Deborah Esala

Deborah Ruth (Schultz) Esala passed away on April 3, 2026, Good Friday, at Sunrise of Dublin in Dublin, OH, where she resided for over 7 years, surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren, and loved ones. She drifted into the palm of the hand of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Deb was born on July 21, 1950, in Rochester, MN, to Rev. Arthur and Norma Schultz. She graduated from Red Oak High School, Red Oak, IA. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from Valparaiso University in 1972 and then married Phil Esala, on June 11, 1972. She received her Master of Social Work from Florida State University in 1974. Deb took all the counseling classes at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, preparing herself for Christian counseling. She was a social worker and a counselor for individuals and couples. She was a school social worker in Lake County, IL, especially thriving in her role at Grayslake Middle School. She taught women’s Bible classes and family life classes at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Mundelein, IL and at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Kettering OH, where she was Director of Family Life and Women’s Ministries. She could even make the announcements at church services funny and memorable. She counseled many people, practicing deep empathy and offering grounded guidance. She taught all around the country and internationally in Ghana. She served on several boards in Ohio and for the national church. Deb enjoyed being the life and fun of any gathering, blatantly “cheating” and then winning at musical chairs. She made sure no one took any game too seriously but enjoyed the fun of laughing and being together. Deb was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She loved gathering with family and friends, preparing well ahead of time for those who stayed at the family home, for days pulling out from the freezer meal after meal for all to enjoy.

In 2012, Deb was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, an early stage of Alzheimer’s. In 2013, Deb and Phil moved from Centerville, OH to Dublin, OH to be near family with the continuing challenge of Alzheimer’s. Eventually she moved into the memory care floor at Sunrise of Dublin.

Deb is survived by her husband Rev. Philip Esala, Dublin, OH; son Rev. Dr. Nathan (Sarah) Esala, Dublin, OH; daughter Rev. Andrea (Rev. Brodie) Taphorn, Bucyrus, OH; son Rev. Joel (Sarah) Esala, Dublin, OH; son Jonathan (Meredith) Esala, Dublin, OH; ten loving grandchildren: Karissa, Annaka, Aili, Isaac, Eliot Esala; Abigail, Carolyn, Silas Taphorn; Asher Esala; Emmett Esala-Osborn; and brother Dr. Daniel (Karen) Schultz, Eaton, OH. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Rev. Arthur and Norma Schultz, and brothers Alan, Nathan, and Paul Schultz. A celebration of life for Deb will be May 9, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1621 Francisco Road, Columbus, OH. An interment later will be in Monroe, Michigan.

Donations in Deb’s honor and memory are encouraged to Lutheran Bible Translators, PO Box 789, Concordia, MO 64020, lbt.org; Atonement Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, 1621 Francisco Road, Columbus, OH 43220, alccolumbus.org; Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio, 5200 Upper Metro Pl #170, Dublin, OH 43017, alz.org/centralohio;  or your favorite charity.