Charles “Wendell” Watt
10-02-1927 – 01-08-2026
Charles “Wendell” Watt, 98, of Westerville, Ohio, died January 8, 2026, surrounded by family. Born October 2, 1927, in Westerville to Leland and Florence Watt, he attended Central College Grade School and graduated from Westerville High School in 1945. As a teenager he was an Ohio State Buckeyes usher, a role that marked a lifelong pride in the team. He served in the United States Army during World War II as part of a peacekeeping unit in Germany and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. After returning home, he worked at Egan & Ryan Funeral Home, then as a purchasing and scheduling manager at Plaskolite. In 1962 he joined a Westerville insurance agency, later becoming the owner, and served clients until his retirement in 1992. He was a lifelong member of Central College Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder, Deacon, and Head Usher, and was active in the PTA, Westerville Lions Club, and the Amalthea Historical Society.
Paul Connor DeHart, Jr.
|04-30-1952 – 01-07-2026
Paul Connor DeHart, Jr., 73, of Westerville, Ohio, died January 7, 2026, with family at his side after a long illness. Born April 30, 1952, in Ashland, Kentucky, he graduated from Paul G. Blazer High School in 1970. He served 32 years in the U.S. Air Force on active duty and in the reserves, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 2006. He then served 33 years with the Department of Defense, Defense Information Systems Agency, retiring in 2013. He moved to Ohio in 1985, was a member and ordained Deacon at First Baptist Church of Westerville, and enjoyed golf and cheering the UK Wildcats and Ashland Tomcats.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janice Akers DeHart, his son, Connor DeHart, and daughter-in-law, McKenzie, all of Westerville, his sister, Vicki Harper of Lexington, Kentucky, and his aunt, Jeannie Harris of Flatwoods, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Sr. and Bettie Turner DeHart, and his sister, Denise Isaacs.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 13, at 9:00 a.m., with a service at 10:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church of Westerville, 104 S. Spring Road, Westerville. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast, Grayson, Kentucky. Donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Nancy S. Bryant
11-29-1940 – 12-30-2025
Nancy S. Bryant, 85, of Westerville, Ohio, died December 30, 2025. Born in Marengo, Ohio, she graduated from Westerville High School in 1958, attended Ohio University, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Otterbein College in 1964. She taught elementary school in Westerville City Schools at Hawthorne Elementary. After retirement she volunteered in her grandchildren’s school library. She loved books, writing, sewing, games, and time with family, and was a steady presence at the activities of her grandchildren, nieces, and their friends.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Robert Bryant and his wife Kelsey, and Kahle Wilcox and her husband Matt. Great-grandchildren, Reagan and Grant Bryant, and Luca Wilcox. Sisters-in-law, Miriam Siegfried, Gloria Siegfried, Barbara O’Bryan, and Carol Tell. Nieces, Sara Siegfried and Rachel Du and her husband Jon. Many cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Roy, her parents, Harry and Ruth Siegfried, her brothers, Steve and Ken Siegfried, and her son, David Bryant.
Otto Laster
07-28-1928 – 01-04-2026
Otto Laster, 97, of Westerville, Ohio, died January 4, 2026, at home. Born July 28, 1928, in Sniatyn, Poland, to Regina and Mendel Laster, he spent his childhood in Storojinet, Romania. During World War II his family was deported to the Berschad concentration camp in Ukraine. After the war he studied in Austria, earning an electrician diploma from Salzburg Trade School and attending the Graz Institute of Technology. In 1950 he immigrated to the United States under the Displaced Persons Act with sponsorship from the Columbus Jewish community. He earned two electrical engineering degrees from The Ohio State University and worked 38 years as an electrical engineer at Rockwell International and Battelle. He married Janet Fentress in 1971. He enjoyed tennis, square dancing, hiking, and bridge.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Laster. Children, Lisa Kelley and her husband Craig, and Lori Earls and her husband Todd. Grandchildren, Emma and Evan Kelley, and Brayden and Griffin Earls. Brother, Martin Laster and his wife Remi. He was preceded in death by his brother, Rudi Laster.
Per his wishes, he donated his body to The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
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