Russell "Rusty" Louis Miller Jr.

“Rusty” Russell Louis Miller, Jr., age 67, of Jackson Township, rejoiced as he met his Lord on Saturday, January 16, 2021. He was born in Canton on February 2, 1953. 

He was a 1971 graduate of Saint Thomas Aquinas High school and received degrees in Accounting and Finance from Malone College in 1975.  While he attended Malone full time he also worked full time at his “store”, Anne’s Pizza Shop, on Cherry Street in Canton, to help support his mom and siblings because his father was very ill.  Rusty’s first job out of college in 1975 was as an accountant at Hall, Kistler and Company. In 1979 he became employed at Swallen Lahun & Co, then in 1982 as controller at Buckeye Gas before he opened his own tax practice, Pac-Grip Financial Services, Inc. in 1985.

He married Marianne in 1979 and they celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary at Brewster Parke Nursing Home on September 22, 2020.  Rusty was a resident there following a seizure and fall on April 25, 2019 which caused a spinal cord injury that rendered him paraplegic, requiring 24/7 nursing care.  The family is very grateful for the quality care and loving family atmosphere Rusty enjoyed while a resident there. 

Rusty loved to golf, fish, play cards/gamble and travel.  He was fond of animals, especially each of our many dog “children”. He liked Marianne’s backyard Koi but would rather be catching fish for pleasure or eating.  He had a zest for ‘fun, food and fellowship’ with family and friends.  He was a member numerous golf leagues as well as the Elks and Eagles. 

He was a member of Church of The Lakes United Methodist, devoted to Mission projects, especially the outreach at Canton Calvary Mission in Canton on 13th and Gibbs.  He was instrumental in starting and maintaining a Meat Fund at COTL to provide ground beef weekly with the items distributed by the Calvary pantry. 

Rusty was preceded in death by his father, Russell.  He is survived by his wife, Marianne, and three daughters, Audrey, Gretchen (Patrick) Wendell, and Marijo (Max) Sherrill as well as three grandsons Levi Wendell, Jack Wendell and Henry Wendell and one granddaughter, Iona Sherrill.  He is also survived by his mother Pat Wagner, brother Terry (Lisa) Miller, sister Sandy (Mike) Machamer and three nephews (Austin and Brennan Miller, Jacob Machamer).   

Rusty and Marianne were deeply affected by the dismal failure early on to acknowledge the Covid-19 crisis and to harness the USA’s great wealth of brainpower, technology, and medical/social services to minimize the pandemic’s effect.

A private inurnment was held. No decision has been made regarding a Celebration of Life due to Covid-19.  Rusty’s fervent wish was that in lieu of flowers, generous contributions be made in his memory to the Calvary Mission Meat Fund in care of Church of the Lakes at 5944 Fulton Dr. NW; Canton OH 44718.  His motto was that folks should give till it hurts, to benefit those who hurt.

To share a memory or send condolences to the family: www.heitger.com
Heitger Funeral Home and Crematory 330-830-0148
 

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