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Edna
(Miner) Asmus |
Edna
Essie (Miner) Asmus was born on June 3, 1886 near Tontogany, Wood County, OH, the
daughter of Jacob and Louise
(Finkenbeiner) Miner. She lived to the age of 102.
Dick and Edna Asmus
On March 26, 1913, in Perrysburg, Wood County, when she was age 27, Essie entered into marriage with 25-year-old Frederick Christian "Dick" Asmus (July 4, 1887-1954), a native of Haskins, Wood County. He was the son of Anton and Eliza (Dauer) Asmus and a lifetime resident of the community. Presiding at the wedding ceremony was Rev. Frederick W. Dietz, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
They became the parents of three children -- Arlyn Frederick Asmus, Dorothy Eileen Stotz and Norma Jean Heilmann. The trio were born in a three-year span between 1924 and 1927.
The Asmuses were longtime farmers. The federal census enumerations of 1920, 1930, 1940 and 1950 all show the couple living in Middleton Township, Wood County, with hired man Charles Keefer residing in the household in 1920.
Circa 1927, Dick joined with Middletown Township trustees Emil Brand and Emil Dauer in "taking up the fight to preserve the Maumee River road to the public," said the Bowling Green Daily Sentinel-Tribune. Other local men "joined so heartily that the road was preseerved. The park system along the Maumee is an indirect result of that fight."
Edna was a homemaker and served in "every church group, club and community organization in town," said the Monroe (MI) Evening News. She belonged to the Ladies Aid Society of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Haskins, Wood County, was a charter member of the Middleton Township Grange, Haskins Garden Club and was part of the extension, the farm bureau and several garden, Bunco and pinochle club activities.
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| Bird's-eye view of Haskins, including horses and buggies |
Census records for 1940 show Dick employed as a road construction supervisor. His employer was the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment during the Great Depression. It is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings.
The Daily Sentinel-Tribune reported in August 1940 that "The Tontogany streets are now completed and we wouldl ike to say for Dick Asmus and his WPA men it is a job to be appreciated and well done. We watched them work all the way from putting in drain tile, grading, curbing and finally putting in the stone, there was apparently a fine cooperation with local officials. The work was well managed."
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| 1986 news story |
Judging from the many gossip column articles in the Bowling Green newspaper, there were many visits with Edna's Miner relatives over the years.
Dick passed away at the age of 66, in Toledo Hospital on May 2, 1954. His obituary in the local newspaper said that Rev. Congrad Buehler led the funeral rites.
Edna outlived her husband by 34 years.
As
she aged, Edna resided with her married daughter Dorothy. Then, in
about 1980, at age 94, she moved to the Lutheran Home in Monroe, MI, where she spent the balance of her long years. Sadly, she outlived two of her three adult offspring.
When she reached her 100th birthday, Edna was profiled in the Evening News. The story went on to say that her back yard was full of flowers and that her favorite flower was the carnation. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting, and baking cherry pies and making homemade chicken noodle soup.
At the age of 102, she passed away in Monroe in December 1988. Her remains were laid to rest next to her husband's in Wakeman Cemetery in Waterville, OH. An obituary in the Bowling Green Sentinel Tribune said she was survived by 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Interment was in Wakeman Cemetery, Waterville, with Rev. Ken Vetter presiding.
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| Edna on her 100th birthday - Courtesy Beverly (Hansen) Miner |
~ Son Arlyn Frederick Asmus ~
Son Arlyn Frederick Asmus (1924-1986) was born on Feb. 2, 1924 in Middleton Township, Wood County. News of his birth was announced in the Bowling Green Daily Sentinel-Tribune.
On June 5, 1946, he tied the marital knot with Joyce E. Peinert (1927- ? ). She was a 1945 graduate of Washington Township High School, and the daughter of Ray W. Peinert of Bowling Green. Their wedding vows were made with Rev. C.W. Heller presiding, conducted in St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Haskins. In announcing the marriage, with newspaper said she "wore a powder blue crepe dress with white accessories. Her corsage was pink and white rose buds."
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Announcement, 1946 Courtesy Beverly (Hansen) Miner |
As of 1950, census records show the Asmuses in Haskins.
He earned a living as a farmer and a plumber-pipefitter for Sanford Plumbing of Perrysburg. He was a board member of the Tontogany Farmers Elevator and held a membership in the United Journeymen Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 50. Arlyn also held a seat on the Tontogany Village Council and was a trustee of Washington Township, Wood County. He belonged to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the Bowling Green Elks Club and the Odd Fellows lodge in Tontogany.
Their address in the mid-1980s was 18582 East North Street, Tontogany.
Sadly, at the age of 62, burdened with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Arlyn suffered a heart attack and died in Wood County Hospital on March 3, 1986. An obituary appeared in the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune. Funeral rites were led by Rev. William Fink in the family church, followed by burial in Tontogany Cemetery.
Joyce outlived her husband by decades. At their 85th birthdays, in 2012, she and friend Howard Williams were pictured in the Sentinel-Tribune, celebrating together at Moser's Village Store.
Daughter Carol L. Asmus (1948- ? ) was born in about 1948. She was a 1965 graduate of Otsego High School and went on to work as office secretary for Henry Manufacturing Company of Bowling Green. Carol first was joined in wedlock on New Year's Eve 1965 with John A. Brown ( ? - ? ). Their wedding ceremony was held in Temperance, MI, led by Rev. Raymond Cox of the Free Methodist Church. John was the son of Maurice Brown of Weston, OH, a 1965 alumnus of Otsego High and employed at the time in a surveying capacity by the County of Wood. Later, she may have been united in matrimony with (?) Carlson. They settled in Orion, IL.
Son Jerry Asmus ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). In August 1967, he was pictured in the Bowling Green Daily Sentinel-Tribune as a member of the board of directors of the Wood County Junior Fair, heading the event's swine department. He married Jill ( ? - ? ). They are the parents of Jessica E. Serrato, Josie Asmus Jones Cupp Cotterman and Joy Askins Holman. As of 1986, their address was 19556 Cross Creek Road near Tontogany. The Asmuses were active with the annual Wood County Fair. The marriage dissolved, with Jerry living in Tontogany and Jill in Bowling Green. Jerry eventually moved to Toledo.
- Granddaughter Jessica E. Asmus ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She is a 1995 graduate of Otsego High School and in young womanhood was employed in the Wood County Juvenile Court. On July 15, 2000, she entered into marriage with Roger Serrato ( ? - ? ), son of Richard and Mary Serrato of Weston, OH. The wedding was led by Pastor John Mawhirter in Zion Lutheran Church in Sandusky. In announcing the union, the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune published the happy couple's wedding portrait. Roger brought a stepson into the union, Codie Serrato. Roger was a 194 alumnus of Otsego High and worked for Blako Industries at the time of marriage. The pair established their residence on Kellogg Road in Grand Rapids, OH. Circa 2007, Jessica was employed as a manicurist with Serenity Spa & Tanning, specializing in acrylic nails, manicures and pedicures.
- Granddaughter Josie Elaine Asmus ( ? - ? ) is a 1988 alumna of Otsego High School. She received a scholarship from the Otsego Educators' Association with plans to attend the University of Toledo and major in education. She appears to have been married twice Her first spouse was Sean M. Jones ( ? - ? ), son of James E. Jones of Bowling Green, and a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. They exchanged vows on Sept. 2, 1989 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Thomas Gorman. The Bowling Green Sentinel Tribune announced the marriage and pictured the beaming couple, saying she "wore a gown with a fitted bodice, appliqued with re-embroidered alencon lace. The sweetheart neckline featured a net inset and lace collar and the lace leg-of-mutton sleeves were trimmed in sequins and pearls. The gathered skirt had a chantilly lace overlay with cathedral-length train and cascading ruffles." The Joneses' marriage only lasted for a short time. As of 1993, Josie was employed with Mid American National Bank. On Nov. 12, 1993, Josie entered into marriage with Thomas K. Cupp ( ? - ? ), son of Gary and Bev Cupp. Their nuptials were conducted at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, by the hand of Rev. John Mawhirter. A 1988 alumnus of Elmwood High School, Thomas earned a living at the time with Bowling Green Beverage. At least one son was born to the Cupp marriage in 1995. In 1997, when Thomas legally changed his surname from "Cupp" to "Cotterman Jr.," she followed suit. The known sons of this marriage are Skyler Cotterman, Jeryd Evan Cupp Cotterman and a son born in 1998. Sadness blanketed the family when son Jeryd died in infancy at St. Luke's Hospital in Maumee on June 10, 1997. She was promoted in 2000 to assistant vice president and sales manager for Mid American's banking center at Village Square. In 2002, she joined Fifth Third Bank as a financial specialist and assistant vice president in Bowling Green.
- Granddaughter Joy Asmus ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She was an alumna of Otsego High School and in 2002 graduated from the University of Toledo with a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy. On Sept. 28, 2002, she entered into the rite of marriage with Brett Askins ( ? - ? ). Their ceremony is believed to have been held at St. Thomas More University Parish in Bowling Green. At the time, Brett was employed in the Wood County Engineer's Office and served with the Ohio National Guard. He was a graduate of Elmwood High School and pursued an associate degree in civil engineering from Owens Community College. Brett was deployed to Afghanistan in his role with the Guard. Their marriage ended in divorce. She again tied the knot with Nathen E. Holman ( ? - ? ). The couple put down roots in Haskins and in more recent years have lived in Perrysburg.
Son Dennis Asmus ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He was an alumnus of Otsego High School. In young manhood he was employed by as a warehouseman by The Andersons in Maumee, OH. On Aug. 16, 1985, in nuptials held in St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Haskins, the 29-year-old Dennis was united in matrimony with 32-year-old Gail Smith ( ? - ? ), daughter of Clare Mills of Bowling Green. Rev. William Fink presided. The happy couple was pictured in the Bowling Green Daily Sentinel-Tribune, which said that she "wore a white gown with lavener trim and a wreath of lavender and white flowers in her hair." Gail was a graduate of Bowling Green High School and and the time of marriage worked as a savings counselor for State Home Savings. The Asmuses dwelled in Bowling Green in 1986. They became the parents of Rachel Mary Asmus.
- Granddaughter Rachel Mary Asmus (1990- ? ) was born in 1990. She was pictured in a birth announcement in the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune. Rachel is a 2008 graduate of Otsego High School and received her bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders in 2013 from Bowling Green State University. She then enrolled in a master's degree program in the same field at the University of Toledo. Circa Aug. 2014, she was joined in wedlock with Nicklaus Eckel ( ? - ? ), son of James and Denise Eckel. Nicklaus was a graduate of Eastwood High School (2008) and Ohio State University (2012) with a bachelor of science degree in crop sciences. He was hired in sales with Pioneer Hi-bred Inc., and also helped with the family farm and coached freshman boy's basketball at Eastwood.
~ Daughter Dorothy Eileen (Asmus) Stotz ~
Daughter Dorothy Eileen Asmus (1925-1999) was born on Dec. 28, 1925.
She was a graduate of Haskins High School, and attended the University of Toledo before grduating from the Toledo Hospital of Nursing
When she was 22 years of age, on Oct. 24, 1948, Dorothy was joined in wedlock with 26-year-old Army veteran Herbert R. Stotz (Aug. 18, 1922-2007). Their nuptials were held in the parsonage of the Lutheran Church of Waterville, OH, by the hand of Rev. Carl Heller.
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News article, 1948 Courtesy Beverly (Hansen) Miner |
Herbert was a 1940 graduate of Ida High School, where he played varsity basketball and honored with an all-star spot on the River Raisin Valley League. Then during World War II, in December 1942, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 23rd Infantry, Company E. He trained as a rifleman and was deployed to the European Theatre, where he took part in combat in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland. In recongition of his service, he was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with three Bronze stars, Good Conduct Ribbon and World War II Victory Medal.
Upon his return home, Herbert labored over the years as a farmer and factory-worker, earning income in the La-Z-Boy furniture manufacturing plant in Monroe, MI, with retirement in 1978. He held a membership in the East Ida Immanuel Lutheran Church and Men's Club and was a leader in the 4-H organization. He also was active with a seat on the Ida Township Planning Commission. When time allowed, Herbert liked to tend his garden and orchard and play cards.
Circa 1954-1988, the Stotzes made their dwelling-place in Ida, MI.
The family was plunged into grief when Dorothy died on Dec. 6, 1999, at the age of 73. Burial was in Ida's Immanuel Cemetery.
Herbert outlived his bride by almost eight years. In Oct. 2002, he was admitted to reside in the Lutheran Home of Monroe, MI. Then as health went into serious decline, he entered Mercy Memorial Hospice. He succumbed to the spectre of death on Aug. 26, 2007, just eight days after his 85th birthday. An obituary in the Toledo Blade said he was survived by 11 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. Funeral services were held in the family church, by the hand of Pastor Bruce Lucas. His remains were laid to rest in the church cemetery.
Son Bradley Stotz lived in Ida in 2007.
Son David Stotz wed Kimberly. The pair put down roots in Ida.
Daughter Barbara Stotz married Dr. Brian Deland. They dwelled in Ida in 2007. Brian is believed to be the son of Dr. Charles W. DeLand, is a 1978 alumnus of Michigan State University and continued his father's veterinary practice in Ida.
Daughter Karen Stotz entered into marriage with Dennis McCartney. As of 2007, they were in Swanton, OH.
~ Daughter Norma Jean (Asmus) Heilmann ~
Daughter Norma Jean Asmus (1927-1970) -- also known as "Normagene" -- was born on Sept. 4, 1927 in Haskins, Wood County.
She was an alumna of Haskins High School and the Warner's Beauty School of Toledo.
On Nov. 30, 1946, she wed 1943 Haskins High graduate Paul W. Heilmann (Sept. 7, 1925-2009), son of John and Ruth (Stebel) Heilmann of Waterville. Their wedding ceremony was held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Haskins, by the hand of Rev. Heller. In a marriage announcement, the Bowling Green Daily Sentinel-Tribune said that the bride "wore a white silk jersey gown made with a round neck and elbow length sleeves. Her fingertip veil of net edged with lace was caught to an orange blossom tiara. She carried an arm bouquet of white carnations and white chrysanthemums tied with white ribbon."
Three children resulted from this union -- Richard W. Heilmann, Paula Jean Heilmann and Amy Heilmann-Rocco.
The Heilmanns were longtime farmers. They dwelled in Waterville, OH in 1954 and in Whitehouse in 1970. In 1959, the Northern Ohio Sugar Company presented him with an award "for producing the highest per acre average yield of sugar" that year, said the Sentinel-Tribune.
The family belonged to the Zion Lutheran Church, Waterville, and she was active with its women's circle. Their postal address in 1970 was 7615 Finzel Road. From 1964 to 1972, including a term as president in 1967, he held a seat on the Anthony Wayne Board of Education.
Sadly, Norma Jean was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She suffered for a decade and was admitted to the Hillcrest Nursing Home in Waterville. She passed away at the age of 43 on Nov. 14, 1970. The Daily Sentinel-Tribune carried an obituary. Rev. Conrad Buehler officiated the funeral service, and burial followed in Wakeman Cemetery. The family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Sunday School Fund of the Zion Lutheran Church.
Paul lived for another 39 years, and married again on Aug. 17, 1974 to Mary L. Allen ( 1930? ). She is believed to have brought six stepchildren into the union -- Charlie Hardson, Ted Szymanski, Sherry Garrison, Dorothy DeLong, Ruth Brown and Pamela Rupp..
He continued to serve as a 4-H advisor in the Anthony Wayne district, belonged to the Ohio Farm Bureau and was president of Whitehouse Grain Elevator. In 2007, the Ohio Future Farmers of America Association gave him an honorary state FFA degree, and the National FFA Alumni Association in 1998 made him a lifetime member. He also was elected to the Anthony Wayne Hall of Fame in 2006.
Death swept him away at the age of 83, at Heartland of Browning in Waterville, on May 8, 2009. In an obituary in which he was pictured, the Sentinel-Tribune said he was survived by 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Pastor Kurt Meyers led the funeral service, with burial following in Highland Memory Gardens, Waterville.
Son Richard W. Heilmann (1947- ? ) was born in about 1947 in Toledo and spent his youth in Whitehouse near Waterville. After high school graduation, he studied agricultural economics at Ohio State University and graduated in 1969. He then accepted a position in or near Findlay, OH with Allied Mills Inc. On June 14, 1969, he entered into marriage with Beth Hansen ( ? - ? ), daughter of Allen T. and Grace Hansen of Airport Highway, Swanton. Presiding was Rev. Conrad J. Buehler of the Zion Lutheran Church of Waterville. The Bowling Green Daily Sentinal-Tribune pictured Beth in a wedding story, saying she "wore a floor-length gown of silk organza over taffeta, with lace and pearls. Lace motifs were appliqued on the skirt and train. Her veil was attached to pearl and silk organza petals." Beth also had attended Ohio State and at the time of marriage was employed in Worthington as a dental assistant. Richard served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. Circa 1970, he was stationed in Ozark, AL and held the rank of lieutenant. Today Richard and Beth dwell in Defiance, OH.
Daughter Paula Jean Heilmann (1949- ? ) was born in 1949 in Toledo. She grew up in Whitehouse near Waterville, Paula became a registered nurse and made her dwelling-place in Toledo in 1970. The day after Christmas 1970, in Toledo, she entered into marriage with Paul Robert Garrett Jr. (1947- ? ), son of Paul Robert and Lois (Schooley) Garrett Sr. Rev. Conrad J. Buehler officiated their ceremony, conducted in the Zion Lutheran Church of Waterville. Paul was a 1965 graduate of East Palestine High School and a 1969 alumnus of Case Western Reserve University. At the time of marriage he resided in Perrysburg and was a medical student at the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. He graduated in June 1972 and began serving an internship at Emery University in Atlanta. By 2003, she tied the marital cord with F. Timothy Collins ( ? - ? ) of Hawkinsville, GA and the son of William Thomas and Dorothy R. "Miss Dot" (Richardson) Collins. The Collinses have made their lives together in Chattanooga, TN. Research is underway to determine whether Tim played linebacker for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Moccasins, gained All-America honors twice and briefly was on the Philadelphia Eagles squad in 1977.
Daughter Amy Heilmann ( ? - ? ) grew up in Whitehouse, OH. Evidence suggests that she put down roots in Newark, OH and by 1994 had wed Dr. Henry D. "Hank" Rocco, MSc, MD ( ? - ? ). He had been married previously and brought six stepchildren into the second union -- Cendrene Neil, Dana John Rocco, Lisette Summers, Courtland Rocco, Chauntelle Rocco and Carisa Buckley. Amy pursued a career as an occupational therapist. She was employed by Newark Outpatient Rehabilitative Services Inc. and made public presentations to such groups as the Arthritis Foundation. In 1996, she was reappointed to a seat on the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board for a three-year term. Henry was an orthopedic surgeon with a practice based in Newark. He owned Newarl Orthopaedics Inc. and the Olympic Academy of Gymnastics Inc. Circa 1981, he was elected chairman of the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee of the U.S. Association of Independent Gymnastic Clubs. In more recent years, they have dwelled in Waterville and Columbus, OH.
Copyright © 2002, 2006, 2010, 2023 Mark A. Miner