Russell T. Ruoff

Russell T. Ruoff, age 87, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2009. He was born in Grove City on January 2, 1922, to the late Edward and Emma Ruoff, and he was raised in Grove City. After graduating from Grove City High School where he was involved in several sports, Russ went to work as a farmer. He met his wife of 64 years, June, at the Georgesville Square Dance, an activity that they continued for many years. Russ also enjoyed fishing and hunting, and he looked forward to his yearly hunting trip to West Virginia. He also enjoyed participating in tractor pulls, once winning first place in Ohio, and loved his annual trip to the Texas rodeo. He was also an avid card player, especially Euchre. While farming, Russ also went to work for Franklin County as a foreman of maintenance, and he retired after 20 years. He was a longtime member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, as well as the VFW, Knights of Pythias, and the Harrisburg Senior Citizens. He could fix anything, and he loved mingling with his neighbors. But most of all, he loved his family, and he had a special bond with his grandchildren. Russ is survived by his loving wife, June; children, Dawn (Fred) Rogers, Ted (Susan) Ruoff, Lorna (Stan) Lusk, and Peggy Frebault; grandchildren, Brad, Rusty (Teri), Barbie, Kathy (Todd), Nikki (Paul), and Heather (Dustin); 12 great grandchildren; brother, Ray Ruoff; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by siblings, Hilda (Howard) Billman, Ralph (Evelyn) Ruoff, Herb (Dorothy) Ruoff, and sister-in-law, Betty Ruoff. Family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday at SCHOEDINGER NORRIS CHAPEL, 3920 Broadway, Grove City. On Friday, November 20, 2009, friends may call from 12-1 p.m. at the funeral home, where a funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Russ.