Russell Thomas West

Russell Thomas West, age 61, of Dennison, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2012 in The Cleveland Clinic following a month of declining health.Born in Dover on May 19, 1950, he is the son of Viola Mae (Dainty) West of New Philadelphia and the late Howard Frances West.On April 11, 1971, Russell married the former Karen Sue Stansbery and celebrated 36 years of marriage together before her death on February 14, 2008.After graduating from New Philadelphia High School, Russell began his professional career, working for the former Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., now Graphic Packaging International the majority of his career.He greatly enjoyed following The Ohio State Buckeyes and also loved spending time with his grandchildren. Russell was also a member of the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510.Russell is survived by his two children Christina (William) Meese of Dennison and Eric West of Sherrodsville; his grandchildren, Ryan, Hunter, Alexis and Brock Meese; his sisters, Joyce (Larry) Knoll of Grove City, O. and Elizabeth Meechan of New Philadelphia; his brother, William (Darlene) West of Dover; his fiance, Abby Whitenack of Dennison; his brothers-in-law, Carl (Eileen) Stansbery, and William Stansbery, both of Dennison; his sisters-in-law, Tina (Rusty) Walters of Dennison and Wanda (Gordon) Gilmore of Albany, O.; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.In addition to his father and wife, Russell was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, David Stansbery.Visitation will be held Sunday, January 8, 2012 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia from 1 to 4 p.m. A service celebrating his life will be held in the funeral home’s chapel on Monday, January 9 beginning at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Henry Mooney officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Friends and family are invited to the Nu Hall Dance Center on Green Ridge Road in Dennison following the burial where a meal will be shared.Memorial contributions in memory of Russell may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.