Westerville Obituaries - February 15, 2026
James G. Randas (Jim)
December 23, 1951 – December 23, 2025
James G. Randas, 74, passed away Dec. 23, 2025, from Alzheimer’s disease while in hospice care at The Gables memory care facility in Westerville, Ohio. He was born in Lima, Ohio, to George and Marie Kirwan Randas, who preceded him in death. His sister, Maureen Randas Coburn, also preceded him in death.
Jim graduated from Lima Central Catholic High School in 1969, where he played football and basketball. He attended Heidelberg University on a football scholarship and was a member of the 1972 Division III national championship team. He earned a degree in history in 1973 and later received a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University in 1980.
He began his law enforcement career in 1983 as a special agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, rising to investigative division chief. He later served as a special agent with the U.S. Department of Labor and then with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, where he spent 21 years and retired as a supervisory special agent in Columbus. He received numerous commendations during his career and took particular pride in his office’s work with the Joint Terrorism Task Force and defense procurement fraud cases. After retirement, he continued working as a consultant conducting background investigations until 2022.
Jim married Marcia Harris in 1986. She survives him, along with their children, Matthew Randas and Taylor Russo and Colin Russo, and grandchildren Elliot Russo and River Russo.
An active member of Medallion Country Club for 28 years, Jim was an avid golfer and racquetball player, winning a senior racquetball championship and enjoying years in men’s golf and softball leagues. Known to friends as “the Mayor” for his outgoing nature and wide circle of acquaintances, he valued time spent with family and friends both on and off the course.
Gladys Renicker
February 3, 1934 – February 3, 2026
Gladys Renicker, 92, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away Feb. 3, 2026. She was a 1952 graduate of Wellsville High School and worked for Ohio Bell and the Columbus Public School System.
She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Joseph G. Renicker; daughter Karen Anslinger and Kent Anslinger of Grove City; daughter-in-law Kelli Renicker; grandchildren Joseph G. Renicker III and Brooke Schulte; great-grandchildren Madison Schulte, Joseph G. Renicker IV, and Cameron Coy and Austin Coy; great-great-grandchild Zachary Coy; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph G. Renicker Jr., USMC; her parents, Sarah Risden Hancock and Harold Hancock; brothers Bub, George, and Butch Hancock; and sisters Betty Madish, Donna Noland, and Sondra Hicks.
Johnnie B. (Milburn) Laney
August 14, 1935 – February 6, 2026
Johnnie B. Laney, 90, passed away Feb. 6, 2026, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon. She was born in Stephens Branch, Kentucky, to Ike and Sadie Sturgil Stephens, who preceded her in death.
She married Oscar Milburn in 1951 and raised five children. Johnnie worked at Kilgore Manufacturing Co. in Westerville. She enjoyed traveling and visiting flea markets throughout the state, and found her greatest happiness in time spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild.
She is survived by her children Debbie Milburn-Harris, Mike Milburn, Matt Milburn and Angela Milburn, and Mark Milburn; grandchildren Billi Jo Swihart, Rodney Milburn, Michael Milburn, Tiffany Milburn-Hollis, Shelly Milburn, Chase Milburn, Cade Milburn, Conner Milburn, Miranda Milburn, and Nicole Milburn; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Constance “Connie” Madeline Bonnell
August 19, 1939 – February 3, 2026
Constance “Connie” Madeline Bonnell, 86, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away Feb. 3, 2026, with her husband by her side. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, to Clyde H. Bielstein and Violet L. Bielstein, who preceded her in death.
She married James “Jim” E. Bonnell on Aug. 18, 1962, in Dayton. They shared 63 years of marriage.
A graduate of Otterbein College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Connie taught second grade for two years in Dayton and Columbus City Schools and later spent 17 years as a preschool teacher. She loved working with children and valued the time she spent in the classroom.
Connie enjoyed gardening, arts and crafts including pine needle basket weaving, and choral singing in Columbus and in The Villages, Florida. She also loved traveling, taking several cruises and visiting numerous national parks. She will be remembered for her warm smile and kind spirit.
John E. Beaber
January 17, 1930 – February 7, 2026
John E. Beaber, 96, of Columbus, passed away Feb. 7, 2026, under hospice care at Inniswood Village in Westerville following a sudden illness. He was born in Strasburg, Ohio, in his grandparents’ home on Bodmer Avenue.
The son of Edwin “Bevo” Beaber, an auto mechanic and welder in Dover, and Grace Pfaeffli Beaber, John grew up in Tuscarawas County, where he played sandlot baseball and earned the nickname “Lil’ Bevo.” His first job was making soda fountain drinks at Garver Bros. country store in Strasburg. He graduated from Dover High School in 1948 and remained closely connected with his classmates for decades.
During the Korean War, John attended Army Intelligence School at Fort Riley, Kansas, studying map reading and photo interpretation. He later served at the Army Printing Plant supervising a proofreading section, a role well suited to his Kent State University journalism degree.
John spent 42 years in Ohio journalism as a reporter, photographer, and editor, working for the Canton Repository, Youngstown Vindicator, Dover Daily Reporter, Warren Tribune Chronicle, and the Columbus Dispatch. He also reported late night news for a Warren radio station. He served 12 years as chief of the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Canton bureau and concluded his career as Sunday Editor of the Columbus Dispatch, retiring in 1995.
He married Marjorie Limbach on Aug. 11, 1956, at Grace Lutheran Church in Dover. Together they enjoyed golf, travel across Ohio and the East Coast, and frequent trips to the Pacific Northwest to visit family. A drive along Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park was among their favorite memories.
John was known for his curiosity, sharp memory, and lifelong interest in people, sports, and world events.
Brandon Wayne Huston
August 23, 1988 – February 8, 2026
Brandon Wayne Huston, 37, of Lewis Center, Ohio, passed away Feb. 8, 2026, at his home from a pulmonary embolism. He was born in Hamilton, Ohio, to Wayne and Patrice Johnson Huston.
Brandon was active in his youth at Zion Lutheran Church in Hamilton, serving on church council, playing on the softball team, and holding roles with the Southern Ohio Synod of the ELCA. He attended Hamilton Christian School and graduated from Hamilton High School in 2007, where he played varsity golf, soccer, and volleyball.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in comparative religion and history from Miami University in 2011 and a Master of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary in 2018. He also completed multiple teaching certifications and participated in a National Endowment for the Humanities Institute.
Brandon met his wife, Julie Konkler, through the Faith Trek high school youth leadership program. They began dating after a 2007 trip to Tanzania and were married July 14, 2012, at Kumler Chapel in Oxford, Ohio. They lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan, while completing graduate studies, then in the Washington, D.C., area, where Brandon taught English and history at St. Anthony Catholic School in Brookland. In 2021, they returned to Ohio and welcomed their daughter, Ava Jane, in May 2022.
Brandon was a devoted husband, father, son, and brother. He loved teaching, gardening, cooking, fishing, and following Cincinnati sports, and will be remembered for his steady faith and care for others.
John Robert Kleberg died on February 5, 2026, in Westerville, Ohio. Born on December 18, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, John’s life was marked by his unwavering faith, his commitment to public service, and his deep love for his family and country.
John was a cherished husband to Nancy, a loving father to Kathy (Roger) Estrada, John (Sherri) Kleberg, and Jeff (Mona) Kleberg, and a doting grandfather to grandsons John, Matthew, Jason, and Jeremy. His family was his pride and joy.
John’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration from Michigan State University, followed by a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Illinois. Upon completing his education, he proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Army, Military Police Corps. Following his military service, he continued his vocation in public safety as a Public Safety Officer at Michigan State University, Security Director at Virginia Commonwealth University, and later as Chief of Police at the University of Illinois.
In 1973, John’s expertise and leadership led him to The Ohio State University, where he served as Deputy Chief of University Police, Director of Internal Audit, and from 1983 until retirement as Assistant Vice President, Business and Administration. Post retirement, he worked at Ohio State for six years serving as Director, Risk Assessment for Student Affairs.
Beyond his professional and family life, he was an avid historian and a collector of law enforcement memorabilia. His passion for history and family genealogy, in particular his Swedish ancestry, often intertwined, leading him to become the archivist for Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.
His life was one of service, and his legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched. As we bid farewell to John Robert Kleberg, we celebrate a life well-lived that will forever be etched in our hearts; he will be deeply missed.
John Robert Kleberg
December 18, 1939 – February 5, 2026
John Robert Kleberg passed away Feb. 5, 2026, in Westerville, Ohio. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he lived a life defined by faith, public service, and devotion to family.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; children Kathy Estrada and Roger Estrada, John Kleberg and Sherri Kleberg, and Jeff Kleberg and Mona Kleberg; and grandsons John, Matthew, Jason, and Jeremy.
John earned a Bachelor of Science in law enforcement administration from Michigan State University and a Master of Education in higher education administration from the University of Illinois. He served as a captain in the United States Army Military Police Corps before beginning a long career in public safety and university administration. His roles included public safety officer at Michigan State University, security director at Virginia Commonwealth University, chief of police at the University of Illinois, and, beginning in 1973, leadership positions at The Ohio State University. At Ohio State, he served as deputy chief of university police, director of internal audit, and assistant vice president for business and administration until his retirement. He later worked as director of risk assessment for student affairs.
An avid historian and collector of law enforcement memorabilia, John had a deep interest in genealogy and his Swedish heritage. He served as archivist for Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. His life of service and steady leadership leaves a lasting legacy among family, colleagues, and friends.
Marsha Ann (Stewart) Scott
December 1, 1946 – February 8, 2026
Marsha Ann Scott, 79, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away peacefully Feb. 8, 2026. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012, she faced the years that followed with courage and grace.
Born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, to Paul and Arline Stewart, she was raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from Towson University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in physical education.
Marsha met Terry P. Scott in 1967, and they married later that year. His military career took them briefly to Germany before they returned to Baltimore, where they welcomed daughters Michelle and Sherri. The family later moved to Westerville, where their son Gregory was born. Westerville remained her home for more than 45 years.
She devoted her early years to raising her children, later building a successful career in sales before retiring from AT&T. She enjoyed shopping, golfing, cheering on Ohio State football and basketball, and spending time with family and friends.
Known as “Migama” to her grandchildren Andrew and Alison, Marsha treasured her role as grandmother. She will be remembered for her warmth, strength, and the steady love she shared with those around her.
Mildred Lucille “Millie” Becker
May 13, 1923 – February 7, 2026
Mildred Lucille Becker, known to many as Millie, passed away Feb. 7, 2026, in Westerville, Ohio, at the age of 102. She was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Millie is survived by her daughter Mary Beth “Missy” Rush and Tom Rush, and her son Timothy Eric Becker; grandchildren Heather Michelle Held and Matt Ward, April Rochelle Wood and Tim Wood, Ryan Richard Lech and Andrea Lech, Forrest Becker, and Veronika Allen; great-grandchildren Justice Held, Nicole Held, Joey Held, Rocston Wood, and Roland Wood; great-great-grandchild Luca Held; and many nieces, nephews, and members of her church and community.
She spent 25 years teaching sixth grade in Westerville and was known for her dedication to education and to her students. She studied social work at Capital University and education at Otterbein University. Over the years, she served as president of the Capital University Alumni Association and the Westerville Education Association and was honored as a Rhoads Scholar.
A founding member and elder of Living Word Lutheran Church, Millie’s faith guided her life. She enjoyed music, reading her Bible, and watching game shows. Affectionately called “Mrs. Westerville” by many, she will be remembered for her long life of service, steady faith, and devotion to family and community.
Robert Dee Schultz II (“Dutch”)
February 6, 1943 – February 6, 2026
Robert Dee Schultz II, 83, a United States Air Force veteran and former squad leader of the Civil Air Patrol, passed away peacefully Feb. 6, 2026, in Westerville, Ohio.
He worked as an electrical engineer and computer scientist during a long career with Lucent Technologies, AT&T, Bell Laboratories, and Western Electric.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Lois Ann Schultz.
He is survived by daughters Kimberly Sue Denman of Columbus and Saundra Lynn Borel and Jeff Borel of Edwards, Colorado; son Robert Dee Schultz III of Westerville; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
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