Angeline Sandy Herrel

Angeline "Sandy" Herrel, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on June 17, 2026, in the city where her life began.

She introduced herself to the world as Sandy, a nod to her middle name, Sandra, but she answered to many names. To her friends and family she was Sam. To her children she was Mom, to her grandchildren Grandma, and to the many who sought her counsel she was "Aunt Sam." The nickname's origin was never fully settled. Most assumed it began as a way to tell her apart from her mother, Angeline, whose name she shared. However it started, it suited her and it stuck.

Sam's happiness was never complicated. It looked like a full table of family and friends, a good romance novel she couldn't put down, and a quilt slowly taking shape in her lap. She loved gathering the people she cared about, cooking for them, and stitching together something warm and lasting, much like she did with the people in her life.

Over her career with the State of Ohio's Department of Administrative Services, she worked her way from an entry-level role to senior management position in procurement, earning a reputation for hard work, honesty, and doing things the right way.

Sam rarely commanded a room, and never tried to. She didn't need to. She made people feel seen by actually seeing them, asking the next question, remembering the answer, and circling back later to ask how it all turned out. Family and friends came to her for advice, and she gave it the way she gave everything: gently, honestly, and to the point.

She had a way of putting things in perspective. "It is what it is," she'd say, and somehow it always helped. Behind those five plain words was a woman who met life with grace, took people as they were, and loved her family without condition.

Sam was preceded in death by her husband of more than 40 years, Michael Herrel; her parents, Edward and Angeline Ackley; and her sister, Rosemary "Cindy" Selvey.

She is survived by her children, Matthew (Jennifer) Herrel, Alaina (Michelle) Deighan, Stacy Herrel, and Darrel (Lisa) Herrel; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and others she lovingly considered family.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Friends may call Monday, June 22 from 3-7pm at  JERRY SPEARS FUNERAL HOME of HILLIARD, 5471 Frazell Road, where service will be held 1pm Tuesday. Entombment St. Joseph Cemetery.

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