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