Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
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Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
Jeanette Russell Henry, 91, residing in Milan, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016 at University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center.
Jeanette was born on May 3, 1924 in Avery, OH at the Russell Homestead to the late Frank S. and Mabelle (Taylor) Russell.
She graduated from Milan High School as valedictorian of the class of 1942 and was a graduate of the Oberlin School of Commerce in business administration. She was selected Miss Ohio 1946 of her Alpha Iota Business Sorority.
Jeanette was founder and general manager of the Homestead Inn Restaurant from 1957 to 1974, and President of Homestead Inn Motels as well as President of South Avery Corporation Farms. She was currently CEO of Growers Chemical Corporation and Growers Chemical Canada Corporation.
She was very active in the Milan community. She was Vice President and a trustee of the Thomas Edison Birthplace Association. Jeanette was a life long admirer of Edison and headed the first day of issuance of the 3 cent Edison stamp in 1947 at the Milan Post Office; that issue sold over 1,260,000 3 cent stamps on the first day of issue in Milan. She also headed the drive for the Thomas Edison and Mother bronze statue in the village park. Jeanette worked from the conception of the idea for the statue to the final dedication, a period of 4 years. She was also a member of the committee responsible for sending a statue of Thomas Edison to the Statuary Hall in our nation's capital, Washington D.C. Each state is allowed two separate statues and after a lot of hard work, Thomas Edison was selected as one of the honorary statues.
She was also vice president, trustee and chairman of collections of the Milan Historical Museum complex. Jeanette was a trustee of the McBride Arboretum and a trustee of the Sandusky/Erie County Foundation. She also served on the Coupling Board and the Cleveland Botanical Garden.
She also supported the Sandusky Yacht Club, Catawba Island Club, Sandusky Sailing Club, Lyme Village, Firelands Historical Society and the Historic Preservation Society.
She was past worthy matron of the Edison Chapter Ohio Eastern Stars and 50 year member. Jeanette taught Sunday School at St. John's United Church of Christ as a teenager and headed a youth group of the Ohio Arabian Horse Association for several years and for the association acted as representative to the Ohio State Fair Horse Show.
In 1994, she was honored as Outstanding Citizen of Milan. She was also honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts. In 1996 she received honors for distinguished service from the Biography Center at Cambridge, England.
She was an avid gardener and won awards in flower shows and was honored by her Milan Garden Club with a lifetime membership in Garden Club of Ohio. She also collected antiques with a specialty in art glass and paperweights.
Jeanette is survived by her daughter, Jennie (Rick Bobel) Henry and grandson, Russell (Åsa) Bobel.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph P. Henry in 2012; grandson, William Henry Bobel and a sister and brother in infancy.
Friends may call on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory Milan Chapel, 1 South Main St., Milan. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Friday, January 29, 2016 at 3:00 pm with Rev. Edgar Shelly presiding. Burial will follow in Milan Cemetery, Milan.
Those wishing to contribute to Jeanette's memory may do so toThomas Edison Birthplace Museum, 9 Edison Drive, Milan, OH 44846, Back to the Wild, 4504 Bardshar Rd., P.O. Box 423, Castalia, OH 44824, or to the Joseph P and Jeanette R. Henry charitable impact (donor advised) fund, c/o Erie County Community Foundation, 135 E. Washington Row, Sandusky, OH 44870.
Online condolences may be shared at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
