October 11, 1942 - December 2, 2025
Marlene Loescher (83) passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 2, 2025, in the memory care unit at the Danbury Senior Living facility in Westerville, Ohio. Marlene was born in Bluffton, Ohio, to George and Marian Clapper. She attended Ada High School and was a graduate of Ohio Northern University majoring in physical education. She received her master’s degree in physical education at The Ohio State University. After 30 years of teaching, Marlene retired from Columbus City Schools. She then was employed for 13 years for The Ohio State University as a physical education student teacher instructor and supervised the student teachers assigned to Columbus area schools. Marlene loved teaching and skillfully used her great sense of humor to keep her students happily engaged. She also loved animals, playing golf, watching the Buckeyes and socializing with friends and family.
Marlene is survived by her partner, Sue Manker; her sister, Betty May; her nieces Amber Del Vesco (Josh) and Julie Mohr (Troy); great nieces and nephews, Ali Del Vesco, Lauren Woolstenhulme, Hannah Mohr, Caitlyn Day, Nathan Mohr, Tyler Mohr and great, great nephews, Kamden and Rocky. Marlene requested no funeral service and asked that her family and friends celebrate
the memories they shared and all the good times they had together.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Capital City Hospice, 2800 Corporate Exchange Dr., Suite 170, Columbus, OH 43231 capcityhospice.com or the Alzheimer’s Assoc. of Central
Ohio, 5200 Upper Metro Place, Suite 170, Dublin, OH 43017 www.alz.org-central
Condolences
Kim Dill - Dec 9, 2025
I was so sad to hear about the passing of Mrs. Loescher. She and Miss Manker were teachers when I was at Mifflin in the 1970s. They both have adult names, but it’s difficult to call a teacher by their first name, no matter how old you are. Mrs. Loescher was so kind, and she was funny too. She seemed to always be wearing a smile – in fact I can’t even picture her without one. I was never the most coordinated person, so gym was not my favorite. But I always took something away from classes that helped me, whether it was watching how she interacted with others, how she motivated people, or simply how positive she seemed to be about things. She knew how to meet everyone where they were – even me, someone who was unable to get through a game of volleyball without tripping and sliding across the slick gym floor or stoving a finger. Both Mrs. Loescher and Miss Manker had a profound effect on me when I was at Mifflin. They were the role models I needed -- strong, smart, capable women who seemed to be able to move about the world on their own power. And in the years after high school as I tried to find my own way, I thought about them and it helped. I express my deepest sympathies to Miss Manker and friends and family. The world is a better place because Mrs. Loescher was a part of it.