Leona J. (Gier) Rossell

Leona J. Rossell, 94, of Girard, passed away at her home on Monday, August 24, 2020. Leona was born on February 22, 1926 to John and Emma(Rose) Gier, in Valley Falls, Kansas, where she grew up. She had four brothers and three sisters, all of whom preceded her in death. When she first attended school in Kansas, she rode her horse to school. Leona met the love of her life, Edward Rossell, of Girard, Ohio, while he was stationed in Kansas (Army Air Corp.) They returned to Girard and got married on June 1, 1946. They were married for 60 years until he passed away on July 15, 2006. Leona was a member of the First Baptist Church in Girard from 1946 to the present. Ed and Leona have two sons, Richard (Judith) and Donald (Kathie), four grandchildren, Kim, Andrea, Jen and Donnie (Erika) and two great-grandchildren, Josiah and Ezra. Back in the early 1950's, Leona got a job working part-time at Loblaws grocery store. She was only planning to work three months so they could buy a television. She retired from Giant Eagle thirty years later. Leona enjoyed watching baseball on TV and loved the Cleveland Indians. Due to the present state of health conditions, private services will be held on Thursday at Blackstone Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the First Baptist Church. Leona will be laid to rest at Tod Homestead Cemetery next to her husband. In lieu of flowers the family requested any gifts be sent to the First Baptist Church, 7 E. Kline St., Girard, Ohio, in Leona's memory.