Cheryl Loraine Botkin

Cheryl Loraine Botkin Obtiuary

BOTKIN, Cheryl Loraine 63, of Columbus, Ohio, died Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 9:48 p.m. in her residence in the care of Capital City Hospice and in the presence of her significant other, Kevin Johnson, and their beloved Boston bull terrier, Lucy. She is survived by Kevin, her son Joshua Andrew Kinnison, her brother Gary, and many loving and devoted friends.

Cheryl was born on Sunday, January 21, 1962, at St. Rita’s Hospital in Lima, Ohio—daughter to Larry and Ann (Russell) Botkin and little sister to Gary. The family resided at 614 Main St. in Ottawa, Ohio (Putnam County) before building and moving into their dream residence at 921 E. 10th St. in Ottawa.

Cheryl’s father, Lawrence Warfield Botkin, was born 13 May 1923 in Charleston, West Virginia and served behind enemy lines in the Philippines as a paratrooper during World War II. He was a supervisor at Sylvania Electric Company. Cheryl’s mother, Mary Ann, a registered nurse, was born 14 August 1924 in Paulding, Ohio. Cheryl’s parents preceded her in death, Ann in 1989 and Larry in 1994.

Cheryl graduated from Ottawa-Glandorf High School in 1980 where she had been a member of the girls’ basketball team and a saxophonist for the Titans’ marching and pep bands. She sang the starring role of Ella in the spring musical Bells are Ringing her senior year.

Cheryl graduated Suma Cum Laude from Wittenberg University, Class of 1984, with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in English and Music. She was a course assistant for her advisor, Dr. Joseph Bindley, and was active as a mentor in the “Poli Sci” department. She was elected an officer in the political science club. She served as a Resident Advisor for two years in Ferncliff Hall. She played piano for several of the musicals at Wittenberg, notably Shine it On! and Shenandoah!

Cheryl secured, with honors, her ABA certification from the Lawyer’s Assistant Program of The National Center for Paralegal Training in 1984 and began her work as a paralegal with Porter, Wright, Morris, and Arthur in February of 1985. Cheryl worked for Porter Wright until moving to Lamkin, Van Eman, Trimble, Beals & Dougherty in 1992. From 2010-16, she worked at Colley, Shroyer & Abraham. Beginning in 2016 she worked at Yacobozzi Drakatos, LLC. She finished her career there.

Cheryl was valued at work for her expertise in both plaintiff and defendant litigation, featuring medical negligence, personal injury, and product liability. Her meticulous approach to research and preparation left no stone unturned in terms of client contacts, case management, and the gathering, organization, and analysis of medical records. Cheryl excelled at drafting leadings and discovery responses. Her clear-headed management of large, complex cases made her invaluable at trial. For these reasons and more, attorneys appreciated having Cheryl at their elbows during proceedings.

Cheryl spent her free time hiking, gardening, landscaping, listening to music, and reading. She liked watching thunderstorms approach across the fields near her home. Cheryl enjoyed traveling to vacation spots with her son Joshua and riding the motorcycle with Kevin to attend events and festivals at MidOhio Sports in Lexington, Ohio.

A memorial service is planned for Cheryl in the 8th-floor auditorium of Wesley Glen Retirement Community, Columbus, OH on Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m.