D. Forsythe

Biography

D. Russell “Russ” Forsythe, 89, of Belle Center, Ohio, passed away February 25, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. from Logan Acres Care Center in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

He was born February 6, 1924, in Huntsville, Ohio to the late Alex R. and Helen M. (Cooke) Forsythe.

On January 17, 1946, he married the former Miriam J. Harrod in Belle Center. After being married for fifty eight years, she preceded him in death April 12, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Thomas A. (Betty) Forsythe and Mary Joan (Harold) Yoder.

Surviving are two daughters, Sandy (David) Miracle of Belle Center and Kathy (Ralph) Root of Zanesfield, Ohio; grandsons, John David “J.D.” (Mindy) Miracle and Joel Bryan (Heidi) Miracle; great grandchildren, Jackson David Grimes, Trey Evan Miracle, Delaney Jo Miracle and Skylar Jo Miracle; step grandchildren, Beth (Chris) Maisenbacher, Ralph (Peggy) Root III, Wesley (Cindy) Root and Bradley Root; great step grandchildren, C.J. and Katina Maisenbacher, Joshua and Justin Root, Zachary and Will Root, Emalie and Maxwell Root and Kiersten Thornton, and several nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Belle Center High School where he held his State Farmer degree and was affiliated with other agriculture organizations. He was a member and elder of the Belle Center United Presbyterian Church and also attended the Belle Center United Methodist Church.

Russ was a farmer and the owner-operator of Forsythe Agri Service. He was a Trustee for Richland Township for nine years, served two terms as a Logan County Commissioner and also served on the Belle Center School Board.

Russ was a fifty year member and Past Master of the Belle Center Masonic Lodge and the Hamma Chapter 312 Order of Eastern Star, a life member of the Farm Bureau Council and Logan County Agrarian Club, a member and President of the Ohio Cattleman’s Association and a member of the Logan County Historical Society. He was an appointed member of National Livestock Meat Board.

Calling hours will be from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, February 28, 2013 at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Belle Center. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 1, 2013 with one hour of visitation prior to the service at the Belle Center United Methodist Church. Rev. Kevin Smith will officiate and interment will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Belle Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Belle Center United Methodist Fellowship Hall 101 S. Center St. Belle Center, OH 43310 or The Homestead at Logan Acres 2739 Co Rd 91 Bellefontaine, OH 43311