Very Reverend Archpriest Daniel W. Rentel

UPPER ARLINGTON - Very Reverend Archpriest Daniel W. Rentel, of Upper Arlington, Ohio, fell asleep in the Lord on February 7, 2023 at age 83, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 16, 1939, the youngest child of Victor and Mary Rentel, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Victor Rentel. He is survived by his wife, Elaine (Holovach) Rentel; his brother Llewellyn Rentel; his daughter Dr. Victoria Rentel (Brad Britton) and their children George and Lydia; his daughter Judith (Jeffrey) Smith and their children Gabrielle and Justine; and his son, the Very Rev. Dr. Alexander (Nancy) Rentel, and their children Dimitrios, Maria and Daniel, plus numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, all of whom will miss him dearly. Father Daniel was raised in Altoona and often talked fondly about his childhood. His ties to his extended family there were strong. He undertook theological studies at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, PA, and Christ the Savior Carpatho-russian Orthodox Seminary in Johnstown, PA. He went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and earned his M.A. in Byzantine History from The Ohio State University. He also did extensive work toward a PH.D in Byzantine History at OSU. In September 1962 two important life events occured: he married his wife Elaine and he was ordained as an Eastern Orthodox priest. He went on to found various parishes in Pennsylvania and Ohio, the last being the Orthodox Church of St. Gregory of Nyssa in the OSU campus area, where he served as the beloved priest until retirement in 2011. He ultimately became Dean of the Columbus Deanery and was respected by his fellow clergy who also enjoyed his warmth and humor. In 1978, he added a new profession to his already busy life of priesthood and father, that of a middle school social studies teacher in Columbus City Schools, and somewhat to his surprise, he found that nurturing his students became yet another calling. In the last decades, he added the title “Grandpa”: his seven grandchildren will remember fondly his cheesy eggs, his cinnamon rolls, his singing, his haranguing phone calls, his great hugs, and the many other ways he showed his love. On Friday, February 10, 2023, visitors will be received from 2:00 - 4:00 at St. Gregory of Nyssa Church, 2219 Summit St, Columbus, OH 43201. The Funeral for a Priest will be served at 6:00pm. On Saturday February 11, at 8:00am, a Hierarchical Liturgy will be served at St. Gregory’s followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Lewis Center, OH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Mary Rentel Education Fund c/o The Columbus Foundation, 1234 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43205.