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Lazarus Project

An expanded obituary project of MennObits.  Includes additional information of obituaries appearing in
The Mennonite and other newspapers.  
Source of individual obituaries given with each record.  Project managed by Thelma Martin.

 1999 - R


  Rich, Wanda M. Lugbill;  Rufehacht, Reo D.;   Rufenacht, Viola A. Short;  


Rich, Wanda M. Lugbill


Wanda M. Rich, 80, Archbold, died Tuesday evening, April 27, 1999, at Heartland of Wauseon. She had suffered a massive stroke Saturday in her home.
    Born Aug. 22, 1918, in Henry County near Archbold, she was a daughter of Sylvanus and Mary (Schmucker) Lugbill. She married Clarence A. Rich on Nov. 24, 1938, and he preceded her in death on June 3, 1995. A lifelong resident of the Archbold area, she was a homemaker. She was a charter member of the Zion Mennonite Church, where she was active with the Mennonite Women; and did volunteer work at Fairlawn Haven, and the Fulton County Health Center.
    Surviving are one son, Phillip (Gwen) Rich, Archbold; two daughters. Mrs. Dan (Mary) Liechty, Goshen, Ind.; and Mrs. Dan (Karen) Ruth, Archbold; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; two brothers, Charles (Shirley) Lugbill, Archbold; and Ralph (Viva) Lugbill, Estes Park, Colo.; and a sister, Donna Lugbill, Archbold.
    Memorial services were Friday, 11 a.m., at the Zion Mennonite Church with Ron Guengerich and Dee Swartz as the officiating pastors. Burial preceded in the Pettisville Cemetery.
Obituary: Archbold (Ohio) Buckeye, 5 May 1999
Submitted by: Mona Mann



Rufehacht, Reo D.

Reo D. Rufenacht, 93, Archbold, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at Heartland of Wauseon, were he had resided since Nov. 12.
    Born Nov. 9, 1906, near Archbold, he was a son of Elias and Louisa (Aschliman) Rufenacht and married Erma Beck on Feb. 16, 1932.
    A lifelong resident of the Archbold area, he farmed and worked at the former Lugbill Livestock Auction, Archbold, about 35 years. He was the caretaker at Archbold Cemetery, and the grave digger at various area cemeteries about 35 years. He was a member of the West Clinton Mennonite Church near Pettisville.
    Survivors include his wife, Erma; one son, Dwayne (Bonnie) Rufenacht, LaJunta, Colo,; two daughters, Mrs. Stanley (Marlene) Smucker, North Newton, Kan.; and Mrs. Luke (Marilyn) Yoder, Archbold; eight grandsons; 15 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Maynard (Bernice) Rufenacht, Archbold.
    Memorial services were Friday, 11 a.m. at the West Clinton Mennonite Church. James Roynon was the officiating pastor. Interment in Pettisville Cemetery preceded the service.          
Obituary: Archbold (Ohio) Buckeye, 1999
Submitted by: Mona Mann



Rufenacht, Viola A. Short

Viola A. Rufenacht, 91, Wauseon, died Tuesday morning, July 20, 1999, at Fairlawn Haven in Archbold, where she had resided since 1992.
    Born June 3, 1908, near Wauseon, she was a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Miller) Short. She married Olen Rufenacht on Feb. 15, 1934, and he preceded her in death on May 22, 1981. A lifelong resident of the Wauseon area, she was a homemaker. She was a member of the West Clinton Mennonite Church near Pettisville.
    Surviving are twin sons, Verle Rufenacht, Shirati, Tanzania, East Africa, and Verlen Rufenacht, Lancaster, Pa.; three daughters, Mrs. Wilmer (Mary Louise) Lehman, Harrisonburg, Va.; Mrs. Clinton (Helen) Hofstetter, Apple Creek, Ohio; and Geneva Rufenacht, Landisville, Pa.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Elden (Erma) Short, Wauseon; and Lawrence D. (Doris) Short, Archbold; three sisters, Mrs. Levi (Beulah) Troyer, Fairview, Mich.; Mrs. Elton (Florence) Aeschliman, Wauseon; and Mrs. David (Martha) Miller, Harrisonburg, Va.
    Memorial services were Friday, 4 p.m. at the West Clinton Mennonite Church. Edward Diener and David F. Miller were the officiating pastors. Burial was in Pettisville Cemetery.  
Obituary: Archbold (Ohio) Buckeye, 28 Jul 1999
Submitted by: Mona Mann

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