×

Leslie W. Russell 1923-2013

MILAN – Leslie W. Russell, 89, passed away early Sunday morning, March 3, 2013, at The Commons of Providence.

Les W. Russell was born Oct. 18, 1923, in Warren, the son of the late Lee W. and Hazel A. Russell.

Les was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School Class of 1941. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II from 1942 to 1946, and moved to Milan in 1954.

During his business career, he owned and operated the following businesses: Milan Dari-Bar for three years, the Milan Inn from 1960 to 1969, Milan Village Realty for 18 years and Appraisal Services Inc. from 1979 to 1984.

Mr. Russell was past president and director of the Milan Chamber of Commerce; and past president, secretary, and treasurer of the Erie County Board of Realtors (co-founded the Multiple Listing Service). He was elected as Realtor of the Year, and was a member of the Huron County Board of Realtors.

He served on the Advisory Board of Society Bank and was a member of The Association of Certified Appraisers. He was a former member of The Sandusky Yacht Club, Plumbrook Country Club, Silver Springs Shores Country Club, American Legion in Warren, Elks Lodge No. 730 in Norwalk and the Milan Rotary Club.

He was a founding fellow of the Bowling Green State University’s Firelands Campus in Huron, past president of the Ohio Buckeyes Motor Home Club, past president of the Milan Historical Museum, having served as a trustee on the museum board for 43 years.

Les received the Milan Community Service Award in 1996, and was named the first honorary Veggie U board member during an Earth To Table Dinner. Mr. Russell was a member of Milan Presbyterian Church.

Les is survived by his son, Gregory (Becky) W. Russell of Louisville, Ohio; a daughter, Sally A. Crow of Sandusky; a brother, Dr. Ted A. Russell of Warren; two grandchildren, Brad (Carrie) Crow and Tiffany (Hector) Arellano; and three great-grandchildren, Madissen and Kennedy Crow, and Natalia Arellano.

Including his parents, Les was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Letty Fisher Russell; and his sisters, Aleetha Stone of Carey, Ill., and Virginia Wollam of Columbus.

Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Groff Funeral Home and Crematory Milan Chapel. Burial was in the Milan Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Russell’s name may be made to Stein Hospice Care Center, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870, or Back to the Wild, Box 423, Castalia, OH 44824.

Online condolences may be sent to www.grofffuneralhomes.com.

(special notice)