STELZER

Merle Edwin Stelzer, age 91, of Celina, passed away Wednesday, 

May 13, 2020, at The Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford.

He was born January 26, 1929, in Lima, to the late Wilbur H. & Carrie L. 

(Gossman) Stelzer.

On June 26, 1949, he married Erma C. Denney, who preceded him in death.

Surviving are his 7 children: Timothy Stelzer of Maumee, Randy M. (Nancy)

Stelzer of Wapakoneta, Terry M. (Patricia) Stelzer of Marysville, Stephen E. 

Stelzer of Lima, Anne R. (Michael) Opperman of Anna, Patrick B. (Jennifer) 

Stelzer of Missouri City, Texas and Lucinda C.D. (Robert) Jolliff of Celina, 

brother & sister: Howard Stelzer and Lorna (Thomas) Emerson, and a 

sister-in-law, Patricia Stelzer.

Merle also had 12 grandchildren: Tonja, Bethany, Brian, Michael, Scott, 

Andrew, Kevin, Seth, Benjamin (deceased), Shelby, Courtney and Robert III, 

and 11 great grandchildren.  

He was preceded in death by siblings: Marcine (Robert) Dicus, Vernon Stelzer 

and Joan (Wilbert) Wolf, and a sister-in-law, Beverly Stelzer.

Merle was a 1947 graduate of Lima Central High School.  He served stateside 

with the U.S. Army, and was honorably discharged in 1951.

He retired from Milcor (Lima Register) in 2005, after 41 years of service.  

Merle was an active member of the Mendon Lions for 20 years and Mendon 

United Methodist Church, a member of Celina American Legion Post #210, 

and charter member of Mendon American Legion Post #2019. 

Merle loved his family, and his favorite pastime was visiting the friendly 

town of Mendon as often as he could.

Public Calling Hours will be held at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home 

in MENDON, on Tuesday, May 19, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.  Visitors will 

be limited to 10 at a time, and are asked to follow guidelines set by the Ohio 

Department of Health.  

Private Services for FAMILY ONLY will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, at 

the MENDON Funeral Home, with Pastor Rob Glenn officiating.  Burial will 

be at Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys, with military rites to be conducted 

by Celina American Legion Post #210 and VFW Post #5713.                         

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Mendon United Methodist Church.

If you are unable to attend, and would like to extend your sympathies to the family, 

please send a card, or leave messages at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of

W.H. Dick & Sons - Hellwarth Funeral Home, Mendon.

FREELAND

Judy Ann Freeland, age 67, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at her home in Mendon.

Born August 3, 1952, in Celina, she was the only daughter of Carl Millisor 

and Bessie Marie (Davis) Sanders.  Her parents, brothers: David Millisor 

and Darrell Sanders, step-father, Paul E. Sanders, and her special dog, 

Boomer, preceded her in death.

Judy's husband, Roger Freeland, survives.  They were married April 5, 1996.  

Husband, Leslie Muck, whom she married November 16, 1985, passed away 

on May 19, 1993, and a former husband, Don Barber, survives in Mendon.

Also surviving are her children: Kelly (Carole) Barber of South Carolina and 

Kristina Koester of Willshire, brothers & sisters: Floyd (Tina) Millisor of 

Michigan, Daniel (Linda) Millisor of Tennessee and Jeff (Lori) Sanders of 

Indiana, grandchildren: Alicia, Nathan, Andrea & Natasha Barber, Marcus 

Koester, and Brant & Rebecca Freeland, 11 great-grandchildren, step-children: 

Brian (Pebbles) Freeland of Parkersburg, West Virginia and Roger Freeland II 

of Celina, and Judy's lifelong friends: Gidget Burnett and Gloria Harner. 

A 1971 graduate of Mendon-Union High School, Judy had worked as a home 

health aide in the area.  She was an active member of Mendon First Church 

of God, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher.

Favorite pastimes were writing poetry, painting, shopping, playing cards, 

and reading, especially the Bible.  Judy enjoyed the outdoors - gardening, 

and watching the birds, squirrels, and other wildlife near her home. 

Private Family Services will be held at Mendon First Church of God, with 

Pastor Jason Boroff officiating.  Burial will take place at Mendon Cemetery. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Mendon First Church of God. 

Please share condolences and memories with the family 

at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com  

Arrangements are under the direction of

W.H. Dick & Sons - Hellwarth Funeral Home, Mendon.