Russell E. Dearth, 87, died on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 8:40 p.m. at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.

He was born on March 15, 1934, in Ada, to the late Jasper Earl and Aezelda B. (Robnolte) Dearth.  On June 6, 1959, Russell married Karen J. Amstutz and she survives in LaFayette.

Russell was a technician at Proctor & Gamble of Lima, retiring in 1994 after 26 years. He was a member of the Congregational Christian Church of LaFayette. Russell was a graduate of Ada High School class of 1952. He was a former council member and mayor of LaFayette.  He was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War from 1952 to 1953 and from 1955 to 1958.  

Also surviving are two sons: Mitchell “Mick” Dearth of Lima and Darrell (Judy) Dearth of Harrod; a daughter, Susan (Stephen) Ewing of Westminister; seven grandchildren: Jamie Smith, Jennifer Friesner, Greg Gross, Brittany Asbury, Matthew Dearth, Joe Dearth and Brianna Dearth; nine great grandchildren; two brothers:  Tom (Janice) Dearth of Ada and John (Anita) Dearth of Ada; and two sisters: Kate Bear of Lima and Esther (John) Penhorwood of Mansfield.

He was preceded in death by a son, Bryan Dearth in 1989; three brothers: Don Dearth, Justin “Jud” Dearth and Gerald A. “Jerry” Dearth; four sisters: Dorothy Kramer, Eilene Padgett, LaDonna Greer and Janet Gault.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 21, at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada, with Pastor Charles Moeller officiating. 

Burial will be in Thompson Cemetery, Bluffton, with graveside military honors conducted by the Ada VFW Post #9381 Honor Guard.

The funeral service for Russell will be live streamed on the Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services Facebook Page beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 21.    

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Congregational Christian Church of LaFayette.