Obituary: Rose Rheta Wight-Russell

Rose Rheta Wight-Russell, 85, of Prescott, Arizona, passed into the loving arms of her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, on April 28, 2018, at her home following a long illness. The beloved daughter of Lemuel and Pearl Snearey, Rose was born in Lima, Ohio, on May 15, 1932, graduated from Lima South High School, and married her childhood sweetheart, Roger W. Wight. Together they had five children.

Rose was an active member of Lima First Assembly of God Church, where she taught Sunday School, played violin and saxophone in the church orchestra, and sang in the choir. She was a founding parent of the Lima and Allen County Clinic, United Cerebral Palsy in 1953. Rose was also an enthusiastic 4-H Advisor whether for cooking, sewing, home improvements, or farm animal projects. Rose also taught piano lessons in the community, taught her daughters to play piano and numerous instruments and was an avid participant in the Perry High School Band Boosters. Most importantly, Rose taught her children to love the Lord, and the value of hard work, compassion and determination by her example.

Rose moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1979, where she cared for her father and her extended family. In 2005, Rose retired to the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, where she was active in the Prescott Salvation Army Corp.

Her continued compassion was evident as she cared for her numerous rescued dogs and enjoyed her days with family. Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Lemuel and Pearl Snearey; husband, Roger W. Wight; infant son, Keith; and her brothers: Tom, Richard and David Stegeman; sisters: Marie Mahaffey and Joan Kemmer Foster. Location of Billy Stegeman is unknown.

Rose is survived by her children: Melvin Wight, Michele Wight, Marcia Wight-Styer Lyman and Marlene Wight; grandchildren: Jason (Trisha), Janell (Petie), Jillian (Alex), Jordan, Jacob, Jerad, Aaron (Aryn) and Markus; great-grandchildren: Rosie, Janessa, Jason Jr., Jorel, Ruben, Calvin, Janae, Maya, Curtis, Tyson and Markus Jaylon-MJ.

Many thanks to Maggie’s Hospice for their meticulous and personal approach to care for Rose and the supportive compassion shown to our family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at noon Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Living Waters Church, 8075 N. Ridge Road, Prescott Valley. Please make donations of gratitude in honor of Rose Wight-Russell to the Prescott Salvation Army Corp, or the Groom Creek Fire Department.

Information provided by survivors.