Betty Jean Russell

May 22, 1927 - June 26, 2008

SHELBY -- Betty Jean Klingel Russell, age 81, a resident of Martin Drive, Shelby, died Thursday, June 26, 2008, in Heritage Care Center after a short illness from complications of cancer.

Born May 22, 1927, in Mifflin Township, Wyandot County, Ohio, to Lloyd G. W. and Lydia M. (Boehm) Klingel, she attended Mifflin School, was a 1945 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School and attended Bowling Green State University.

Mrs. Russell worked her entire adult life, coming to Shelby to work at Miller Products, was then employed with the former Wilkins Air Force Depot, until it closed in 1959. In 1968, she began a career of nearly 20 years as an "Avon Lady" in Cass Township, many times earning awards for sales in her district. She later worked for the Adams, Albert and Curry Insurance Agency, in Shelby, and as a zoning inspector in Sharon Township. She was most recently employed with Experience Works (formerly Green Thumb) in Mansfield from 1998 until 2006.

She married R. Eugene "Ross" Russell on June 8, 1955, and they lived at the Russell family farm on Bowman Street Road, south of Shiloh, where they started their family. Ross and Betty moved to their own farm on Barnes Road, Shiloh, in 1968. After the death of her husband, Betty moved back to Shelby in 1992.

She was a member of the Mt. Hope Lutheran Church, in Shiloh, and was past president and held various offices with Shiloh Town and Country Garden Club, and the Shelby Business and Professional Women. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, was a past president of Unit 325, Shelby, held several offices of Unit 503, Shiloh, and in the 5th District, Department of Ohio.

She always enjoyed returning to Upper Sandusky or "Upper", as she always called it, for her class reunions. When she was in her 70's, she bought a computer and went online and continued to learn the art of e-mails, computer games, and digital photographs. She was the perennial green thumb of the family and continued her gardening, even if on a smaller scale, after she moved to her apartment.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Richard E. and Amy Russell, of Bellevue; two daughters and one son-in-law, Dianne J. Russell and partner, Christina Nichols, of Mt. Rainier, Md., and Karen E. and Gary Holt, of Hilliard; six grandchildren, Benjamin Russell, Katelyn, Sarah and Alex Holt, and Lydia and Kaisa Nichols-Russell; one sister, Ruth Stirm, of Galion; one brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Shirley Klingel, of Bucyrus; two sisters-in-law, Mary and Robert Smith, of Plymouth, and Marie Russell, of Shelby; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd, in 1962, and Lydia, in 2005; her husband, R. "Ross" Eugene Russell, in 1990; three brothers-in-law, Charles Russell, Robert Russell and Arthur Stirm; one sister-in-law, Nita Russell; and a niece, Charla Russell Kuhn.

Friends may call today (Monday, June 30) from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Barkdull Funeral Home, 33 N. Gamble St., Shelby.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Shiloh with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. in Mt. Hope Lutheran Church, 29 W. Main St., Shiloh. The Rev. John Wanamaker will officiate both services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial expressions may be made to Mt. Hope Lutheran Church, 29 W. Main St., Shiloh, OH 44878.

On line condolences may be left at www.barkdullfuneralhome.com.