Malone Alumni News

Melinda Kay Talbott, age 63, of Newark, Ohio, passed away Monday, October 12, 2026, at the OSU James Cancer Hospital. She was born in Newark, Ohio on March 4, 1963, to the late Otto and Viola (Regoli) Talbott. Melinda obtained her undergraduate degree from Malone College and her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. She worked in higher education at several institutions and finally retired from Newark City Schools, Liberty Middle School, in 2024 where she taught health and physical education. In retirement she enjoyed operating her own home decor business, Rula’s, in Berlin, Ohio. Melinda was a devout Christian who attended church regularly. She loved gardening, traveling, and volunteering at the Licking County Humane Society. Melinda is survived by her sister, Darla Talbott; nephew, Blake (Gwen) Talbott; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation will be held from 4PM-7PM Friday, October 16, and 10AM-12PM Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Brucker and Kishler Funeral H...

Claudia Jane Kieselhorst of The Moorings of Gray Oaks in Naples, Florida, formerly of Palmira Golf & CC in Bonita Springs, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2026. Prior to living in Florida, Claudia lived in Catawba Island, Ohio and Annapolis, Maryland. Born on March 8, 1943, in Canton, Ohio, Claudia was the daughter of Parker & Arlene Schafer. Claudia graduated from Hoover High and continued her education at Malone College, where she received her teaching degree, both located in Canton. Claudia taught for over 30 years with most of her career at Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland. Claudia was married to James (Jim) Kieselhorst for 52 years before his passing in 2022. Their life was filled with countless dear friends and family. They enjoyed traveling, sailing and power boating on Lake Erie and the Chesapeake Bay. They led a very active social life in Florida and loved calling it their home. Claudia was a wonderful person and always the first to lend ...

More than two decades after starring on the softball field for New Philadelphia, Sarah Schmidt is returning to her alma mater as the Quakers’ new head softball coach. A 2002 New Philadelphia graduate, Sarah was a four-year varsity letterwinner and three-time first-team All-East Central Ohio League selection. She helped lead the Quakers to the regional final as a freshman in 1999 and was part of ECOL championship teams in 1999 and 2000. Sarah continued her playing career here at Malone University from 2003-06, where she established herself as one of the program’s top hitters. She led the Pioneers with a .387 batting average and a .996 fielding percentage as a senior.  Sarah's name remains featured multiple times among Malone’s top 10 career and single-season statistical records. Previously Sara coached at both the high school and youth levels. She served as an assistant coach at Garaway from 2007-09 before returning to New Philadelphia, where she was an assistant from 2010-12....