Merrie Ellen Wardell

Merrie Ellen Wardell, age 79, of Strasburg, died Wednesday, June 26, 2024, following a period of declining health while in Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital at Canton.

Born on March 3, 1945, in Union Hospital at Dover she was one of four daughters born to the late Robert L. and Mavis B. Tufford VanSickle.

A 1963 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, Merrie furthered her education at the former Gerber Beauty School at Canton. On January 16, 1964, in Monroe, Michigan, Merrie wed Paul Wardell. Together the couple operated the former Wardell’s Restaurant in Strasburg until 1989 and shared in 50 years of marriage prior to his passing on October 11, 2014. 

After the closing of the restaurant, Merrie joined the Stohl family at Bag-N-Save at Dover and ultimately retired from Giant Eagle at Dover. 

She was a longtime member of the Strasburg First Lutheran Church and in her free-time used her hands to work on various craft projects that included ceramics, knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting, baking, gardening, and tending to her African Violets. She loved her mini dachshund, Molly, and cheering on the Cleveland sports teams, especially the Guardians and the Browns and rooting for Ohio State Football.

Merrie will be deeply missed by her son, Michael (Vickie) Wardell of Bolivar; her sisters, Serena Thurin of Strasburg, and Bobbie (Michael) Kemmett of Michigan; a brother-in-law, William Kemmett of Lakewood and a sister-in-law, Paulette Everhart of Strasburg as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Merrie was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Wardell, and a sister, Linda Kemmett.

The family will greet guests on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 10 – 11 AM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover where Pastor Brian Flood will lead a service celebrating Merrie’s life beginning at 11 AM. Burial will follow in the Ridgecrest Memorial Gardens at Dover. A meal and fellowship will be shared in the Hospitality Room of the Dover Geib Center following services.

Memorial contributions in Merrie’s memory may be directed to the Strasburg First Lutheran Church, 211 8th St SW, Strasburg, Ohio 44680 or to Ohio's Hospice Foundation, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.