PETER CAMPBELL ESSELBURNE, age 80, went to be with Our Lord on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Valley View Care Center in Frankfort after a long illness. He was born on September 27, 1944, in Canton, Ohio and was the son of the late Peter and Frances Campbell Esselburne. On December 15, 1979, at St. Catherine's Church in Bexley, Ohio he married the former Mary Jane Bourner, who survives.

Pete was a graduate of Parks College, St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri and Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. He worked as an attorney at the Bureau of Workers Compensation and for the State of Ohio Department of Agriculture for over twenty-eight years.

Pete and his wife Mary Jane were true dog lovers. They adopted labrador retrievers from the Circleville, Ohio Pet Shelters and loved giving each one of the five dogs successive homes. Pete gave devoted care to Molly, a yellow lab whom they especially cherished and lived with them for nine years and was a joy to have.

Pete loved to read and was a writer as well and had written several articles that were published in "Home Shop Machinist Magazine" as well as the "Machinist Shop Magazine", complete with text and photos of his projects. He also matted and framed many pictures in their home.

Pete was a member of a target shooting club and enjoyed good fellowship with other members in that organization. His parents were the owners of the Columbus Flying School and Pete received his pilot's license at a young age and enjoyed flying for fun. He volunteered at the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio where he was responsible, along with two others, for covering the famed "Memphis Belle" with fabric for its preservation.

Pete and Mary Jane shared an interest in travel and loved to travel in the Western States, especially to Wyoming. They also traveled to Alaska, England and Scotland. In addition, they took short jaunts throughout the state of Ohio and to the Amish Country. Pete's home on the farm though was where he was always the happiest. Pete Will be remembered as a loving and caring husband.

In addition to his loving wife of forty-five years, survivors include his sister, Anne Esselburne Sheeran of Grand Junction, Colorado; his cousins, Edward Laws of Louisiana and Emily Stoudt of Texas; his sisters in-law, Joanne (John) O'Donnell of Bay Village, Ohio and Cathy Hess of Charlotte, North Carolina. Also surviving are his nieces and nephews, Susan (Bishoy) Mikhail of Bay Village, Ohio, Jeff (Kara) O'Donnell of Cleveland Heights, Kristin (Charles) James of South Carolina, John Hess of Charlotte, North Carolina Ohio, and Dr. Phil Jr. (Pamela) Hess of Florida and a host of many friends.

In addition to his parents, Pete is preceded in death by his infant baby sister and his brother in-law, Dr. Phil Hess, Sr.

Friends may visit with the family at the St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Following visitation, A Mass of Christian Burial with the Rev. Fr. C.M. Haddad officiating will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. with interment to follow at the Washington Cemetery. In keeping with Pete's wishes cremation was observed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Pete's name are suggested to the Pickaway County Dog Shelter, 21253 Ringgold Southern Road, Circleville, Ohio 43113.

A luncheon will be served by the Women of St. Colman back at the church, inside the Parish Hall and all are welcome.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Summers Funeral Home.

Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.summersfuneralhome.com

Pickaway County Dog Shelter
21253 Ringgold Southern Road, Circleville OH 43113
Tel: 1-740-474-3741
Web: http://www.pickaway.org/offices/dog-shelter/