John Essman

John J. Essman, age 94, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at Ohio Living Westminster Thurber. He was born on July 25, 1931, to the late Joe and Genevieve (Stanton) Essman in the Woodland Park neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. John graduated from Aquinas College Catholic High School in 1949 before studying Advertising at The Ohio State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree. While at Ohio State, John was a member of the Air Force ROTC, and upon completion of his university studies was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force.

After completion of his military service, John returned to Columbus and began a thirty-eight year career in advertising with the Dispatch Printing Company, publisher of the Columbus Dispatch and Columbus Citizen-Journal newspapers. His interest in advertising led to his long-time involvement with the American Advertising Federation of Columbus and other professional organizations.

Upon retirement from the Dispatch, John continued to stay active by working with the United Way through their loaned executive program and by his involvement with the Columbus International Auto Show. With his son Michael, he was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians-Patrick Pearse Division 1. A lifetime fan of Ohio State football, he attended many games over the years and also enjoyed listening to the radio broadcasts on game days. John loved listening to classical music at home, and with his wife Nancy regularly attended Broadway musicals locally as season ticket holders to the CAPA Broadway series. He was a supporter of Bishop Watterson High School's vocal music program, where Nancy was director.

As a life-long follower of the Catholic Church, John's faith was very important to him. Early parish memberships included St. Augustine and St. Matthias Catholic Churches, but he found his true home as a long-time member of St. Anthony near his north-side neighborhood. John and Nancy were very active in the parish, where John was a sacristan and Nancy a member of the choir. Together, they distributed a parish newsletter for several years.

Along with his parents, John is preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Nancy; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Cathern Essman and Bob and Joanne Essman; his brother-in-law David Holloway and brother-in-law Terry Holloway. John is survived by his children, Teri (Rick) Asman and Michael (Tara) Essman; much-loved granddaughters Lauren (Chris) Colwell, Taryn Essman and Alexandria Essman; sister-in-law Margie (John) Sunderland; sister-in-law Bree Holloway; and many nieces and nephews. Family was very important to John, including his many cousins who he looked forward to seeing at annual Essman and Stanton family reunions. He is now reunited with Nancy and those family and friends who went before him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Capital City Hospice or the Central Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association (for Nancy). We would like to thank our friends at Capital City Hospice for the special care they gave to John.

A visitation will be held at Schoedinger Worthington, located at 6699 N High Street, Worthington, OH, 43085, on November 20, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The Funeral Mass will take place at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 6077 Sharon Woods Blvd, Columbus, OH, 43229, on November 21, 2025, starting at 10:00 am.