Chesterland, Ohio – Faith Nadine Whitcomb, age 82, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 10, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on December 21, 1943, at Huron Road Hospital in East Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Elsie Rose (Simmonds) and Karl Evan Hoffacker. Faith attended Charles F. Brush High School and married her lifelong sweetheart, Richard Gilbert Whitcomb, Sr., on November 17, 1961, meeting each other at the age of thirteen. Faith and her husband, affectionally know as “Papa D”, were founding members of Grace Evangelical Bible Church in Newbury, Ohio. Faith was artistic, and in her younger years, she was part of a theatrical group, singing and dancing. She loved to paint as well, but her true passion was writing. She was an independent contractor for the Cleveland Plain Dealer for fifteen years, where she covered governmental meetings, common pleas court, and wrote feature articles for the entertainment and other special sections. Faith also wrote feature articles for the Geauga County Maple Leaf, the Chesterland News, and wrote eight Anchor Devotionals for the Haven of Rest Ministries. She enjoyed camping, horses, being outdoors, baking, sewing, and crocheting. Her greatest joys, however, were her faith and family.
Faith is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of fifty-three years, Richard G. Whitcomb, Sr.; her son, Richard Gilbert Whitcomb, Jr.; and her brother, Karl “Ponch” Hoffacker. Survivors include three daughters, Nadine (Eric) Toth of Thompson, Ohio, Janna (Michael) Luck of Concord, Ohio, and Joy (Paul) Cimino of Mentor on the Lake, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Nicole, David (Bethany), Daniel (Shari), and Jared Toth, Jason and Rachel Luck, Kelly (Jamie) McClelland, and Rick Cimino; ten great-grandchildren, Breanna, Alex, Corey, Jaxson, Bradley, and Garrett Toth, Kelly, Hannah, Adam, and Elijah McClelland; her sister, Kris (Rob) Moore of Burton, Ohio; and her brother, Kurt (Dorothy) Hoffacker of Hambden, Ohio.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, Ohio, and again on Saturday, October 3rd, from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Her Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Chester Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Grace Evangelical Bible Church, 14951 Auburn Road, Newbury, OH 44065. Share a fond memory or condolence at www.gattozziandson.com.
