Thomas E. Russell

Thomas E. Russell, 85, of Brightwood, died Monday, November 1, 2004, at the home of his son in North Canton.A son of the late Alva E. and Carrie (Robb) Russell, Thomas was born on February 24, 1919 at New Philadelphia.He was a 1938 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. Thomas retired from Timken at New Philadelphia after 27 years of service.Thomas was an active member of the Sherrodsville Wesleyan Church, having served as a board member and trustee. He also had a love for gardening.Thomas enlisted with the United States Army on September 3, 1942. During World War II, he served in Sicily and France as well as many other regions. Over the course of his service, Thomas was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, four Bronze Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead. On October 9, 1945, he was honorably discharged from the United States Army.He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy (Mosshart) Russell, whom he married on April 5, 1942; four children, Barry (Mary) Russell of New Philadelphia, Sharon (Dan) Newton of Fairland, Indiana, Rev. Ted (Susan) Russell of North Canton and Kathy (Rick) Nixon of LaPlatta, New Mexico; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Harold Russell of Dover and one sister, Eleanor Adams of Grand Junction, Colorado.Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bob Russell; and one sister Lucille Spahr.Visitation will be Thursday, November 4, 2004, from 5-8pm in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia. A funeral service will be held at the Sherrodsville Wesleyan Church on Friday, November 5, 2004 at 11am with Rev. David Paul officiating. Burial will follow in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens at Dover with the New Philadelphia V.F.W. Post #1445 conducting military honors.A reception will be held at the Geib Family Center following the committal.Those unable to attend may send a personal condolence to the family and sign the online registry by visiting the funeral home website.The family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Sherrodsville Wesleyan Church, 73 North Church Street, Sherrodsville, OH 44675 and/or Hospice of Stark County, 3611 Whipple Avenue NW, Canton, OH 44708