UPDATED: Ohio City Woman Dies After A Downed Tree Landed On Her, Area Hit By Severe Storms

(7-22-23) UPDATED: Betty Sidle (85) was first sent to to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital in critical condition. She was then transferred via medical helicopter to a Fort Wayne hospital where she passed away to her injuries early Friday morning. Her husband, Bart Sidle, was not injured.

Obituary

Betty L. Sidle, 85, of Ohio City passed away unexpectedly from a accident on Friday, July 21, 2023. She was born on September 4, 1937 in Rockford, Ohio to the late Raymond G. “Duke” Eichar and Myra E. (Ponstler) Eichar. On October 21, 1955 Betty married David Wesley Doan who preceded her in death on December 13, 1987, she then married Bart H. Sidle on May 20, 1990 and he survives in Ohio City.

Other family survivors include her four children, Vicki (Garry) Bidlack of Van Wert, Cindy Schaffner of Ohio City, Deb (Mark) Keber of Ohio City, Susie (Terry) Jackson of Ohio City; two step-children, Donald Bickle of Rockford and Chris (Michele) Bickle of Rockford; thirteen grandchildren, Shay (Devin) Sheets,  Brandon Breese (Heather Klausing), Missy (Mark) Zielke, Anne (Mike) Myers, Bret (Trinda) Keber, Corey (Taylor) Keber, Leslie (Tyson) Bailey, Meggie Knecht, T. J. Jackson,  Jr., Alix Ebel,  Darcy Vaske, Wes (Ann) Vaske and Cole (Keeley) Welker; one step-grandchild, Ryan (Brittany) Bickle; 35 great grandchildren.

Betty was a 1955 graduate of Rockford High School and was a member of the Ohio City United Methodist Church. She retired in 2000 from the former Huffy’s Bicycle Plant, Celina after 26 years.
She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Bill Eichar and Bobby Eichar; one step granddaughter, Alexis “Lexi” Teresa Bickle.

Calling hours will be held from 2:00 p.m.– 7:00 pm on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Cowan and Son Funeral Home, Van Wert.  Funeral services will be on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Gary Ginter officiating.  Betty will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Ohio City Fire & EMS Department or the Ohio City United Methodist Church.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.

(7-21-23) UPDATED: No other details but is has been confirmed that the victim of the storm has passed away.

Will update this story…

(7-20-23) An Ohio City woman suffered critical injuries Thursday evening after winds estimated to be around 70mph downed a tree into her home at Hoffman St. and State St. and trapped her. She was airlifted to an area hospital. Another person had minor injuries from the accident.

National Weather Service radar shows the storm approaching the area.

[6:00PM] Strong to severe storms approaching the NWS Wilmington area. These storms have a history of damaging wind. Main area of concern over the next hour is from Piqua to Delaware and points north. pic.twitter.com/Eg8AlsE8PW

— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) July 20, 2023

An Ohio EMT said that her grandparents were sitting on their back porch when the storm hit and the tree fell down leaving the grandmother trapped.

Van Wert County Emergency Management issued an update just before the storm hit….Update Severe Thunderstorm Warning extended to 6:45pm for damaging winds & hail

Besides Van Wert County, Mercer County and Auglaize County had severe storms passed through the area. including possible funnel clouds being sited in Wapakoneta.

Will update the story when we have that information.