Richard “Dick” Lawrence Besancon – August 26, 1961 – September 7, 2024

Richard “Dick” Lawrence Besancon, 89, of Wooster died on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

He was born January 29, 1935 in Wooster to Francis and Laura Pailliotet Besancon. On August 26, 1961, he married Lea Ann Smith. She survives.

Dick had been a lifelong dairy farmer and had also transported the Amish for many years. He was a member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church and served his country in the U.S. Army as part of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Along with his wife, Dick is survived by his children Bill (Sandy) Besancon of Wooster, Michele (Tim) Koch of Orrville, Dan (Tonya) Besancon of Wooster, Frank (Julie) Besancon of Smithville, Brent (Karrie) Besancon of Smithville and Burney Besancon of Orrville; 18 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Gabe Koch and siblings Adrian Besancon, Eileen Nicholas, Vincent Besancon, Raymond Besancon, Beatrice Garver, Ron Besancon, Mary Jane Tope and infant siblings Joseph Besancon and Bernadette Besancon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster with Rev. Stephen Moran as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

Friends will be received on Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 3:00-6:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be directed to St. Mary School, P.O. Box 109 Wooster, OH 44691 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com

Applications are OPEN for the Distinguished Junior Member & Young Distinguished Junior Member Awards! 🐄🏅

🔹 Distinguished Junior Member: This award honors outstanding individuals aged 17-21 who have made significant contributions to Holstein activities at the local and state levels and are excelling in their career development.

🔸 Young Distinguished Junior Member: This award celebrates exceptional youth aged 9-16 for their leadership, achievements, and community involvement.

DJM and YDJM honorees will be recognized at the 2025 National Holstein Convention in St. Louis, Missouri.

Click the link below to view the application and apply now!

http://www.holsteinusa.com/juniors/content/DJM.html

Ohio Holstein Fall Production Sale – Friday, November 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

at the Wain Neuenschwander Farm, 2220 Good Road, Orrville, OH 44667

Selections to be finalized before September 30, 2024

Cattle Need to arrive on Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Loose house sale

15% commission

Looking for 30-35 milk cows and 30-35 bred heifers and springers. Group lots are an option, talk to a sale committee member for more details.

All animals need to have their reproduction status listed on the health paper. Bird Flu tests required on any animals over a year old.

ROBERT J. “Bob” BALLWEG, age 93,
Of Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen, and formerly of New Knoxville, died on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 11:55 A.M. at the St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima. He was born on September 19, 1930 in Fryburg, the son of the late Edward P. and Minnie V. (Townsend) Ballweg. On November 17, 1956, he married Esther C. Wenning who survives in New Bremen. Together they shared 67 wonderful years. Also left to cherish his memory are his children: David (Cindy) Ballewg of New Knoxville, Debra Ballweg of Las Vegas, NV, and Douglas Ballweg of New Knoxville; his three grandsons: Greg Ballweg, Quincy (Tiffany) Ballweg, and Brandon (Katie) Ballweg; as well as his five great-grandchildren: Skyler, Myra, Kailyn, Bentley, and Andrea. Robert also leaves behind a brother Eugene (Jane) Ballweg of Chickasaw. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Lahoma (Leroy) Egbert, Treva (Tony) Pietrzak, Melba (Aloysius) Tangeman, and Cletus (Pauline) Ballweg.

Bob had attended New Knoxville Schools, and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Botkins. He was a hard-working, “workaholic” dairy farmer for his entire life, and was proud of his registered Holstein cows on his family farm, Ballweg Farms. As a member of the Auglaize Farm Bureau, the National Holstein Association and the Ohio Holstein Association, the farm won multiple awards over the years including several awards for high yields in milk production. Bob was also an engineer of sorts – designing, welding, and building much of his own equipment and machinery on the farm over the years. Outside of farming, Bob enjoyed riding his motorcycle when he was younger, and took up walking and bike riding in later years. He also enjoyed when the family was all together at the farm for family gatherings and he and Esther took several cruises and trips to Las Vegas. The highlight of Bob’s “retirement” at age 70, was designing and building his own ultralight plane with the help of his family, and he loved to spend time flying around the area.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Botkins, with Rev. Fr. Michael Willig officiating. Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Botkins. Calling Hours will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and again on Tuesday, at the funeral home, prior to the Mass from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. (Handicap parking and an entrance with no steps is available on the South side of the building). Memorial contributions in memory of Bob can be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (116 N. Mill Street, Botkins, Ohio 45306). Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family on the funeral home website: http://www.gilberghartwigfh.com.

Meet Regional Sales Representative Lauren Almasy! Since February 2023, Lauren has been passionate about supporting our members and their farms. 🐄📊

Her favorite Holstein USA program is the classification program, a key tool for farmers to assess their herds and make informed decisions about their operations.

She also loves working directly with members, learning about their farms’ histories, and understanding their future goals. 🌾🚜

Click below to connect with your Regional Sales Representative and find out how Holstein USA can support your farm’s success! 🌐⬇

http://www.holsteinusa.com/programs_services/reg_reps.html

Howard R. Bickel, age 89, of New Vienna, passed away Friday, August 2, 2024, at the Highland District Hospital in Hillsboro, Ohio.  He was born June 11, 1935, in Cincinnati, the son of the late Virgil C. and Edna (Baumann) Bickel, Sr.  Howard grew up near Marathon, Ohio, and graduated from Batavia High School.  After graduating, Howard served our country as a member of the United States Army.  After his service in the Army, he began his lifelong work starting his own dairy farm, along with starting his family.  In 1963, Howard moved his family to Clinton County and started the Bickel Family dairy farm, which is still in operation today.   Howard’s passion was farming and making sure that his farm was successful.  He was a 50-year member of the National Holstein Association, member of the National Famers Organization, and the Ohio Farmers Union.  Howard is survived by four children, Raymond Bickel of New Vienna, Donald (Jackie) Bickel of New Vienna, Kimberly (Richard) Burton of Wilmington, and Todd Bickel of New Vienna; great nephew who was raised like a son, Guy (Yvonne) Cutler, D.V.M. of Horseheads, New York; grandchildren, Curtis Bickel of Wilmington, Keri (Alex) Hodson of New Vienna, Carson Bickel of New Vienna, Emma Mathews of New Vienna, Maggie Mathews of New Vienna, Erica (Danny) Unger of Loveland, Travis Burton of Wilmington, Logan (Bridgette) Burton of Wilmington, and Paige (Ryan) Evans of Wilmington; great grandchildren, Kannon Bickel, Cole Hodson, Clay Hodson, Brooklyn Unger, Breck Unger, and Hadley Evans; lifelong friend and “Army Buddy” Paul Esz of Milford, Ohio; and several friends within the farming community.  In addition to his parents, Howard is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, JoAnn (Boner) Bickel on January 29, 2005; and two brothers, Virgil Bickel, Jr., and Eugene Bickel.  Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Brown Funeral Home, Wilmington.  Graveside committal services and burial beside his wife will follow in the New Antioch Cemetery, New Antioch, Ohio.  Visitation will be held Tuesday, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  The Bickel Family asks that Memorial Contributions be made to the Clinton County Farmers Union, c\o 5/3 Bank. To leave an on-line condolence, please visit www.arehart-brown.com, or see our Facebook page, Brown Funeral Home. 

MARVIN LEE TOPP, age 82

of New Bremen, died on Monday, July 29, 2024 at 7:11 A.M. at the Otterbein Senior Lifestyles of St. Marys. He was born on June 24, 1942 in New Bremen, the son of the late Walter H. and Angela C. (Berning) Topp. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda L. (Place) Topp, whom he married on November 23, 1961. Also surviving are his children: Kelli (Doug) Walker of Pataskala, Ohio, Gregg (Angie) Topp of New Bremen, Kurt (Rachel) Topp of West Salem, Ohio, and JuliAnne (Wes) Wyatt of New Bremen. Marvin has twelve grandchildren: Tyler (Catherine) Topp, Tessa (Seth) Hauts, Tanner (Shannon) Topp, Brennan Topp, Mick (Audri) Walker, Marissa Topp, Aaron Topp, Carson Wyatt, Casey Topp, Xavier Wyatt, Logan Topp, and Anna Topp, as well as nine great-grandchildren. Marvin is also survived by his siblings: Martha (Paul) Ewing, Doris Carr, and Thomas Topp; and his in-laws: Mary Lou Topp, and Tim (Kathy) Place. Along with his parents, Marvin was preceded in death by his brothers: Herbert (Helen) Topp and Donald Topp; his father in-law and mother in-law, Ira and Marjorie (Shappel) Place; and his in-laws: Jerry Carr, Jay (Sue) Hixenbaugh.

Marvin was a 1960 graduate of New Bremen High School. He loved his family, farming, showing his registered Holstein cattle from Toppation Farm, and playing music with “The Moonlighters” wedding band. He began playing drums at the age of 14 with his dad, brothers, and sisters in the “Topp Band” which eventually merged into the “Dicke Band,” then into “The Moonlighters,” playing music for a total of 62 years. He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen where he sang in the church choir for many years. Marvin was affiliated with several associations over the years including: Buckeye Hustlers 4-H Club (where he had served as an advisor), the Farm Bureau Council for 50 years, the NOBA Board of Directors, the Ohio Holstein Association, and the National Holstein Association. Marvin and Linda enjoyed sporting events and many wonderful road trips with their New Bremen gang, and they also loved attending many of their grandchildren’s events from wresting to football and dance recitals to band concerts. According to one of his nieces, Marv was “a special one.”

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at the St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen with Pastor Bryan Trego officiating. Following the service, there will be a Celebration of Life at Speedway Lanes in New Bremen where a meal will be served. Private family inurnment will take place in the German Protestant Cemetery in New Bremen. Memorial contributions in memory of Marv may be made to the Cardinal Music Boosters or to St. Paul Church. Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared with the Topp family online at http://www.gilberghartwigfh.com.

Follow along with the Junior Holstein and Junior Red and White shows at the Ohio State Fair with their show books – HO Junior Final        RW Junior Final

Both shows will start with cows, the black and white’s begin at 9:00 a.m. and the red and white’s starting their show at 1:00 p.m.

The Junior Holstein show will be judged by Kaleb Kruse, IA and the Junior Red and White show will be sorted by Madison Fisher, PA.

Both shows will have complete show coverage at Dairy Agenda Today curtesy of generous sponsors.

The District 7 show is being held in conjunction with the Wayne County Fair Open Holstein show on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Wayne County Fair entries open on July 22 and close August 10.  Make fair entries as usual to be included in the D7 show.

Click HERE for the Wayne County Fair Premium Book.

Juniors who wish to qualify for awards during this show must be paid Ohio Holstein junior members.  If not already a member, you may pay $2.00 prior to the show to qualify.