Russell J. Wenger, age 98, passed away on December 3, 2022. He was born in 1924 in Wakarusa, Indiana and moved to Ohio in 1937. He worked for Tellings Belle Vernon Farm for two years then worked at the Meadow Holme’s Farm on Fullertown (Sperry) Road, where he met Doris J. Russell, who lived with her parents on a 80 acre farm owned by her father, mother, and uncle. Russell graduated from Russell School in 1942 and moved back to Indiana, where he enlisted into the Army. Basic training at Camp Perry, Ohio took him to North Africa, Italy, the Panama Canal, and the Philippines, working in the quarter master laundry. He was honorably discharged and came back to Ohio, where he married Doris on August 24th, 1946. They bought a cabin on her parents farm in 1947, where they raised two children Barbara L. and Russell G. (Rusty) Wenger. Russell worked at Willard Storage and Battery from 1946 to 1960 until it moved to Indiana. He worked at Lubrizol in Wickliffe from 1960 until he retired in 1989 as a stationary engineer in the boiler room. Russell (Junior to the older relatives) loved his family and was an excellent father and husband. Doris and Russell were married for 75 years and lived in the same cabin on Sperry Road until they were both transferred to Maplewood of Chardon assisted living in 2021. Russell loved to fish (he had many Fish Ohio pins) and enjoyed all types of hunting. He was an avid gardener for many years and enjoyed making soups with Doris in their kitchen. Russell was preceded in death by his beloved wife Doris; siblings John, Eunice, and Helen; and great-grandson Samuel Wenger. He is survived by his children Barbara (Russell) White and Russell G. “Rusty” (Cindy) Wenger; grandchildren Lori (Russell) Moody, Scott (Stacy) White, Kate (Paul Mecklenburg) Wenger, Benjamin Wenger, and Luke (Jamie) Wenger; and thirteen great-grandchildren. Family and friends are welcome at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland 44026 on Friday December 9th, 2022 from 10am- 12 Noon. Interment at Chester Township Cemetery, Chesterland. Donations in Russell’s name can be made to Christ Presbyterian Church https://www.christpcusa.org/ or Hospice of the Western Reserve https://www.hospicewr.org/ or by clicking on the links below.
