Westerville Obituaries - November 2, 2025
Evelyn “Faye” Miles
1938 – 2025
Evelyn “Faye” Miles, 87, of Westerville, passed away peacefully at her home on October 24, 2025. Born in Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania, to the late Asa and Beulah Bolyard, Faye devoted her life to family and faith.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Nelson E. Miles; daughters Jodi (Tom) Harris and Marcia Miles; grandsons Jacob (Lindsay) Harris and Brady Harris; and great-grandsons Luke Thomas Harris and Cooper James Harris. She also leaves behind cherished in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Family and friends may call Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 North High Street. A memorial service will follow Friday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with entombment at Kingwood Memorial Park.
Edward “Ed” B. Hatch III
1928 – 2025
Edward “Ed” B. Hatch III, 97, of Westerville, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2025. He was born July 20, 1928, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to the late Edward B. Hatch Jr. and Caroline Tibbitts Hatch.
Ed grew up in Minneapolis, Louisville, and Columbus, and attended The Ohio State University, where he developed a lifelong devotion to the Buckeyes. He enjoyed a successful career as a mechanical packaging engineer for North American Rockwell before moving into telecommunications in Columbus, Ohio, and Springfield, Virginia.
A proud member of Shriners International for more than 75 years, Ed lived a life defined by service, integrity, and community. He was known for his curiosity, patience, kindness, and generosity. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, and cheering on his Buckeyes.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Wiley, and his wife of 66 years, Cynthia Fabb Hatch, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and laughter.
Jean Ann (White) Shultz
1945 – 2025
Jean Ann (White) Shultz, 80, of Westerville, passed away at home on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
A 1963 graduate of Granville High School, Jean played trumpet and was active in intramural sports. After moving to Columbus, she worked as a secretary at Warren-Teed Pharmaceuticals, where she met her husband of 54 years, James Shultz. Jean retired after 39 years as a Westerville City Schools bus driver.
She loved the outdoors, sports, landscaping, her faith, OSU Buckeye football, golfing, playing softball, her yard, her home, the family’s Christmas tree farm, and everything Christmas. Above all, she cherished time with her family.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 15, at 4:00 p.m., Chapel North, 5325 Smothers Road, Westerville, OH 43081.
Thomas “Tom” Charles Perley
1967 – 2025
Thomas “Tom” Charles Perley, 58, lived life his own way from the moment he arrived seven weeks early in May 1967 until his passing on October 2, 2025, from complications of a spinal cord injury.
Born in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Delene and James Perley, Tom grew up in Wooster, Ohio, where his brother, Scott, was born. A 1985 graduate of Wooster High School, he excelled academically, loved spelling bees, and played euphonium in the marching band. His summers were spent at Camp Nuhop in Mohican State Park, a camp his parents helped create for children with disabilities.
Tom earned a B.A. in Communications from Otterbein College in 1990, where he was known as a popular college radio DJ. He lived independently in Columbus for more than three decades, working in data entry, nursing home support, and warehouse preparation, while enjoying his freedom to explore the city, ride public transit, visit malls, and attend movies and festivals.
After an accident in April 2025 left him paralyzed, Tom faced rehabilitation with determination and humor. He later moved to Portland, Maine, where he continued therapy, made friends, and impressed everyone with his trivia knowledge and optimism.
Tom was preceded in death by his father in 2016. He is survived by his mother, Delene; brother, Scott; sister-in-law, Laurel; niece, Nora; nephew, Nathan; and extended family, friends, co-workers, and church community.
He will be remembered for his wit, curiosity, and love of books, cartoons, and music—and for the warmth and cheer he brought to all who knew him.
Shirley Margaret (Lott) Clements
1934 – 2025
Shirley Margaret (Lott) Clements, 91, of Westerville, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, entering her eternal home. She was born September 24, 1934, in Plum, Pennsylvania, to John and Ruth Lott.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 69 years, Robert A. Clements. Children, Kimberly (Timothy) Harrison and Robert (Kelly) Clements. Grandchildren, Austin (Heather) Harrison, Ezekiel (Zeke) Harrison, Tyler, Casey, and Camryn Clements. Great-granddaughter, Lucy Harrison. Sister-in-law, Jane Lott, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Jack and Jim Lott.
A 1953 graduate of Plum High School, Shirley lived in Plum for more than eighty years before she and Bob moved to Westerville eleven years ago to be closer to family. She loved time with her family, playing games, traveling, and spending summers at the lake and winters in Florida.
Those who knew Shirley will remember her infectious smile, laughter, deep faith in Jesus, and her gift for making everyone feel welcome. Her joyful spirit and kindness will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Katherine “Cathy” Grota Sahlin
1961 – 2025
Katherine “Cathy” Grota Sahlin, 64, of Westerville, found peace on October 24, 2025, at home with her husband and family by her side after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born January 2, 1961, in West Lafayette, Indiana, Cathy was the eldest of four children to Lee and Mary (Peterson) Grota. She grew up in Penfield, New York, where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Ken Sahlin. Together they shared nearly fifty years of love and adventure—attending Purdue University, raising a family in Boston, and eventually building a warm, welcoming home in Ohio. They loved traveling and camping in America’s National Parks and were always ready for the next journey together.
Cathy’s creativity and sense of style defined her career. From her early days in a Boston bridal shop to designing costumes for BalletMet and later children’s fashion with Limited Too/Justice, her eye for fabric, texture, and detail was unmatched. Her greatest designs, however, were her three sons—Trent, Kevin, and Tyler—whom she raised with humor, grace, and love.
Known affectionately as “Chatty Cathy,” she filled every room with laughter, warmth, and kindness. She shared her many gifts with schools, theater groups, and the Saint Paul’s Church Choir, where her voice reflected her joyful spirit.
Cathy loved hiking, biking, jogging, and cross-country skiing, often with Ken by her side. She also shared with her mother a love for gardening, genealogy, and antiquing, always drawn to the beauty and craftsmanship of historical clothing.
Her life was one of creativity, compassion, and connection—a lasting example of love lived fully and shared freely.
Gary George Cook
1940 – 2025
Gary George Cook, 85, of Westerville, passed away peacefully at home on October 27, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 12, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Ralph and Agnes (DeNoma) Cook, and was a 1958 graduate of Purcell Marian High School.
For 25 years, Gary owned and operated Cook’s Balloonery, earning the affectionate nickname “The Balloon Man.” A devoted parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Church for 60 years, he sang in the choir for five decades and was an active member of the Westerville Sunrise Rotary, where he also enjoyed golf with the Rotary League.
Every Friday and Sunday after Mass, Gary and his wife could be found at Sunny Street Café, sharing breakfast with family. Known for his sharp wit and quick humor, he delighted in bringing laughter to those around him. His life was filled with the things he valued most—faith, family, and community.
Charles Richard “Ric” MacMeans
1951 – 2025
Charles Richard “Ric” MacMeans, 74, of Westerville, passed away peacefully at home on October 27, 2025. Born April 22, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio, Ric’s life reflected his deep devotion to family, his love of learning, and his passion for sports, art, and music.
A 1969 graduate of Solon High School, Ric attended Miami University on a football scholarship before earning a computer science degree from The Ohio State University in 1983 and a master’s in accounting from the University of Dayton in 1989. He built a distinguished career in IT, working for Chemical Abstracts, The Galbreath Company, Abitec, and The Marzetti Company before retiring in 2013.
A loyal Buckeye fan, Ric also loved golf, playing several days a week, and traveled widely with his wife, Donna, exploring the U.S. and Europe. In later years, he taught himself to play guitar—even crafting one by hand—and painted in acrylics with an eye for vivid color.
Ric will be remembered for his warmth, humor, and generosity. For 35 years, he met regularly with close friends in his gourmet group, where food and laughter were always shared in equal measure.
He is survived by his wife, Donna (Lutz); sister, Bonnie Luecht; children, Jessica and David (Heather) MacMeans; grandson, Charles A. MacMeans; brother-in-law, Mike Luecht; and nephew, Mike Luecht Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Agnes (DeNoma) Cook.
Ric’s joyful spirit and creativity enriched every life he touched. His legacy lives on in the love and laughter he shared with family and friends.
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