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James ‘Jim’ H. Russell

James “Jim” H. Russell, 81, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022 after a brief illness. Born in East Liverpool, Ohio on August 11, 1940, Jim was the son of the late Roland “Ral” and Mary (Chamberlin) Russell. He lived his entire life in the Wellsville / East Liverpool area. Jim worked in the dairy business with his father delivering milk for the family owned Russell’s Dairy. When the family sold the dairy he became a branch manager and salesman for Superior Dairy. Jim owned and operated Russell’s Ashland Service Station and Russell’s Mini Marts. In retirement, he worked for the Columbiana County Auditor’s office as a deputy auditor.

After graduating from Wellsville High School in 1958, Jim and his brother officiated many high school basketball games for the Ohio High School Athletic Association. As a member of the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce, he was named Citizen of the Year in 2000. He served as a volunteer fireman for the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department where he held every office in the organization during his 20 year involvement. He served on the Columbiana County Planning Commission and was most recently president of the Calcutta Cemetery Board. Jim was an active member of the Calcutta United Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder.

Jim is survived by his wife of 62 years, Becky (Thompson) Russell; his daughters Ginny (Scott) Chamberlain and Betsy (Andy) Kithas; and his son Rodney (Melissa) Russell, all of Calcutta; as well as his brother Jerry (Helen) Russell of Belpre, OH and his sister-in-law Dottie Pike and brother-in-law Jerry (Freda)Thompson, also of Calcutta.

Left to cherish his memory are grandchildren Brittany Russell Miller, Ashley Russell (RJ) Smith, Jimmy Russell, Rachel Chamberlain (Toby) Mattern, Matthew Chamberlain, and Lauren and Tyler Kithas; as well as his great-grandchildren Landon, Easton, Whitnee, Brandon, and Kali. Several nieces and nephews and extended family, Soni and Jamie Livolsi, Denny Miller, and Mike and Candy Solterbeck also survive Jim.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his parents-in-law Herb and Mary Thompson, as well as his nephew, James Brian Russell.

Family will be present to receive friends at the Martin Chapel of the Care Funeral and Cremation Specialist in Calcutta on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Services will also be held at the Martin Chapel on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Allan Drake, of Living Word of Plum, PA, officiating. Burial will follow in the Calcutta Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Calcutta Cemetery, 47980 Calcutta Smithferry Road, East Liverpool.

6/27/22