Former Defiance Resident Dorothy (Dort) Russell made her journey to heaven on February 15, 2014. As a local resident she was a member of the First Baptist Church. She had been a resident of Denver, Colorado, since 2005, where she enjoyed being near her daughter Jane, and family.

As a resident of Defiance she worked at All Star Products, retiring in 1972. Everyone who knew Dort, enjoyed her laughter and great sense of humor. She was born in Highland Township on April 16, 1919. She is preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Darius (Dewey) Russell, parents, Claude and Sadie (Colwell) Winterhalder, brothers Clyde, Harold, Donald Winterhalder, and sisters Mildred McBroom and Nellie Hahn, and grandson, Trevor Russell.

She is survived by a son, Eugene Russell and daughter-in-law Carole (Galusha) Russell , Ninety Six, SC; a daughter Jane D. (Russell) Cunningham and son-in-law Richard N. Cunningham, Aurora, Colorado. She was loved and cherished by grandchildren; Josette Russell, Todd Russell, Nichole Kovacik, Adam Cunningham, Jeremy Cunningham. Nine great-grandchildren will miss her influence.

Her memorial service will be at Schaffer Funeral home on February 28, 2014, at 1:00 PM with visitation preceding the service at 10:00 AM. Her five grandchildren; Adam Cunningham, Jeremy Cunningham, Josette Russell, Todd Russell, Nichole (Russell) Kovacik, will serve as her pallbearers. Graveside service will be at the Mausoleum at Riverview Memory Gardens following the memorial service.

The family requests memorial contributions be given to American Diabetes Association.