(11-2-23) A Van Wert County Grand Jury has indicted Ryan Houser (38) of Rockford on murder charges in the September shooting death of Barbara Ganger (43) in Van Wert. Houser faces charges of aggravated murder, possessing a weapon under disability and tampering with evidence. Ganger was found dead at the Van Wert West Apartments by police who were called for a welfare check.
Houser is currently in the Mercer County Adult Detention Center on unrelated 3rd degree felony charge of Having Weapons While Under Disability/drug related conviction. Houser is scheduled to appear in Mercer County Common Pleas Court on December 5th. After this hearing he will go back to Van Wert County for a hearing.
Obituary
Barbara Normajean “Barbie” Daisy, age 43, passed away Monday, September 4, 2023, at her home in Van Wert.
She was born December 12, 1979, in Greenville, to Richard and Rosie (Lange) Beougher. Her father, mother, and step-father, Ted Steffen, are deceased.
Barbie is survived by her children: Angel (Matt) Belanger, Brandon Ganger and Colin Ganger of Middle Point, and Dakota Ganger of Rockford, step-children: Corey Weis, Christina Stevens and Daniel Ganger, grandchildren: Leondre and Maci, and step-grandchildren: Landon, Logan and Madison. Also surviving is her sister, Diane Ginter of Convoy, brother, James Beougher, nieces, nephews, and a large extended family.
She was preceded in death by an uncle, Dick Lange, aunt, Sharon Hicks, and a nephew, Jesse Lange.
Barbie had attended Jay County High School in Portland, and worked at the Fremont Company in Rockford.
She loved her family, and they were her motivation to turn her life around. Barbie had a sweet disposition and the voice of an angel. She would do anything for anyone, including giving away her last dollar, if necessary.
Barbie enjoyed cooking, especially “Hobo Stew”. She was involved with a sobriety support group to help others succeed. Barbie especially loved spending time with her grandkids.
Mercer County Outlook 