Russell L. Hartstock

Russell L. Hartstock

May 28, 1949 – April 22, 2022

Born in New Lyme, Ohio, Russ was raised by his beloved mother Mildred and step father George Schultz along with his father Harold Hartstock.

He attended Madison High School where enrolled in the auto mechanics program at Auburn Center Vocational School and graduated in 1967. Russ was forever a “car guy”.  He was an experienced mechanic having the knack for fixing just about anything with the aptitude to rebuild and the perfectionism to restore.  His best told stories were about him with his buddies and their cars.  

Russ was a resident of Rome Township for 55 years. There he and his wife raised two daughters on a small farm. He worked as a Banbury Operator for Uniroyal Chemical for several years while fixing up their home and clearing brush from the fields in order to farm.  Throughout the years he harvested and sold oats, corn and hay. He raised livestock and produced a large garden that provided for his family and friends.  He later planted a portion of the farm with pine trees that he nurtured selling them during the Christmas Season.  He will be remembered by many who never knew him for the 30-foot pine trees once standing in his front yard that he decorated every year with thousands of multicolored lights.

Russ was hard working and a man of many talents.  In the mid 1980’s he got involved in the field of construction.  He worked for a roofer and a custom home builder.  He proved to be a natural carpenter and soon after ventured on his own and then remained self-employed.  He bought, remodeled, and sold several homes in the area.  He was an accomplished finish carpenter who built the home his grandchildren would grow up in.

He left behind for all that knew him, and still remain, memories of crazy adventures with cars, hunting and fishing, hard knock lessons, and very gracious contributions.  He could be a firm man but very humorous… and he loved to listen to Lady Gaga.  Russ will be greatly missed.  

Russell L Hartstock is survived by his wife Joyce (Stewart) Hartstock, daughters Vicky (Brett) Campbell and Sherry (James) Costello, granddaughters Emily, Grace and Anne Costello, and great granddaughter Clara Rose Costello.  He is also survived by his step brother David (Pam) Schultz. 

No formal service will be held. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Russell L. Hartstock, please visit our floral store.