Fourth District Judge Peter Abele passes away; area Central Committees appoint successor

Highland County Republican Party Executive Chair Paulette Donley announced the passing of the Honorable Peter J. Abele, Judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeals, on Sept. 25. He was running for re-election on Nov. 3.

Abele was 69. 

Abele, of Albany, was a judge for the Fourth District for 36 years, having been elected in 1991. His career also included serving as an assistant Vinton County prosecutor, Athens City Prosecutor and referee in the Athens County Common Pleas Court.

Abele is survived by his wife, Kellie, and sons Alex, Chase and Ash. No services will be held.

According to Donley, "The Central Committees of the 14 counties in the Fourth District met Saturday, Oct. 3 and selected and approved Jayme Hartley Fountain as the replacement candidate. She is from Pickaway County and has been the prosecutor there."

Hartley Fountain was elected prosecutor in 2024 after serving as assistant prosecutor for the past 18 years, according to the Pickaway County website. She is a graduate of Logan Elm High School, the University of Kentucky and Capital University.