Westerville Obituaries October 19, 2025.
David Firth, 58, of Westerville, passed away October 4, 2025, at Riverside Methodist Hospital from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
He was born in 1967 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, to John and Joanne Firth. His family moved often before settling in Manassas, Virginia, where he graduated from high school. A lifelong learner, David earned degrees from Northern Virginia Community College, WVU-Tech, Columbus State Community College, Otterbein University, and Methodist Theological School of Ohio.
In 1991, he married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Campbell. Together they raised two children, Susan and Edward.
David worked many years with NiSource, parent company of Columbia Gas, most recently serving as a leader in Standards. He was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church before joining North Broadway UMC, where he led the Audio Visual team—a role he viewed as a ministry.
He loved Walt Disney World, his vintage VW Bug, dark Starbucks coffee, and dessert. He also volunteered as a scorekeeper for Westerville South Boys Volleyball, his son’s team.
Donald Andrew Curran, 59, of Columbus, passed away at home on October 12, 2025.
Born in Columbus to Michael and Lucy Curran, Don grew up in Westerville and graduated from St. Paul School in 1981 and Westerville North High School in 1985. He worked as an automotive mechanic for Porsche Audi North in Dublin during the 1990s and later served as a team leader at the Paul Peterson Company in Columbus and Hilliard, retiring in 2023.
Nancy Hamilton, 86, of Longwood at Oakmont and formerly of Wilkinsburg, passed away Monday, October 13, 2025.
She was the daughter of the late Dr. Robert C. Hamilton and Dorothy K. (Sexauer) Hamilton, and sister of the late Richard A. Hamilton. A graduate of Wilkinsburg High School and Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, Nancy studied education, Spanish, and French.
She taught in the Churchill Area School District and later worked in the Department of Ophthalmology at Saint Francis Medical Center. Nancy was a longtime member of Christ Church in Wilkinsburg prior to its merger with South Avenue United Methodist Church.
Friends are invited to remember her during the church’s All Saints Day service on Sunday, November 2, at 10:30 a.m.
Richard “Dick” Dreisbach, 89, of Westerville and formerly of Findlay, passed away October 8, 2025, at Danbury Senior Living of Westerville, Parkside Village.
He was born April 11, 1936, in Findlay to the late Frank and Lois (Frech) Dreisbach. On June 7, 1957, he married N. Vivian (Riggle) Dreisbach, who preceded him in death in 2024 after 66 years of marriage.
Dick was a 1954 graduate of Findlay Senior High School and earned both a bachelor’s degree in business administration (1958) and an MBA (1970) from Bowling Green State University. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard, Company C, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant (E-5).
He began his career at Cleveland Trust Company before joining Marathon Oil Company in Findlay in 1962, where he worked in finance, accounting, and computer services, retiring in 1996 after 34 years of service.
After retirement, Dick devoted much of his time to volunteer work, supporting St. Paul’s Church community dinners, Chopin Hall, City Mission, and Habitat for Humanity. At St. Paul’s, he served as an adult Sunday school teacher and held many leadership roles, including chair of the Administrative Board, treasurer, and chair of both the Finance Committee and Trustees. A gifted tenor, he sang in the church choir, in the St. Paul’s Quartet, and often performed solos at area churches.
Dick’s life was defined by his faith, which he lived with compassion, humility, kindness, and patience. His family finds comfort knowing he is now home with the Lord he served so faithfully.
Claude D. Holzapfel Jr., 86, of Westerville, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, surrounded by his family.
A graduate of Mifflin High School, Claude began his career in construction working with his father at Holzapfel Construction and later spent nearly 40 years with Elford Inc. as a superintendent and project manager. He took great pride in the many major projects he helped build across Ohio and valued the friendships he made throughout his career.
Claude was a longtime member of the Church of the Messiah in Westerville, where he married his wife, Brenda, in 1961, and a proud member of the Blendon Masonic Lodge. In 1970, he built the family home in Westerville, where he lived for more than five decades.
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, happiest when supporting his family’s activities or spending summers at the family’s Lakeside cottage. He enjoyed traveling with Brenda after retirement, with memorable trips to China, India, and Turkey.
Claude found joy in simple pleasures—working in his yard, visiting Roush Hardware, fishing with his son and grandchildren, and feeding the wildlife around his home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Sr. and Naomi Holzapfel; sister, Linda Keegan; and his wife of 59 years, Brenda Evans Holzapfel.
Survivors include his children, John C. (Lori) Holzapfel and Amy (Matt) Gutman; grandchildren Michael, Luke, and Elizabeth Gutman, and John Claude II and Zachary Holzapfel; sisters Barbara Gilliland and Pat Thomas; niece Courtney (CR) Bensen; great-niece and nephews Rebecca, Jacob, and Joseph Freed; and extended family.
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and neighbors at Our Home New Albany Senior Living and the Wesley Hospice team for their compassionate care.
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