Obituaries

Oct 15, 2020

Grace Ajemian-Kishishian 91, passed away on October 15, 2020 at Lewis Center, Ohio. She was the wife of John Kishishian, mother of Virginia, Linda, Gloria, Michael and John, mother-in-law of Mark Detwiler and Vahe Manoukian, and grandmother of Christian, Nicholas & Alyssa. She was married to her beloved husband John for 56 years.

Grace was born in...

Oct 14, 2020

Michael J. Geus, born July 28, 1958 in Columbus, Ohio passed away on October 14, 2020 in his home. He was 62. Predeceased by parents Donn and Phyllis Geus,  step father , John Williams and sister Brenda Wilson. Survived by his longtime loving girlfriend of 11 years, Linda Keith from Upper Arlington, Ohio, Best friends Sam Gabriel, fiancee' Valerie...

Oct 13, 2020

David Strause was a dreamer. While his heart beat with a sentimental love for the past, he was always looking forward to the future and trying hard to bend it to his will. In what many might see as a Quixotic endeavor -  yet was a spiritual necessity to him - David was hoping to provide the Columbus jazz...

Oct 13, 2020

Watkins

Mackey Ray Watkins, age 66, Sunrise August 19, 1954, to Sunset October 13, 2020. Survived by wife Tonia Watkins Hamilton; children Evangelist Janet (Elder John) Darden, Mack Ray Watkins, Jr., Matthew 'Chew' Hamilton and Jaleesa Watkins. Many grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; loving siblings and their families, including a host of nieces and nephews. Numerous close friends. A...

Oct 13, 2020

Aaron P. Raita died peacefully in Columbus, Ohio on October 13, 2020 after a short illness. Aaron was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 4, 1922 to Kate (nee Gangler) and John Raita Sr. Growing up during the Great Depression, times were tough during his early life. Aaron enlisted in the Army and served in the 14th Armored Division...

Oct 11, 2020

MarySue Helstern Rosenberger, registered nurse, author, ordained minister, and chaplain, died at home in Westerville, Ohio, on Sunday, October 11, following a lengthy illness with pulmonary fibrosis.

Born on March 10, 1940 in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Russell and Vinna Bowers Helstern, she lived her childhood years in a rural location outside of Brookville, Ohio.

Oct 11, 2020

Marguerite “Sue” Mercurio (nee Kaylor), born January 14, 1934 in Columbus, died peacefully at home in Westerville, Ohio on October 11, 2020 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.  Preceded in death by her husband of 23 years, Dick Mercurio, her son, Marc, a brother, Jim Kaylor, and parents. Sue is survived by her loving son Rick Mercurio (Sally...

Oct 10, 2020

Dr. Frank Lawrence Himes passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 10, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio, due to pneumonia brought on from myasthenia gravis.

He was born on July 30, 1927, to Ralph and Mary (Herr) Himes on the home farm in Montgomery County, Indiana. He attended New Market schools from first through 12th grade, received...

Oct 10, 2020

Jeffrey Lynn Wilson of Columbus, Ohio passed away October 10, 2020 at the age of 71 after a 2-year battle with cancer. He served as a Lieutenant in the US Air Force. Graduated from the Ohio State University with an advanced degree in Public Administration. Began his career as an investigator with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission in Columbus....

Oct 9, 2020

Ray Lewis Defenbaugh, 85, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, October 9, 2020. He was surrounded by his family and pets including Benny, Leo and Mako his trusted loyal guard cats. He was born the second of four children of on August 5, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio to parents Grover and Helen (Fauble) Defenbaugh.

Ray...

Oct 8, 2020

Stephen Wayne Bernsdorf of Lewis Center, Ohio, passed away on October 8th, 2020 with his wife Bette by his side. Born on September 29th, 1949 to parents Paul and Marilyn Bernsdorf, Steve was a life-long resident of central Ohio. He graduated from Linden McKinley High School and went on to serve his country in the United States Army Reserve...

Oct 8, 2020

Amy Beth Parker DeLorenzo

On Thursday, October 8, 2020 Amy Parker DeLorenzo, 49, departed this world, leaving an unforgettable legacy. Amy was a powerful community organizer and activist for queer liberation, anticapitalism, disability justice, prison abolition, and self-determination for people of all genders. Everyone who encountered Amy can attest to her indomitable, rebellious, empathetic, and generous soul....

Oct 7, 2020

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, Eleanor Marie Turley, loving mother, grandmother and sister, passed away at the age of 84.

Eleanor was born on June 27th, 1936 in Columbus, Ohio to Cardie and Dorothy Foster. She was a school teacher and was loved by many.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her father Cardie, her mother Dorothy,...

Oct 7, 2020

Marcy (Cooper) Carter of Westerville, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, the same day as her mother's birthday. She was born in West Virginia on January 12, 1947, to the late Harding Cooper and Helen (Huchok) Cooper. Marcy graduated from Gahanna Lincoln High School and then from Capital University in 1968. She taught Spanish in the Columbus City...

Oct 6, 2020

Brittany Ann Bennett, age 29, of Columbus Ohio passed away peacefully on October 6, 2020 with her mother Tonya (Bennett )Garcia by her side. She is survived by sons Mikas Knetter, Jace Dawson, Jeremiah Dawson; sisters Tiffany (Wine) Barry, Heather (Wine) Nash and Katelyn Wine; brother Donald Wine Jr.; mother Tonya (Bennett) Garcia; stepfather Luis Garcia; father Donald Wine; grandfather Jerry Wine; grandmother Pamela Perry. Plus...

Oct 5, 2020

Leona Lee Marra passed away on October 5, 2020 in Hilliard, Ohio. She was born in Summitville, Ohio on November 22, 1923, to Peter F. and Jenny Sica Marra. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sibling and her brother, Peter Jr. She is survived by her three sisters: Alba Tolini, Joanne Brown, and Gloria Hart;...

Oct 3, 2020

Pearl Bell, age 66, died unexpectedly on October 3, 2020, at Select Specialty Hospital. She was born March 22, 1954 in West Memphis, Arkansas the daughter of Ester Bell and Louise Gates (Driskell).

Pearl was the sweetest lady of all time. She was a High School graduate and attended some college. She had certificates in Cosmetology and...

Oct 2, 2020

Robert Henry Thompson, age 89 passed away in the arms of his heavenly Father on October 2nd, 2020.  He was born on February 27th, 1931 in Columbus, Ohio. He was a resident of Dublin Assisted Living, Dublin, Ohio.  Predeceased by parents Donald Andrew Thompson, and Mary Agnes Gehring Thompson.  He proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Corporal,...

Oct 2, 2020

Gloria Rita Jones, age 89, was a God-fearing woman who passed away peacefully on October 2, 2020 at Grant Memorial Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Gloria was born on December 5, 1930 in Georgetown, Guyana to parents Claude Stairs and Alma Henderson. She moved to America in 1995.  After spending some time in Maryland she moved to Ohio and later...

Oct 1, 2020

Barbara Balaski, age 77, passed away Thursday October 1, 2020 at Riverside Hospital. She lived in Columbus, Oh and was originally from Canton, OH. She was patiently waiting to be united with the Lord in heaven and to reunite with her parents, Zigmund Balaski and Elizabeth (Roman) and her brother Marc Balaski. She is survived by her brother Zigmund...