Losing someone is heavy. It's a weight that doesn't just sit on your chest; it reshapes the way you look at the world for a while. When you're in the middle of that fog, trying to find a specific notice or figuring out how to tell the world about your loved one, the last thing you want is a complicated website or a "dead end" search.
Love-Heitmeyer funeral home obituaries are a primary resource for families in Northwest Ohio—specifically Putnam and Paulding counties. People search for these records for all sorts of reasons. Maybe you need the service time for a friend in Ottawa, or perhaps you’re doing genealogy and looking for a distant relative from Leipsic.
The process is actually more straightforward than people think, but there are a few quirks about how their records are organized online that can trip you up.
Finding the Recent Notices
Honestly, the most common mistake is looking in the wrong place. Love-Heitmeyer operates several locations under slightly different names depending on the town. You've got the main office in Ottawa, but then there are branches in Leipsic, Continental, Oakwood, and the Jackson Township location in Fort Jennings.
If you go to their main site, you’ll find the "Current Obituaries" section right on the homepage. As of early 2026, recent entries include names like Barbara L. Bidlack from Continental and Anne Heitmeyer from Columbus Grove.
They usually post within 24 to 48 hours of a passing.
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Why the Location Matters
Since they serve such a wide, rural area, the "location" listed on the obituary usually refers to where the person lived or where the service is being held. For example, Paul N. Schroeder's recent notice lists New Bavaria, even though the Love-Heitmeyer team handled the arrangements.
- Ottawa (Main Office): 405 E. Third St.
- Leipsic: 226 N. Belmore St.
- Continental: 207 W. Rice St.
- Jackson Township: 16085 St. Rt. 634, Fort Jennings.
If you’re driving in for a service, double-check which building the visitation is in. Don't just "show up" in Ottawa. People do that. It's a long drive to Continental if you're at the wrong spot.
How to Actually Use the Tribute Wall
When you find the obituary you're looking for, you’ll see a "Tribute Wall." This is where the human stuff happens.
Most people just read the text and leave. But you can actually interact with these pages. You can light a virtual candle, upload a photo, or share a specific memory. It's not just "digital clutter." For the family, reading a story about how their dad once helped a neighbor fix a tractor in 1984 is worth more than a dozen store-bought flower arrangements.
Expert Tip: If you're looking for an older obituary—say, from five or ten years ago—the Love-Heitmeyer site still keeps many of these active. If it's not there, sites like Legacy.com or the Putnam County Sentinel archives are your next best bet.
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Writing an Obituary That Doesn't Sound Like a Form
If you’re the one tasked with writing, it's easy to feel paralyzed. You've got to summarize a whole life in 400 words.
The funeral home directors, like Jeff Heitmeyer, usually help with the basic facts—birth dates, survivors, service times. But the "heart" of the obituary should come from you.
Don't just list memberships. Tell us that James "Jim" Bibler was a "courageous battle" survivor or that Lola Hacker loved her eight great-grandchildren and her Kentucky roots. Those small details make the person real to those who didn't know them well.
Information You’ll Need Ready
Basically, you need a "cheat sheet" before you meet with the director:
- Full legal name and any nicknames.
- Parents’ names (including mother's maiden name).
- Education history and military service (have the DD214 form if applicable).
- A list of "preceded in death by" and "survived by."
The "Online Only" Misconception
Some people think that if an obituary is on the Love-Heitmeyer website, it’s automatically in the newspaper.
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That’s not how it works.
The funeral home will submit it for you, but newspapers like the Putnam County Sentinel or the Lima News charge their own fees. You have to tell the director specifically which papers you want. If you’re on a budget, the website obituary is often free or included in the service package, and it can be shared on Facebook or via email easily.
Dealing With the "Digital Legacy"
One thing most people ignore is what happens to these pages years down the road. Love-Heitmeyer uses a platform that allows for "Daily Grief Support" emails. If you’re the primary contact, you can sign up for these on the obituary page. It’s a small thing, but sometimes getting a note in your inbox every morning for a year helps the isolation feel a bit less sharp.
Also, be aware of "obituary pirates." These are third-party websites that scrape information from funeral home sites to sell flowers or collect data. Always stick to the official https://www.google.com/search?q=loveheitmeyer.com or lovefuneralhome.com links to ensure you’re seeing the accurate, family-approved version of the story.
Actionable Steps for Using Love-Heitmeyer Records
If you are looking for information right now, here is what you should do:
- Check the Official Site First: Use the "Obituaries" tab on the main Love-Heitmeyer website for the most accurate service times.
- Sign up for Alerts: There is a mailing list option on their site. If you have an aging community or a large extended family in the Putnam area, this is the best way to stay informed without checking the paper every day.
- Verify the Location: Check if the service is at the funeral home, a local church (like Immaculate Conception in Ottoville), or a graveside service.
- Prepare Your Memories: If you plan to post on the Tribute Wall, write it in a Word document first. It helps you catch typos and ensures your sentiment is exactly what you want it to be before it's public forever.
- Contact for Records: If you need a certified death certificate for insurance, don't look for it online. Call the main Ottawa office at 419-523-6586. They handle the legal paperwork that obituaries don't cover.
Obituaries are more than just a notice of death. They are a community's way of saying "this person mattered." Whether you're searching for Love-Heitmeyer funeral home obituaries to pay your respects or to document your family history, these records serve as the final, public chapter of a life lived in the heart of Ohio.