Corliss Missioni Obituary

Corliss Wesnitzer Missioni

May 18, 1925 - Sep 12, 2023

Sandusky

"It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

Corliss Wesnitzer Missioni passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, at the young age of 98. Young at heart, young in mind, and young in spirit.

She was born May 18, 1925, in Sandusky, the daughter of Edward and Anna Hanley.

Corliss attended Sandusky High School and The First United Church of Christ, where she sang in the church choir. It was there she was introduced to Joe Wesnitzer Sr. Their eyes met, she recalled, and it was love at first sight. They later married in 1943. As a young bride living in Chicago, Corliss's striking beauty and masterful dancing abilities enabled her to "tap" her way into a brief modeling stint with Coca-Cola. After the war ended, she and Joe moved back to Sandusky and raised two remarkable children, Kathy and Joey.

Joe Sr. preceded her in death in 1975. Corliss later married August "Gake" Missioni. Both enjoyed traveling and wintering in Florida. He passed in 2006.

She was also preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth (Beth) and Earl Schart; and son-in-law, Lee A. Archibald.

Corliss always called Sandusky "home." Born and raised here, she constantly joked about having the same phone number for more than 65 years! A strong woman yet sometimes stubborn, as the matriarch, she was the lifeline of our family. She enriched all our lives. She was a combination of grace, beauty, kindness, laughter, and love. Her infectious cackle filled every room she entered. She never ran out of hugs and never ended a conversation with a goodbye. To her, goodbye meant an ending and never seeing you again. Suiting her better was always the phrase, "Bye for now!"

Corliss's life was her family. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Archibald of Huron; son, Joe (Shirley) Wesnitzer Jr. of Florida; devoted grandchildren, Shelly (Chip) Chesbro of Sandusky, Chad (Heidi) Corso of Sandusky, Susan (Ken) Karcher of Sylvania, Brad (Jennifer) Corso of Amherst, and Holly (David) Thompson of North Carolina; and 11 loving great-grandchildren, Shelby Cook (Victor Silva), Mackenzie, Peighton, Garrett, and Ava Corso, Kendal and Elliott Karcher, Delaney and llah Corso, and Cole and Sedona Thompson.

The family would like to thank the staff at Portland Place for the loving care Corliss received while she was in their care, as well as Southern Care Hospice for their outstanding services.

Visitation for friends and family will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, until the time of Corliss' funeral at 12 p.m. at Groff Funeral Homes and Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky. Pastor Stacy Lauer-Scovanner will preside. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery, Sandusky.

Those who touch our lives will stay in our hearts forever. Mom, Grandma, GG.... "Bye for now!!"

Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com.