New Bremen is a tight-knit place. Honestly, when someone passes away here, it isn’t just a private family matter; it’s something the whole community feels. That’s probably why Gilberg Hartwig funeral home obituaries are more than just a list of dates and survivors. They serve as a local record of lives lived in Auglaize County, often stretching back nearly a century. If you’ve ever sat at a kitchen table in New Knoxville or St. Marys, you know how these stories weave the town together.
The funeral home itself has been sitting at 225 W. Monroe Street for a long time. In fact, 2024 marked their 95th year in business. That kind of longevity matters. It means when you read an obituary from them, the directors often knew the person's parents, or maybe even their grandparents.
Looking for Gilberg Hartwig Funeral Home Obituaries
Finding a specific notice isn't exactly rocket science, but there are a few ways people usually go about it. Most folks head straight to the official website. It’s the most direct route. They keep a pretty clean archive there. You can search by name, which is helpful if you’re looking for someone who passed a few years back.
But sometimes, you want that "old school" feel. The Lima News and The Evening Leader are the big ones that carry these notices in print. There’s something about seeing a name in the paper that feels more official to the older generation in town. You’ll also see them pop up on Legacy.com.
- The Website: gilberghartwigfh.com is the primary hub.
- Local Papers: The Lima News and The Evening Leader.
- Social Media: Sometimes families share the direct links on Facebook to get the word out to friends who moved away.
A History Rooted in the Community
This place didn't always have the name it has now. It started back in 1929. Over the decades, it evolved from Gilberg & Hegemier to just Gilberg Funeral Home, and eventually to Gilberg-Hartwig. This kind of name-changing is common in the industry as different families partner up or take over the reigns.
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John P. Gilberg and Steven J. Hartwig are the names you'll see most associated with the leadership. They’ve seen a lot of changes in how we say goodbye. It used to be all traditional viewings and big church services at places like St. Paul United Church of Christ. Now? It’s a mix. You might see a "Blue Christmas" remembrance service or a more casual celebration of life.
Why These Obituaries Feel Different
I’ve noticed that obituaries from this specific home tend to be deeply personal. They don’t just say "he liked fishing." They might mention he was a regular at the local coffee shop or that she never missed a New Bremen High School football game.
Take the recent notice for Beatrice Ann Young, who passed away in early 2026. Her obituary didn't just list her education at Colorado State; it talked about her life in Valdez, Alaska, and her talent for making "gourmet meals from random items in a pantry." It’s those tiny details that make you feel like you actually knew her, even if you just passed her on the street once.
Then there was Helen Tangeman, who lived to be 103. When you read a notice for someone who lived through a century of New Bremen history, the obituary becomes a history lesson. It mentions marriages from the 1940s and decades of service at the local hospital.
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The Logistics: What You Need to Know
If you're actually in the position of needing to write one of these for a loved one, the staff there—Steven Hartwig, John Gilberg, and their team—basically walk you through it. It can be overwhelming. You're grieving, and suddenly you have to remember what year your uncle graduated or exactly how many great-grandchildren there are.
Common elements they include:
- Full Name and Age: Usually the first thing you see.
- Date and Time of Passing: Often includes the location, like JTDM Hospital in St. Marys.
- Life Story: Birth date, parents' names, and where they went to school.
- The "Dash": This is the meat of it—the career, the hobbies, the church involvement.
- Service Details: When the visitation is and where the burial will be.
- Memorials: Where the family wants donations sent, like Grand Lake Hospice or local churches.
Navigating the Grief Support
One thing people kinda forget is that the obituary is just the start. Gilberg-Hartwig offers a lot of "aftercare." They have resources for grief counseling because, let’s be real, the hard part starts after the funeral is over and everyone goes home.
They also do pre-planning. Some people like to write their own obituaries ahead of time. It sounds a bit morbid, but it actually saves the family a massive headache later. You get to control your own narrative. If you want to be remembered for your prize-winning roses rather than your 40 years in accounting, that’s your call.
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The Digital Shift in New Bremen
Even in a traditional town, things are moving online. You can now leave virtual "candles" or messages in a guestbook on their site. It’s a way for people who moved to Florida or Arizona to still pay their respects. For example, in the guestbook for Beatrice Young, people from all over were sharing memories of her "mischievous eyes" and "joyous laugh."
These digital footprints are becoming the new family scrapbooks. Instead of clipping a yellowing piece of newsprint, people are bookmarking links.
Actionable Steps for Families
If you are looking for information or preparing to honor a loved one through Gilberg-Hartwig, here is the most practical way to handle it:
- Check the Archive First: If you are looking for an older obituary, use the search function on the Gilberg-Hartwig website. It’s faster than digging through newspaper archives.
- Gather the Facts: If you’re writing a notice, start a list of the "must-haves": birth date, marriage date, names of siblings (and their spouses), and a list of grandchildren.
- Focus on the "Why": Don't just list jobs. Think about what made the person light up. Was it their garden? Their dog? Their secret recipe for potato salad? Those are the things people remember.
- Contact Early: If a death has occurred, call 419-629-2147. They are available 24/7.
- Direct Memorials Wisely: If the deceased had a favorite local spot—like the New Bremen Public Library or a specific park—make sure that’s clearly listed for donations.
The reality is that Gilberg Hartwig funeral home obituaries are a vital part of the fabric of this community. They remind us that every person walking down Washington Street has a story worth telling. Whether it’s a quiet life of 100 years or a shorter one that left a big impact, these records ensure those stories aren't forgotten by the next generation of New Bremen residents.