Westerville Obituaries - April 5, 2026
Essam Azmi Mikhail
August 16, 1959 – March 30, 2026
Essam Azmi Mikhail passed away peacefully March 30, 2026, in Westerville, Ohio. He was born in Columbus to Azmi Mikhail and Insaf Mikhail.
He graduated from Athens High School in 1977 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 1981. Essam was self-employed and held a strong interest in social justice.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Insaf Mikhail.
He is survived by his father, Azmi Mikhail; brothers Emad Mikhail and Michelle Mikhail, Attef Mikhail and Linda Mikhail, Adel Mikhail and Kelly Mikhail, and Awni Mikhail and Jean Mikhail; and many extended family members and friends.
Essam will be remembered for his loyalty, his care for family, and the values he shared with those around him.
Richard “Dick” Rieser
1939 – March 21, 2026
Richard “Dick” Rieser, 86, of Galena, Ohio, passed away March 21, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Gertrude “Trudy” Rieser; sons Matthew “Matt” Rieser and Kelly Rieser, and Marc Rieser; granddaughters Emily Rieser and Cailyn Rieser; and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral Mass will be held April 16, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 313 N. State St., Westerville. The family has asked attendees to wear Ohio State attire in honor of Dick’s love for Ohio State.
Martha Elmarie Moffett
March 8, 1931 – March 27, 2026
Martha Elmarie Moffett, 95, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away peacefully March 27, 2026. She was born in Columbia, Alabama, to Elma Hunter and Abbie Harris and was the youngest of five children.
Martha served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1955 during the Korean War. After her military service, she worked as a beautician in Enterprise, Alabama, where she was known for her warmth and care.
She married Howard Ray Moffett on June 29, 1957, and they remained devoted to one another throughout their marriage. He preceded her in death in 1989.
Martha is survived by her daughter, Jane Ray Martinez; son-in-law Alberto Antonio Martinez; grandchildren Alberto Antonio Martinez II and Ashley Anna Martinez; granddaughter-in-law Sarah Beth Martinez; and great-grandchildren Maximus, Alberto “Henry,” and Lucia Elle Marie. She will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Thomas “Neil” OBrien
1937 – April 1, 2026
Thomas “Neil” OBrien, 88, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away April 1, 2026. He was born to Thomas Joseph OBrien and Wilma Margret Reid OBrien.
Neil was a graduate of Cambridge High School, where he played football, and later attended Kent State University. He retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation, where he worked as a photogrammetrist, creating maps. He was also a longtime member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.
An avid outdoorsman, Neil enjoyed muskie fishing, trap shooting, and hunting, and was a member of both the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club and Muskies, Inc. In the 1970s, he was also a successful sulky owner, trainer, and driver, winning many races.
In his final three years, Neil was a beloved resident of Danbury Assisted Living in Westerville.
Theodore “Ted” Sherron
January 7, 1942 – March 26, 2026
Theodore “Ted” Sherron, 84, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away March 26, 2026.
A celebration of life will be held at noon Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Newcomer Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel, 3047 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus.
Mary Elizabeth Slane
1926 – March 27, 2026
Mary Elizabeth Slane, 99, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away peacefully March 27, 2026. Born in Paoli, Indiana, she began her teaching career there in 1944 in a three-room schoolhouse, teaching first through third grades.
She married Martin S. Slane in 1948, and the couple moved to Columbus, where she taught at East Linden Elementary. In 1962, they moved to Westerville, and in 1964 she began teaching at Whittier Elementary. She later taught at Amhurst Elementary beginning in 1970 and retired in 1982. After retirement, she remained active with the Westerville Education Association.
Mary and her husband loved traveling across the country to visit relatives and see new places. She was known as the family photographer, carefully documenting trips and gatherings with notes on every picture.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin S. Slane; her parents, Robert Gofourth and Ida Faye; sisters Helen, Evelyn, and Barbara; and brothers Earl and George.
She is survived by her sister, Peggy; son Martin Slane and Leslie Slane; daughter Althea Kay Karlquist; grandsons Daniel Slane and Susie Slane, Cody Karlquist and Erin Karlquist, and Donald Karlquist and Gina Karlquist; and nine great-grandchildren.
Joseph Francis Stranges III
June 21, 1951 – March 23, 2026
Joseph Francis Stranges III, of New Albany, Ohio, passed away March 23, 2026, at St. Ann’s Hospital with his family by his side. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, he was the son of Joseph F. Stranges Jr. and Mary Kaczmarek Stranges.
Joe graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School in 1969 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University in 1972. He spent his professional career in information technology and was a longtime member of St. Paul the Apostle parish, where his five children also attended.
He was widely known as a referee for Diocese of Columbus and OHSAA events and as a coach and mentor to young athletes. He remained active in high school soccer officiating through October 2025. Many also knew him as a spirited presence in the press box and a passionate supporter of student athletes.
Joe loved Ohio State football, tailgating, cooking for family and friends, beach vacations, music, sports, and gatherings with those he loved. He especially treasured his role as grandfather and was a constant presence on the sidelines for his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Julie Lytus Stranges; children Joseph Stranges IV, Jodie Mensel and Nathan Mensel, Joshua Stranges, Jillian Monahan and Randy Monahan, and Jenna Mock and Kerry Mock; grandchildren Rylee, Mackenzie, Reese, Trey, Bailey, Beckham, Brady, Landon, Camden, and Sophia; brothers Vincent Stranges and Joan Stranges, Christopher Stranges, and Matthew Stranges and Paula Stranges; and many nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law Wasyl and Pelagia Lytus, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Pete and Linda Lytus.
Elizabeth “Liz” Rhyner
March 11, 1928 – April 1, 2026
Elizabeth “Liz” Rhyner, 98, of Westerville and a longtime resident of Minerva Park, passed away April 1, 2026, at Parkside Danbury in Westerville. She was born to Samuel Van Fossen and Myla Dougan Van Fossen. Her stepmother was Myrtle Haskins.
Liz was married to Marvin F. Rhyner, who preceded her in death in 2006. She was a member of Church of the Messiah in Westerville for more than 50 years. She worked for The Ohio State University in the Department of Education as a secretary for 15 years and was an Avon representative for more than 50 years, earning President’s Club membership as a top sales representative.
She enjoyed Ohio State football, gardening, bowling, golfing, cruising, and playing cards. She was a longtime member of euchre and bridge clubs and will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Stock and Larry Stock; sons Stephen Rhyner and Michael Rhyner and Tammy Rhyner; grandchildren Blake Rhyner and Ashleigh Rhyner; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Alice McElfresh, step-sister Dorothy Haskins, and step-brother James Haskins.
Martin Thaddeus Boratyn
1949 – April 1, 2026
Martin Thaddeus Boratyn, 76, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away peacefully April 1, 2026, after a yearlong battle with complications from liver disease. His wife, Pamela, was by his side.
Marty grew up in Chicago and remained a devoted fan of music, movies, and sports throughout his life. He followed the Cubs, Bears, and Notre Dame, loved classic films and many kinds of music, and especially enjoyed sharing laughter with family and friends.
He earned a Juris Doctor from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in business from Western Illinois University. He spent more than 30 years working as corporate counsel for transportation and logistics companies.
He is survived by his wife, Pam; sister Diane Boratyn of Seattle; several cousins; Pam’s brothers and sisters and their families; and many lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Irene Boratyn.
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