.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Brooksville VFW Post 8713, 1681 Jefferson Street, Brooksville, FL 34601.
Richard “Dick” Schepflin (1943–2025)
Samuel Hirt Family
Richard C. “Dick” Schepflin, 81, of Fremont passed away March 4, 2025 at Valley View Care Center. He was born on June 29, 1943, in Fremont, the son of Richard H. & Marjorie C. (Henne) Schepflin. Dick was a graduate of Fremont Ross High School and Findlay University. He started his career with Union Carbide in sales and later owned Standard Sheet Metal. Dick was known for his dedication, hard work, generosity and quick wit.
He was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church and a current member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He served as a past trustee of the Oakwood Cemetery Association and was previously a member of the Fremont Eagles and the Fremont Elks. He enjoyed sprint car racing, attending races at the Fremont Speedway, NASCAR, and OSU football. Dick cherished time spent in Florida, golfing and many games of cards with family and friends.
Surviving are his wife Olivia “Anne” (Rich), whom he married on Feb. 5, 1966; daughters Dian (Derrick) Denman of Fremont; Dena (Todd) Nash of Olathe, KS; grandchildren Danika and Dane Denman, Parker (Taylor), Cayden, Cooper, Kennedy and Chandler Nash; great-grandchild: P.J. Nash; Siblings Sylvia (Jim) Lagrou, Ruth “Ruthie” Lipnick, and Sharon “Sherry” (Dan) Underwood.He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Sam Schepflin, and brother-in-law, Mike Lipnick.
A special thanks to his exceptional care teams at Valley View Care Center and Heartland Hospice.
Visitation for Dick will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025 from 4-7 PM at the Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Crematory, 900 North Street, Fremont. A Funeral Mass will begin at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 550 Smith Road, Fremont, OH, Rev. Chris Kardzis will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials in honor of Dick may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Heartland Hospice, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.Online condolences may be expressed at www.hermanfh.com.
Jean E. Hirt (1938–2025)
Lewis Hirt Family
Jean E. Hirt passed away quietly at her home Tuesday, June 3, 2025. She was married to Douglas A. Hirt in 1957 and until his death in 2016. They had three children together, Janet Hirt, Steven Hirt, and Judith Burk.
Jean is best remembered as a semi-professional musician. Her broad experience began with Fremont Ross High School Marching Band while only a grade-schooler at age 11. She has been a section leader and principal clarinetist for Fostoria Community Band and served as a board member for 21 years. Jean has given guidance musically in Fostoria Public Schools and for Fostoria High School Band.
Her passion was performing in pit orchestras for regional musicals and performing in regional community bands and orchestras. She was a 2010 inductee to Fremont Ross Music Hall of Fame.
Private burial will be at Greenlawn Memory Gardens in Clyde.
Arrangements are being handled by MANN-HARE-HOENING FUNERAL HOME, 407 N. Countyline St., Fostoria, Ohio 44830.
Online expressions of sympathy can be made by visiting www.hoeningfuneralhome.com
James F. Schwartz (1946–2025)
Frederick Hirt Family
James F. Schwartz, 78, of Lindsey, died Thursday, June 26, 2025 at his residence. He was born June 27, 1946 in Ottawa County the son of Carl and Rosemary (Garvin) Schwartz. Jim was graduate of Fremont Ross High where he earned his State FFA and American Farmer Degrees. On August 19, 1967 he married Margaret Atkinson at Grace Lutheran Church.
Jim lived a life with purpose, he spent countless hours working the land he loved, finding joy in the simple pleasures of farming and the beauty of the great outdoors. He was an adventurer at heart, and his long-haul truck driving journeys to Texas allowed him to experience the vibrant landscapes of this country. Above all, Jim cherished his family. He was a proud father and grandfather dedicating time and love to his girls and grandchildren, and instilling in them the values of hard work. Jim also served his community as a member of the Lindsey Volunteer Fire Department and the Fremont Young Farmers, he was committed to helping others and giving back to the community. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.
Surviving is his wife Margaret of Lindsey, OH;daughters Jackie (Brian) Mowry of Kansas, OH; Jen (Ken) Bonnigson of Clyde, OH; grandchildren: Morgan (Justin) Bost of Decatur, IN; Paul (Shelby Newcomer) of Arlington, OH; Kenny Bonnigson and Kristopher Bonnigson both of Clyde, OH; great-granddaughter Eliza Bost and 2 great-grandchildren expected in the fall; siblings: Janet Schwartz of Columbus, OH; Peg Schwartz of Fremont, OH; Bill Schwartz of Lindsey, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother David Schwartz.
Visitation will take place from 4-7 PM on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Crematory, 900 North Street, Fremont, OH. Additional visitation will begin at 9AM on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church, 1187 CR 128, Fremont, OH. Funeral services will begin at 10AM officated by Pastor Tim Miller. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or Lindsey Volunteer Fire Department. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hermanfh.com
Lana Marie (Babione) Casperson (1954-2025)
Samuel Hirt Family
LANA M CASPERSON, 71, OF GREEN SPRINGS, PASSED AWAY SURROUNDED BY HER FAMILY ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2025, AT SPRING CREEK NURSING AND REHAB CENTER. SHE WAS BORN ON MARCH 11, 1954, IN FREMONT OHIO TO CLARENCE H. AND HELEN M (HUSS) BABIONE JR.
LANA GRADUATED FROM VANGUARD VOCATIONAL CENTER AND FREMONT ROSS HIGH SCHOOL IN 1972. SHE ATTENDED TERRA TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
LANA HAD WORKED IN OAK HARBOR OHIO AT RIVERVIEW NURSING HOME IN THE KITCHEN.
LANA MET AND MARRIED JAMES E CASPERSON AT ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH IN PORT CLINTON WHERE THEY HAVE REMAINED MEMBERS. THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN SO THEY SPENT TIME WITH NIECES AND NEPHEWS. THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE BAY TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT AND LOVED ATTENDING FIRE CONVENTIONS.
LANA IS SURVIVED BY HER HUSBAND JAMES OF GREEN SPRINGS, SISTERS SARAH BABIONE, DEBORAH BABIONE, LAURA (LARRY) WALDON, AND LYDIA BABIONE. LARA WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HER PARENTS AND SISTER JANE FRAZIER.
SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2025, AT 1 PM IN THE CHAPEL AT SPRING CREEK NURSING AND REHAB, 401 N BROADWAY STREET, GREEN SPRINGS OH. OFFICIATED BY PASTOR JARROD SCHAFF.
THE FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF AT SPRING CREEK NURSING AND REHAB AND HEARTLAND HOSPICE FOR THEIR LOVING CARE OF LANA IN HER FINAL DAYS.
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO:
THE BIG NUT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
JON PETERS
1990 CR 239
FREMONT OH 43420
ARRANGEMENTS BY HABEGGER FUNERAL SERVICE, TOLEDO OHIO. Habegger Funeral Services is honored to serve the Casperson family. We encourage you to share a fond memory or condolences by visiting www.habeggerfuneralservices.com
James “Jim” Lagrou (1937–2025)
Samuel Hirt Family
James “Jim” A. Lagrou, 88, of Fremont, OH passed away on November 11, 2025 at Toledo ProMedica Hospital. Jim was born on August 25, 1937 to Amos and Angela (Mosser) Lagrou in Riley Township, OH. Jim was a 1955 graduate of Fremont Ross High School. He married Sylvia Schepflin on February 7, 1959 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and she survives.
Jim worked for Brush Wellman CO. for forty-one years and retired in 1999. Jim farmed his property part time. He enjoyed sprint cars, farm sale auctions, traveling, woodworking and collecting erector sets. He loved spending time with his grandkids. Jim was also a past member of the Fremont Eagles.
Jim is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Sylvia Lagrou; children, James C. (Mikki) Lagrou, Mesa, AZ, Joel (Sandy) Lagrou, Fremont, OH, Jenny (Mark) Monnett, Fremont, OH; grandchildren, Jake, Grant, Raegan, Nicole; two step grandsons; brother, Ed Lagrou, Marblehead, OH.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will take place on Monday, November 17, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E. State St. Fremont, OH 43420.
Services will take place on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with an hour of visitation prior to services from 10-11 a.m.
Burial will follow at Faust Cemetery.
Memorials can be made in his honor to the Donor’s Choice.