Westerville Obituaries - December 28, 2025
Samuel H. Jones
August 19, 1942 – December 22, 2025
Samuel H. “Sam” Jones, 83, of Genoa Township, Ohio, died at home on Monday, December 22, 2025, while in hospice care. He was born August 19, 1942, in Westerville, Ohio, to the late Lucille (Tepper) and Leslie Amler Jones. A 1960 graduate of Big Walnut High School, he earned a degree from The Ohio State University. On July 12, 1969, he married Nancy Huntsman, and they made their home in Genoa Township with their son, William A. Jones. Sam worked for Ross Laboratories in Columbus. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, using his CB radio, and trips with Nancy to Tennessee and Amish Country. He followed Ohio State Buckeyes football and the Cincinnati Reds, and he cherished time with his lifelong friend, Terry.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his son, William A. Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents.
James E. Harr
October 17, 1951 – December 19, 2025
James E. “Jimmy” Harr, 74, of Westerville, Ohio, died on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Kobacker House Hospice in Columbus. He was born October 17, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late Glenn Harr and Eleanor (Terry) Harr. He was married to Cathy (Hard) Harr, who survives. Jimmy worked his entire career as a route salesman with Pepsi, Hostess, and Unifirst. He enjoyed time with his grandkids, caring for his pond and aquarium, gardening, and following the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins.
He is survived by his wife, Cathy, and his sons, Patrick Harr and Daniel Harr, and their wives, Brittany Mantell and Katie Tamms. He is also survived by grandchildren Cameron, 8, and Annie, 6. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Cathy Houston and Beth Queiser.
Memorial contributions may be made in James’s honor to Kobacker House Hospice, 800 McConnell Dr., Columbus, OH 43214.
Julie Anna (Weimer) Kenney
August 1, 1968 – December 21, 2025
Julie Anna (Weimer) Kenney, 57, of Westerville, Ohio, died unexpectedly on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at St. Ann’s Hospital. She was born August 1, 1968, in Columbus to the late Charles R. Weimer and Millicent J. (Andrew) Weimer. A 1986 graduate of Beechcroft High School, Julie built a career in the barber industry. She first worked as a barber, then moved to the retail side of the profession and served as a store manager for many years. She took pride in her work and the relationships she built. She collected snowmen and Dreamcicles, and she enjoyed attending craft shows.
Coralie Mae Cook
December 30, 1942 – December 17, 2025
Coralie Mae Cook, 82, of Westerville, Ohio, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. She was born December 30, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts. Coralie raised four children and worked as a realtor. She was known for a steady work ethic, devotion to family, and shopping trips that became shared traditions with her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Cook, in 2001, and by her granddaughter, Sophia Cook. She is survived by her brother, Bruce Goodstein. Children include Scott Cook (Ling Hunter), Bob Cook (Laura), Michelle Cook, and Mike Cook (Malorie). Grandchildren include Richelle Zawacki, Youxi Zheng, Farrah Cook, Sarah Menini, Susie Cook, Rob Cook, Ron Cook, Lauren Cook, and Austin Cook. Great-grandchildren include Jackson Rayner, Gabe Rayner, Hazel Rayner, Noelle Zawacki, Will Menini, Ellie Reynolds, Wes Cook, and Coralie Cook.
She will be remembered for the time she invested in her four children, ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, and for the practical care she brought to her work and home.
Toni Sakiko (Shimomura) Morris
July 16, 1938 – December 12, 2025
Toni Sakiko (Shimomura) Morris, 87, of Westerville, Ohio, died on Friday, December 12, 2025. She was born in Kyoto, Japan, the youngest of five children of Tsunekichi Shimomura and Hama (Ogura) Shimomura. She grew up in the Arashiyama area and loved mathematics. After her 20th birthday she sailed on the Hikawa Maru to the United States and lived in Seattle with her sister Hisayo “Cookie,” brother-in-law Dale Kenneth Moody, and nieces Linda and Nancy. She studied English at community college. Through Dale she met Neil Eugene Morris, whom she married on June 6, 1961. They raised two children, Cheryl Ann and Michael Kenneth.
Early in her marriage she earned a cosmetology license and worked in local salons. She practiced Ikebana and was known for careful cooking and hosting. In the 1980s she served as a Japanese English interpreter for Nittsu-Shoji and helped manage its warehouse in northern Ohio. She also supported Neil in building OneVision Corporation, founded in 1994.
Beverly Ann Kenny
1935 – December 23, 2025
Beverly Ann Kenny, 90, died on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, surrounded by family. A woman of deep faith, her life centered on devotion to God and family. She and her husband were former owners of Interstate Batteries in Columbus, Ohio. For many years she served as organist at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, playing for countless services, weddings, and funerals. She also played piano and accordion and could play by ear. A dedicated volunteer at St. Paul’s and with WARM, she was known for collecting coats at garage sales, mending them, and giving them to those in need.
She is survived by her children, Debbie Asmo Vanderson (Gary), Linda Yocca (Jeff), Mary Rossi (Tim), Billy Kenny, Dianne Cook (Todd), and Don Kenny (Kellie), 20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, her brother, Jim Prestel (Virginia), her sisters, Phyllis Edgington (George) and Diane Phillips, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, William T. Kenny, her son, Jim Kenny, and her son-in-law, John Asmo.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
John David Price
November 6, 1939 – December 22, 2025
John David “Johnny” Price, 86, died on Monday, December 22, 2025, after an extended illness. He was born November 6, 1939, in West Mansfield, Ohio, the second of four children of John W. and A. Monalite Price. He grew up in the Columbus area, ran a paper route by bicycle, and formed a lifelong friendship with Allen Cooperider. Through Allen and his wife, Jo, he met Rebecca “Becky” Jane McGiffin. Johnny and Becky marked their 65th wedding anniversary in November 2025.
A 1957 graduate of Westerville High School, Johnny began at North American Aviation in the machine shop, building parts for military aircraft. He later worked at Gene Gould Dodge, first as a mechanic and then in sales, and he retired from the Franklin County Recorder’s Office in the mid-1990s.
He enjoyed camping and fishing with family, volunteering with the Westerville Police Department, playing with his dogs, building wooden toys for his grandchildren, and fellowship at Westerville Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Becky.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
Explore more hyper-local reporting by subscribing to The Hilliard Beacon, Civic Capacity, Marysville Matters, The Ohio Roundtable, Shelby News Reporter, This Week in Toledo, and Into the Morning by Krista Steele.
