Chestora Dellenbach

Chestora Dellenbach, 94, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026. She was well loved and will be missed by many. Chestora was a devoted daughter, and was a faithful wife for 76 years. In her own words, “Family life was important, we enjoyed our children so much. We also loved to entertain – having our larger families together at our house.” She worked from home to help build their business, being Vice President and Secretary of Ace Sign Company.

Chestora was preceded in death by Mother Blanche Brookover, Son Steve Dellenbach and Foster-Son Kieth DeLong. She is survived by husband Louis Dellenbach, daughter Annette (Casey) O’Stroske; granddaughters Christine (John) Buerger, Marie (Iain) Johns; and granddaughters Caidyn Leyshon, Callie Leyshon, Tara Johns, and Rowena Johns. Also survived by Foster-daughter Jeanette (Lester) Maple, Foster-Son Randy (Kim) DeLong; DeLong grandchildren Ryan Gilbert, Randy Lee, Abigail, Elisabeth, Jared, Deborah, Leslie and Amanda; and DeLong great-grandchildren. Chris Perry was her best friend and they spent many hours together enjoying each other’s company.

She was fond of her many nieces and nephews, who knew them as Aunt Chessie and Uncle Louie. She preferred her real name, since her mother named her after Chestora McDonald Carr, and elocution teacher her mother heard speak and liked the name. Education was important to Chestora and she was involved in many school activities, most importantly as a member of the South High Choir. She served as Philo Club President, G.A.A. treasurer, Senior Secretary and Editor of the yearbook. Chestora was in National Honor Society and was Valedictorian for the Mid-Year 1950 graduating class.

Chestora was gifted with a beautiful singing voice, and was drawn to sacred music. She was a charter member of Trinity United Church of Christ and in the church choir for 50 years. She also sang with the Damenchor of the Columbus Maennerchor for 25 years. She provided guitar and vocal music leadership at Lutheran Senior City for 7 years. Chestora also enjoyed secular music and was known to break out in song if any lyrics popped into her head at any moment.

Books were a treasure for Chestora and she collected meaningful quotations. She said, “I love a well spoken phrase – a beautifully constructive and expressive sentence.” A favorite saying was “He who laughs lasts.” She loved to tell a joke, and we loved to hear her booming laugh. To state a value she held dear, “I believe people are here on earth to help one another. Otherwise, life is not worth much.” She believed in God, friendship, love, and forgiveness.

The family would like to thank Kobacker House HomeReach Hospice for the care and kindness they showed our dear Chestora in her final days. She so enjoyed the compassionate nurses and aides calling her Chestora, which always made her think of her mother – the greatest woman in her life. Now we have another great woman to cherish.

Visitation will be held at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N High Street, Worthington, OH 43085, US, on June 7, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Visitation will also be held at Trinity United Church of Christ, 1180 Shanley Dr, Columbus, OH 43224, US, on June 8, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, followed by the Funeral Service at Trinity United Church of Christ on June 8, 2026, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, followed by a Graveside Service at Green Lawn Cemetery.