Naomi Ruth Russell, age 85 of Salem, passed away at Salem Township Hospital on August 6, 2025.
Born on October 19, 1939, in Salem, Naomi was the fourth of five children of Ivan and Edna (Akes) Baity. She was a devoted mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family deeply.
Naomi married Robert Gibson, and together they had three children: Mark, Nancy, and Kathy. After their divorce in 1961, she later married J Rodney Russell on December 2, 1966. Together, they welcomed two more children, J and Tracy.
Naomi worked throughout her life, including time at Pizza Man and Walmart in Salem, and eventually retired.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Russell; her brothers, Orville, Bob, Bill, and Jim Baity; her grandson, Jared Gibson; son-in-law, Richard “Bud” Wesling; nephews, Jimmy Baity, Danny Baity, and Jerry Bob Baity; and niece Lynn Baity.
She is survived by her five children: Mark Gibson and wife Ann of Salem, Nancy Wesling of Salem, Kathy Gibson of Kokomo, IN, J Russell of Salem, and Tracy Arnette of Dothan, AL; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services for Naomi Ruth Russell will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem with Dallas Bear officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will be in Paradise Cemetery in Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Pregnancy Care Clinic and can be received at the funeral home. Online condolences can be left at www.CrouseFH.com
