John Steven Russo

John Steven "Steve" Russo, 67, passed away on February 6, 2023. He was born on September 11, 1955 in Columbus, OH. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Adrianne Russo, parents, John and Dorothy (Bandiera) Russo. Surviving family includes wife, Linda, sisters-in-law, Karen Whipple and Julie Raiford, brother-in-law, Todd (Rhinda) McManaway, granddaughter, Armani, nieces, Heather, Kristen, nephews, Philip, Cody.

Steve graduated from Brookhaven High School and received his degree in Microbiology from The Ohio State University, where he was also on the Wrestling Team. Steve spent his career working in a lab first at OSU and then with the Columbus Health Department until retiring. After a few years of being "retired", Steve went back to work as a Medical Technologist at LabCorp for a couple of years before permanently retiring.

Steve was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Linda whom he married on July 20, 2002. A second marriage for both, they have danced, hiked, biked, traveled, and have enjoyed being together since they married. Steve was also a loving father to his daughter Adrianne and he loved being Armani's grandfather.

In addition to working in a lab, Steve loved the Ohio State Fair and was the night supervisor/manager for the North Commercial Building for over ten years. He was also a Realtor with Carleton Realty for a number of years, until retiring last year. He had an incredible thirst for knowledge continuing to take classes at OSU and after turning 60, he really enjoyed the Program 60, taking "updated" courses in Microbiology, Genetics, anything that caught his interest (and he had many).

Steve had a passion for biking, riding in the Pelotonia ride for the first ten years of the ride - his wife, Linda serving as his personal SAG wagon. He also rode in TOSORV for many years and road in the Hancock Horizontal Hundred ride. Steve had a life-long passion for music, playing guitar with his friends and with the Folk Music Society for many years as well as listening to Live Music! And he loved to dance. Steve and Linda met at a dance and have been dancing together ever since!

Steve and Linda have been members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church since 2009 where Steve served as an Usher for the 8 am Service for many years.

He loved life and he lived it to the fullest! Steve said life was to be enjoyed, to have fun, and he did!

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm, Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Newcomer Funeral Home, NW Chapel, 10051 Brewster Lane, Powell, OH 43065. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10am, Friday, February 10, 2023 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 2480 W. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, OH 43235.

Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Lockbourne, OH.