Thomas Scott Gustin, 81, dies at Chillicothe home after extended illness

Thomas Scott “Tom” Gustin, 81, passed from this life at 8:50 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2026 at his residence following an extended illness, Ware Funeral Home reported. The funeral home listed his residence as Chillicothe, Ohio and posted the obituary on February 19, 2026.

Gustin was born March 3, 1944, and lived 81 years, according to his memorial pages on Ware Funeral Home and Echovita. Those sites present his lifespan as March 3, 1944 - February 19, 2026 and reflect the family’s announcement of his death.

He is survived by his wife, W. Jean Gustin, described by Ware Funeral Home as “his devoted wife and life partner of 61 years and mother of his 4 children.” The obituary names three surviving adult children: Chris Gustin (Fe) of Daytona, Florida; Mike Gustin of Chillicothe; and Kelley Hoschar (John) of Chillicothe. The funeral-home listing and Echovita note that one daughter, Stephanie Jo Gustin, predeceased him.

Grandchildren named in the obituary include Scotlyn Gustin of Logan, Ohio; Heath Sigler (Emily) of Chillicothe; Ryan Sigler (Emma) of Chillicothe; and Koby Gustin of Daytona. The family’s list of great-grandchildren includes Peightyn, Mason, Kinsley, Creed and Sadie Jane, with two additional great-grandchildren expected this summer, Ware Funeral Home and Echovita state.

Ware Funeral Home’s obituary also lists relatives who predeceased Gustin, including his parents E. Scott Gustin and D. Marie Gustin, his sister Shirley and brother-in-law Howard Dillon, and his parents-in-law Pat and Dorothy McCorkle. The survivor list names a sister Melanie and a brother-in-law Ryan Gregg.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ware Funeral Home, 121 W. Second Street, Chillicothe, OH 45601. Friends may call Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with funeral services to follow at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Phil Rutherford will officiate, and burial will follow at Louisville Cemetery, 4522 Louisville Rd., Peebles, Ohio, Adams County, per the Ware Funeral Home notice. The funeral home directs visitors to sign the online register at warefh.com and offers flower and tree-planting options through its floral store.

The obituary for Gustin also appears on Legacy and Echovita memorial pages, where family and neighbors have posted condolences, and was printed in The People’s Defender on February 22, 2026 and listed in the Chillicothe Gazette obituaries for Feb. 20-21, 2026. Ware Funeral Home’s obituary page includes grief-support information and options for submitting memories and floral tributes.