Russell W. Mace

Russell W. “Rusty” Mace, 75, of Van Wert, went to be with his Lord at 3:24 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011, at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima.

He was born April 4, 1935, in Van Wert, the son of the late W. Russell and Ella G. (Rise) Mace. On June 20, 1959, he married Janice (Kill) Mace, who survives in Van Wert. He was a loving and devoted husband for 51½ years.

Rusty was owner and operator of Mace Body Shop Inc. from 1961 until he retired in 1997. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1362 in Delphos, Elks Lodge 1197 in Van Wert, Delphos Eagles Aerie 471 in Delphos, Moose Lodge 1473 in Celina, Delphos St. John’s Booster Club and a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos.

He was a lifelong fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns and Delphos St. John’s Blue Jays. He loved traveling in his RV, with many adventures throughout the States with his wife and friends.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three children, David (Melanie) Mace and Debra (Paul) Ray, both of Van Wert, and Jerome “Jerry” (Angie) Mace of Fort Wayne, Ind.; eight grandchildren, Danielle Louise Ray, Taylor Joyce Ray, Mackenzie Russell Ray and Kellie Marie Mace, all of Van Wert, Brooklyn Colby Mace, Dustin Douglas Kanorr, Brandilyn Carmen Mace and Dakota Lee Mace, all of Fort Wayne (his grandchildren will miss the “World’s Greatest Grandpa”); two sisters-in-law, Patsy (John) Wellman and MaryLou (Ed) Paxton, both of Delphos; and a brother-in-law, Dan (Robin) Kill of Delphos; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 19, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos, with Father Melvin Verhoff officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 6-8 p.m. Monday, January 17, and 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 18, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with a parish prayer vigil beginning at 8 Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Gerad Center for Cancer Treatment and Delphos St. John School.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.