Ruth M. Drossel

Ruth M. Drossel, 81, of Woodville, Ohio, passed away peacefully at the Genoa Retirement Village, on Friday, October 6, 2023. She was born in Toledo, Ohio on November 17, 1941, the daughter of Warren and Florence (Brinkman) Hesselbart. She graduated from Genoa High School, class of 1959. She met Michael C. Drossel and they married on August 10, 1963, at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Genoa and celebrated 47 years together until his death in 2010. After her graduation from high school she began her employment with Owens-Corning in 1959 and worked until the birth of her son, Steve, in 1971. From 1971 until 1988, Ruthie was a stay at home mom.

Ruthie, Mike, and their son Brent enjoyed traveling and visiting lighthouses focusing on the lighthouses of the Great Lakes. They toured all around lakes Michigan, Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario by car, boat and ferry, taking in the beauty and unique architecture of each lighthouse. Their most recent trip took them from Muskegon, Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They also researched and traveled to many destinations to visit covered bridges.

After the birth of her sons, Steve and Brent, Ruth decided to go back to work, so in 1988 she became the manager of the Hardees restaurant at the Wyandot Plaza of the Ohio Turnpike where she remained until her retirement in 2004. Ruthie was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan of football and golf and of course was an Ohio State supporter! Ruthie was a very talented person and for many years she created many beautiful ceramic pieces at her home where she had her own kiln and special molds. She loved to knit and read. Nikki, her sister-in-law, and she spent many hours going to the Woodville library enjoying a wide array of subjects. In recent years, Ruthie also enjoyed spending time going on day trips with her friend and neighbor Gail.

Ruthie is survived by her loving family, son, Brent Drossel; daughter-in-law, Shelli Drossel; grandchildren, Sydney Drossel and Seth Drossel; her brother, Roger (Penny) Hesselbart; and many extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Steve Drossel; brother, Richard Hesselbart; and sister, Roberta Hesselbart.

Services for Ruthie will be private with interment at Westwood Cemetery, Woodville, Ohio. Those wishing to make a memorial in Ruthie’s memory are asked to consider the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio, 6629 W. Central Ave., Suite 1, Toledo, OH 43617, or the ALS Northern Ohio Chapter, 6115 Rockside Rd., Suite 403, Independence, Ohio 44131. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com. The Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory of Genoa is assisting the family with arrangements.

The Drossel family would like to offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to all the caregivers that helped her through the last four years and those at the Genoa Retirement Village.