Wilma Russ Obituary

Wilma "Nip" Jean (Doerner) Russ

Aug 24, 1929 - Dec 12, 2022

Milan

Wilma "Nip" Jean (Doerner) Russ, 93, residing in Milan, passed away early Monday morning, Dec. 12, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family.

Nip was born Aug. 24, 1929, in Milan, to the late Gustav Adolph and Lucinda (Smith) Doerner.

Nip was the last living member of her 1947 graduating class from Milan High School. She has previously been employed at Milan Steel, before retiring as the secretary from Tenneco in Milan. Nip was one of the longest members of Edison Memorial United Methodist Church. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, and Mothers Club member. Nip loved to follow her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's sporting events. She also enjoyed gardening, traveling, playing pinochle, and boating on Lake Erie.

Grandma enjoyed summer days entertaining family and friends at their pool with squirt cheese and crackers, the best iced tea, and ice cream bars for dessert. We will always cherish the good memories made from her generous hosting during the Melon Festival.

Nip is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Tom) Gfell of Milan; son, Gary (Lisa) Russ of Gahanna; grandchildren, Laura (Ryan) Kerns of Galena, James (Brooke) Gfell of Norwalk, Amanda (Ryan) Norling of New Brighton, Minnesota, Jason (Maureen) Russ of Liberty Center, Rachel (Rodney) Merrick of Hilliard, and Kevin (Heather) Riggleman of Cincinnati; great-grandchildren, Everett and Weston Gfell, Andrew "AJ" and Jenna Kerns, Owen and Elin Norling, Addison, Carmen, and Harper Russ, and Regan and Quinn Riggleman; sisters, Doris Quayle, June Weilnau, and Marian Webb; brother, Robert Doerner, all of Milan; sisters-in-law, Kathleen LaVine and Juanita Lambert, both of Milan; brother-in-law, James Haas of Norwalk; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In addition to her parents, Nip was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Robert Russ; grandson, Matthew Gfell; brothers, William (Lela), Russell (June), Lewis (Kathryn), and Donald (Amelia); sister-in-law, Nancy Doerner; sisters, Helen (Arlie Kosman and Cal) Mittower, Dorothy (Leonard) Haag, Marjorie (Stephen Henry and Cal) Mittower, and Judy Haas; and brothers-in-law, Warren Burras, Loren Weilnau, Marvin Webb, William Lambert, and Andre LaVine.

Friends may call 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory Milan Chapel, 1 S. Main St., Milan. Friends may also call 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, until the time of Nip's memorial services at 11 a.m. at Edison Memorial United Methodist Church, 10 E. Church St., Milan. The Rev. Dr. Diane Bell will officiate. Burial will follow at Milan Cemetery, Milan.

Those wishing to contribute to Nip's memory may do so to Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870, or Edison Memorial United Methodist Church, 10 E. Church St., Milan, Ohio, 44846.

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