Esther L. Ristaneo

Esther Lee Ristaneo of Middletown passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025, at the age of 88 at Ohio’s Hospice of Butler and Warren County. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and a friend to many and will be missed tremendously.

Esther was born in Lewisville, Ohio to parents Roosevelt Nicodemus and Edna Ann (Kuhn) Masciarelli on January 16, 1937. She was preceded in death by both parents; sisters Marilyn Joan Bishop, Mary Evelyn Davis, Carol Diana Minoski and Julia; brothers Nicodemus Alexander, Thomas and James; daughter Becky Andersen and grandsons Jonathan Couch, Sean and Jason Distler.

She was a Cincinnati Reds fan who rarely missed a game and loved cheering on her team. Nothing, however, brought her more joy than watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. She was their biggest supporter, always in the stands with pride in her eyes.

She cherished her lunches with her girlfriends, where laughter, stories, and friendship filled the table. A talented cook, she made every meal feel like home, and her kitchen was a place where everyone felt welcome.

In her younger years, she bowled in a local league and enjoyed the camaraderie as much as the competition. Music was another constant in her life — country, jazz and blues — and she especially loved listening to Alan Jackson, Bob Seger, and Eric Clapton. Her taste in music reflected her spirit: warm, soulful, and full of heart.

She worked for Aeronca, contributing to the production of components for major aerospace companies like Boeing and Airbus. She took pride in knowing her hands helped build parts that would travel across the world and into the skies. Later, she spent many years assembling store displays for Hamilton Fixture, where her attention to detail and steady work ethic made her a valued part of the team. In addition to her manufacturing work, she also served as the manager of several apartment buildings. She handled her responsibilities with patience, fairness, and a genuine care for the people who called those apartments home.

Esther leaves to cherish her loving memory, her husband James Ristaneo, sister Judy Kay Biedenbach, brother William Patrick (Patty) Masciarelli; children Debra (Michael P. Hollon) Manning, Donald (Sharon) Distler II, Chris (Shelley) Distler, Dave (Angel) Distler, Jaime (Shawn) Swallow, Lisa (Chad) Tinkham. Grandchildren Eric Andersen, Summer Couch, Donnie (Elizabeth) Distler, Stephanie (Lesley) Torsell, Jennifer (Sean) Burke, Brenden (Jahayra) Distler, Branden Distler, Breanna Distler, Phillip Distler, Matt (Amanda) Distler, Tara Swallow, Julia Swallow, Miya Swallow, Alanna Tinkham, Aleah Grace Tinkham and 24 great-grandchildren and a great-great grandson.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, December 12. 2025 at 11:00am at Holy Family Parish-St John Church, 1405 1st Avenue, Middletown, OH, with Father John Civille as celebrant.

Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Madison Township.

Memorial contributions can be made to Holy Family Parish.