Roe W. Russell, Jr.

When tomorrow starts without me, try to understand, an angel came and called my name, then took me by the hand….Roe W. Russell, Jr., 77, of RR 3, Rome, Pa passed away Friday morning, February 5, 2010 at the Skilled Nursing Unit of the Towanda Memorial Hospital. A life long and well respected resident of Rome, Roe was born on March 27, 1932; a son of the late Eunice (Lewis) and Roe W. Russell, Sr. He was a graduate of Rome High School Class of 1950 where he had participated on the baseball and basketball teams. On January 20, 1951 he married Mary Ross and together they celebrated fifty-nine years of happiness. For many years, he owned and operated the family dairy farm in Rome. Roe was a member of the North Rome Wesleyan Church where he served on the church board. In addition, he also served on the Rome Cemetery Board, was a longtime member of the North East Bradford School Board, served as a delegate for Eastern Milk Producers and for many years was a school bus driver for Northeast Bradford, Sayre and Towanda school systems. Roe and Mary will be remembered for their generosity by opening their home to many community activities and their hearts to many children. Together, Roe and Mary always enjoyed traveling and visiting with others. Roe will be greatly missed by his family, friends and his community. He is survived by his wife Mary; daughters and sons-in-law: Kathy and Leslie Wanck of Hornbrook; Janet and Tod Horton of Rome Twp., grandchildren: Lisa (Michael) Shanks of Towanda; Jason (Dawn) Wanck of Athens, Pa; Jacob Wanck of Hornbrook; Eric (Brittany) Wanck of Acworth, Ga; Benjamin Horton, Brian Horton both of Rome, Pa; great grandchildren: Parker and Graham Wanck of Athens, and soon to be great grandbaby boy Shanks. Nieces and Nephews: Nancy Rockwell (James Smith); Sandra (Donald Swartley of Rome Twp., Edward (Sara) Ross of Atlanta, MI; Scott (Doreen) Ross of Coudersport, NY; Richard (Angie) Rockwell of Athens Twp., Pa; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Shirley Rockwell of Rome, Pa; Robert (Nancy) Ross of S. Waverly, Pa; Gary (Louise) Ross of Montross, Va; Cousin Philip (Sarah) Russell of Tampa, Fla. Roe was predeceased by his parents, brother Lloyd Arthur Russell, an infant daughter and son Richard "Rick" Russell. Family and friends are invited to attend a period of visitation and time of sharing memories on Wednesday, February 10th from 1-3 pm at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols. Funeral services and celebration of his life will follow at 3 pm with his nephew, Pastor Edward Ross, officiating. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family in the Rome Cemetery. Memories and condolences for Roe's family may be shared by visiting our website at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com Those who wish may kindly consider a memorial contribution to the Rome Cemetery, c/o Mrs. Shirley Phillips, PO Box 63, Rome, PA 18837 or the North Rome Wesleyan Church, RR 1 Box 186, Ulster, Pa 18850 in loving memory of Roe W. Russell, Jr.