Linus Ressler

July 13, 1923 - May 27, 2009

Linus Ressler went to be with the Lord on May 27, 2009. He was born July 13, 1923 of parents of German heritage in the Village of Katherinental near the Black Sea. His family owned a large farm that was confiscated by the Communists when he was a little boy. Besides the farms, all the German schools, teachers, and churches were done away with. The people were not even allowed to pray or worship together. They had to do it in secret. He had many sad stories to tell of the communist oppression. One was of his younger brother dying in the labor camp. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maria, and his second wife, Cornelia. He is survived by his present wife of 35 years, Jean, of Leesburg, Florida, two sons, Linus of Phoenix, New York and Edmund of Liverpool, New York, four grandchildren, two step- sons and one step-daughter and several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Ida Lemmer of Stuttgart, Germany. He was "volunteered" into the German Army in WWII to fight the communists and was seriously injured on the front lines on two occasions. After the war he and his first wife relocated to Germany where he received training in tool-making. In 1956 they and their 11 month old son came to the United States and settled in Syracuse, New York. Even though he could not speak English at the time, he was hired as janitor at Nixon Gear Company. After several years, because of his knowledge of tool making, he was made supervisor of the gear department and retired in 1987. In 1998 he and Jean moved to Hawthorne in Leesburg. He loved to garden and had plots at P.E.A.R. park and was happiest when his hands were in the soil. He loved to watch things grow and had great satisfaction in sharing the fruits of his labor. He had a generous and giving nature and a great love of this country. He was very patriotic and very proud to be an American. He set a good example for those of us who were born here who so often take for granted the freedom we share. He was much loved by many and we will all miss him and his beautiful smile. Ich liebe dich and auf Wiedersehen , Linus. Arrangements have been entrusted to Page-Theus Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Leesburg. A private service will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Rd., Tavares, Fl. 32778-9915 or to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 130 S. Lone Oak Dr. , Leesburg, Fl. 34748-5401.