Phyllis Jean (Ross) Dickel

Heaven has another angel in its midst.  Phyllis Jean Dickel, 73, passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at her home.  She has joined the love of her life, Bill Dickel, who was just recently carried to rest on Saturday, October 13, 2012.  No two people ever had a stronger love for one another than the one that Jean and Bill had for each other.  We are consoled to know that they are together again. Born July 23, 1939 in Avilton, Maryland, Jean was the daughter of the late George and Pauline (McKenzie) Ross.  Jean graduated from Valley High School in Lonaconing in 1957.  After high school, she moved on to work for the Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C. and then to live in Germany for two years.  After moving back to Frostburg, Maryland, she married Bill, her childhood sweetheart, on September 21, 1968.  Shortly thereafter they moved to Ravenna, Ohio where she has lived for the past 43 years. Jean’s world revolved around taking care of her family.  She was our “guiding light”, always comforting, instilling values, teaching, and making each one of us feel important.  She cherished her family and friends and just absolutely loved being a grandmother.  In addition to taking care of her family, Jean was active in the Ravenna community.  She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church.  She was a crossing guard for the Ravenna School System for twelve years.  She was also known for and took great pride in her job as office manager with Beltone Hearing,  where she worked for many years and would warmly greet each customer as they walked through the door.  Jean could crochet anything and won many ribbons at the Portage County Fair for her work.  Over the years she made countless doilies, hats, sweaters, and afghans for her family, friends and donations to the needy. Jean enjoyed attending any events involving her children or grandchildren.  She loved holiday traditions, traveling, family history, playing cards & dominoes, and trips to the Mountaineer Casino with Bill. Jean is survived by sons and daughters, Lavina Wright, Lufkin, Texas, Terri Burbridge, Kent, David (Billie Jo) Atkinson , Champion, Joe Dickel, Kent, and Billie Jean (Dwayne) Eddy, Ravenna; grandchildren, Johvon (Dustin) McPhail, Lufkin, Texas, Daniel & Chelsea Burbridge, Kent, Alex, Nicholas, Kyle, & Gillian Atkinson, Champion, Eric & Cory Eddy, Ravenna; and  one great granddaughter, Aaliyah Segura, Lufkin, Texas.  She is survived by brothers, Donald (Marlene) Ross of Cumberland, Md. And Dale (Chuhui) Ross of  Madison, Alabama. Friends will be received at the Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home in Ravenna on Thursday, November 1st  from 7 to 9 p.m.  A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Church on Friday, November 2nd at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be in Grandview Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be sons, David Atkinson and Joe Dickel, grandsons, Daniel Burbridge, Alex Atkinson, Eric Eddy, and special friend, Don Roberts. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Ravenna Visiting Nurse and Hospice Program, 6693 North Chestnut Street, Suite 11A, Ravenna, Ohio 44266.

---