Deacon Francis A. Paniccia 

Funeral Masses for Deacon Francis A. Paniccia, 91, who died Wednesday, June 19, were celebrated Thursday, June 27 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Naples, Florida and Monday, July 1 at Our Mother of Sorrows Chapel, Columbus, followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Columbus.

Deacon Paniccia was among the first class of deacons ordained by Bishop Edward Herrmann on June 6, 1976 and served at Columbus St. Andrew, Columbus St. Philip and Logan St. John churches before moving to Bonita Springs, Florida in 1988 and to Naples in 2012. 

He was born in Jackson, Michigan on April 24, 1933, to Bernardo and Anna (Camastro) Paniccia and received a Bachelor's degree in business administration and mathematics from Western Michigan University in 1955. 

He spent most of his working career in Columbus as the founder of Panic Lighting and Paniccia Business Co. before moving to Florida. 

Before becoming a deacon, he and his wife of 65 years, Sandy (Ramsay), were active in the Cursillo, Teens Encounter Christ and Marriage Encounter movements. He was selected as Catholic Man of the Year for 1973 by the diocesan Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club. He served as co-director of the diocesan Office of Family Life from 1977 to 1981. He also was a member of the Ohio National Guard for 20 years,

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers Dominic and Rocco and a sister, Mary Lowry. Survivors include sons Bernie, Greg (Celia), Paul, Peter, Nick and Tony, daughters Lauri (Greg) Gierhart, Tammy (Bill) Pancake and Maria (Doug) Sweeney, 14 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Cynthia Beiter

Funeral Mass for Cynthia Beiter, 73, who died Wednesday, June 19, was celebrated Saturday, June 22 at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Lancaster. Burial was at St. Mary Cemetery, Lancaster.

She was born on April 1, 1951 to Faye and Doris McMillen and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1969. 

She was the secretary for St. Mary School for 16 years before her retirement and also was employed by the Fairfield County auditor’s office and Lancaster City Schools.

She was a member of Twig 7 and the local Parents League, was a Girl Scout leader and a North School PTA officer and worked for more than 25 years with the Lancaster Festival. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Timothy. Survivors include her husband, Bob; son. Rob; daughters Lauren and Megan; a brother, Steve, and eight grandchildren.


CRITES, Lorraine, 92, July 1

St. Mary Magdalene Church, Columbus


DEREN, Kathy Ann, 59, June 20

St. Brigid of Kildare Church, Powell


DiSABATO, Rosalyn T. (Merendo) “Nonnie,” 92, June 21

St. Paul the Apostle Church, Westerville


DOONE, Thomas J., 64, June 28

St. James the Less Church, Columbus


FINAN, Bernard Gregory “Greg,” 85, June 21

St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Zanesville


FRANCIS, Joseph Sr., 95, June 26

St. Mary Magdalene Church, Columbus


GALYK, Jane Michelle, 62, June 22

St. Mary Church, Marion


HODAKIEVIC, Johanna Rita “Joni” (Dolphin), 78, June 13

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Marysville


LANCIA, Kay, 82. June 20

Our Mother of Sorrows Chapel, Columbus


MCCABE, Vincent E., 87, June 12

St. Paul the Apostle, Westerville


MEYER, Elizabeth A. (Irwin), 94, June 26

St. Matthew the Apostle Church, Gahanna


MONACO, Carlo J., 88, June 19

St. Paul the Apostle, Westerville


MUNHALL, Josephine M. (Barnett), 80, June 25

St. Michael Church, Worthington


PIERONI, Sue A. (Hoyt}, 78, June 24

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Marysville


RYAN, Michael T., 45, June 17

St. Joseph Cathedral, Columbus 


SHROYER, Anna L. (Westenberger), 85, June 21

St. Mary Magdalene Church, Columbus


SIBBRING, Shirley Ann, 89, June 21

St. Mary Church, Nashport


SMITH, Ronald G. “Ron,” 90, June 19

Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, Lancaster


SMITH, Rose Panaia, 93, June 29

St. Nicholas Church, Zanesville


TAYLOR, Robert, 80, June 14

Immaculate Conception Church, Columbus 


TIMLIN, Gayle M., 69, June 26

St. Mary Magdalene Church, Columbus


YUSKEWICH, Susan E. (Essman), 72, June 24

St. Agatha Church, Columbus


ZIFER, Carol (Groh), 85, June 21

St. Joseph Church, Dover