by USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Russell Cyrill Hill, 83, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center Hospice, Fort Wayne. Born August 21, 1931 in Latty, Ohio, he was the son of the late Waveland and Thelma (Martin) Hill. He married Barbara Jean Brown – “she with the yellow dress and big beautiful brown eyes” – in 1952. He served four years in the Air Force, was a train dispatcher for Norfolk and Southern Railway from where he retired in 1991 after 42 years, and owned and operated a TV repair business for 12 years. Russ’s passion was Standardbred (harness) horses, and he owned, trained, and raced horses over a 52 year period. He was inducted into the Northwestern Ohio Colt Racing Association Hall of Fame as a driver-trainer in 2006. He was also very interested in genealogy and collected and recorded several thousand names.

He is survived by his daughters, Joni (Larry) Brown of Fort Wayne, Mindy (Brad) Stevens of Hamilton, and Julie (Don) Lauer of Auburn; daughter-in-law, Jan Maxwell of Columbus, OH; siblings, Paul Hill and Louella (Loren) Thomas both of Paulding; grandchildren, Amanda (Andrew) Riebe of Fort Wayne, Andrea Stevens of Tucson, AZ, Jennica Stevens of Philadelphia, PA, Anna Lauer of Indianapolis, and Elizabeth Lauer of Auburn; great granddaughter, Mae Riebe; and loving friend, Martha Jones. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Barbara J. (Brown) Hill in 2008; son, David Hill in 1996; and granddaughter, Grace Lauer in 1993.

Funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday, February 28, 2015 at New Haven United Methodist Church, 630 E. Lincoln Hwy., New Haven with calling one hour prior. Pastor Chuck Fenwick officiating. Calling is also 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2015 at E. Harper & Son Funeral Home, 740 St. Rd. 930 E., New Haven. Burial in St. Paul Cemetery, Briceton, Ohio. Preferred memorials are to the church or American Diabetes Association.