Wayne N. Russell

Wayne N. Russell, 89 of Franklin, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2004 at home surrounded by his family. Born on April 7, 1935 in Oil City, Wayne was the son of Clarence and Velma Lucille Russell.

Wayne graduated from Cranberry High School in 1953 where he was active in sports, participating in both baseball and basketball. He was known for his left-handed pitching abilities and as the tall highscoring center with the left-hand push in basketball. In 1952, his team won the tri-county league championship and went on to play in the AA quarterfinals. He often recalled with regret that the Berries lost to Slippery Rock in a close match of 65-69. As a young man, Wayne enjoyed coaching Little League and later in life would encounter former “Little Leaguers” who, by that time, had families of their own.

Wayne married his high school sweetheart, the former Janis Mae Stover, on June 18, 1955 in Fertigs, PA. Janis proceeded him in death in 2004. They shared 4 daughters and nearly 49 years of marriage. Wayne was a caring husband and father who raised his children with equal parts love and laughter and mostly left the discipline to their mother. On rare occasions, when he raised his voice, it was well deserved.

Wayne worked numerous jobs in his youth including packing groceries at Loblaws in Oil City, pumping gas at Jones Service Station in Franklin and several other short-lived endeavors. Early on, he was able to apprentice as a pattern maker at Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company in Franklin. This began a life-long passion for woodworking. After working as a pattern maker for more than a decade, Wayne was able to parlay his skills into a foundry manager position for Wean United in Youngstown, Ohio in 1974. He made countless lifelong friends while there and retired in 2000 after 26 years.
Wayne will be remembered for his sense of humor, his endless inquisitiveness and interest in technology, his love of a good and often not so good joke, and his passion for his family. He enjoyed playing golf, card games, watching football, antiquing and working in his workshop.

Left to treasure his memory are Pamela (Kevin) Lantz, Michelle (Larry) Forrest, Denise Russell and Lisa (Jeff) Tawney all of Franklin. In addition, he is survived by 6 grandchildren – Adam (Jessica) Gagliotti of Loganville, GA; Brian (Haley) Lantz of Industry, PA; Allison McCall of Cranberry, PA; Jessica (Jon) Richardson of Franklin, PA; Katie Gagliotti of New Wilmington, PA and Olivia Tawney of Franklin PA; as well as 8 great-grandchildren – Aubrey Gagliotti; Rowan, Mackenzie, Parker and Knox Lantz; Ella and Emma McCall and Kennedy Richardson. A sister Carol (Bill) Pedley of Tippery, PA and a brother Jack (Kris) of Rochester, NY also survive. Wayne also leaves behind a very dear friend, Joyce Bleakley, with whom he shared many good times.

In addition to his wife and parents, Wayne was preceded in death by a sister Constance Hadden.

Services for Wayne are private and arrangements are under the care of the Gardinier-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA 16323.

Wayne will be laid to rest next to his wife in Graham Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 1119 Park Avenue, Suite 7, Meadville PA, 16335.