LaDonna J. Schmachtenberger
Age 87, of Minerva, died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 in Aultman Hospital. She was born Feb. 26, 1929 in Moultrie to Victor and Ethel (French) Bates. She was a homemaker and co-owner of Schmachtenberger Farms. She is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in New Franklin, board member of Minerva Community Meals where she had been a volunteer and former President. She graduated from Minerva High School and attended nursing school.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, John Schmachtenberger whom she married Oct. 2, 1949, 2 daughters, Cindy (Dan) Draher of Erie, PA, Joyce Steiger of Alliance, 3 sons, Tom Schmachtenberger of Alliance, Al Schmachtenberger of East Rochester, Roger (Sherry) Schmachtenberger of Alliance, sister, Miriam (Bill) Barker of Deleware, OH, 2 brothers, Harold (Juanita) Bates of Minerva, George Bates of Grafton, sister-in-law, Elenor Bates of Lisbon, 8 grandchildren, Remlee (Eric) Zeiser, Colby (Zeke) Draher, Sarah (Luke) Kapper, Shelly (Carson) Stone, Sally Schmachtenberger, Lee Steiger, Karen (Brian) Moff, and Erica Steiger, 4 great grandchildren, Eli Zeiser, Benjamin Zeiser, Kennedy Waugaman and David Moff. She is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Bart Steiger and a brother, Fred Bates.
Funeral services will be Friday at 11:00 am in St. John's Lutheran Church in New Franklin with Rev. Joseph Ertl officiating. Burial will be in Moultrie Chapel Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday 6-8 pm in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva. Memorial contributions may be made to the Minerva Community Meals c/o 204 Edgewood Dr., Minerva, OH 44657.