Russell "Dean" Edelman

1928 - 2021

Russell "Dean" Edelman

Russell "Dean" Edelman

10/12/1928 - 04/29/2021



Everyone has heard the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." In the Edelman circle we have our own saying, "If it isn't working, have Dean take a look at it".

As a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend or neighbor when asked, he would pick up his tools, move you aside and repair, replace or improve whatever motor sputtered, wheel wobbled or belt slipped. Dean had a love for all things mechanical and was employed as a governmental Inspector with Continental Aviation; later rebranded as Teledyne Corporation. In addition to his work at Teledyne, during the boating season Dean could be found working with Bob Fisher at Bob's Outboard Motor Repair Shop in Point Place for over 30 years.

Dean's catalogue of contraptions, inventions and various Dean-mobiles included dirt track midget race cars built from the ground up which he raced on the Northwest Ohio Circuit between 1949-1965, one of a kind fishing stations with combination rod holder and bobber flags for hands free fishing and the unique design and fabrication of customized tools for which perhaps only Dean truly knew their crafted use.

Dean's mechanical talents proved invaluable to the United States Navy during the Korean War. Designated as one of the highest scoring recruits in mechanics, Dean serviced and repaired fighting Corsair aircraft aboard the USS Tarawa and USS Coral Sea during numerous wartime tours.

On July 4, 1952, Dean married Nancy Louise Carnes, an active duty United States Army surgical technician. Dean and Nancy were blessed with three children, Karen Sue, Linda Sue and James Lowell Edelman.

Each growing season Dean maintained vegetable gardens at his home in Toledo, Ohio and at Cub Lake near Hillsdale, Michigan with tomatoes, beans and pumpkins shared with his Ohio and Michigan neighbors. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and duck hunt, portaging into Canada with his friends and family on many trips north starting in 1950. In his later years, if you needed Dean, you could find him and his dog Winston sitting near the boat ramp in Cullen Park.

Considering all of Dean's accomplishments in times of war and peace, nothing compared to his devotion to Nancy. Dementia indeed changed their relationship in the later years, yet Dean's loving hand guided and groomed her, allowing them to remain together for 68 years of marriage. With Dean at her side, Nancy passed away July 10, 2020.

Russell "Dean" Edelman was born October 12, 1928, in Toledo, Ohio. Dean was a 1946 graduate of Woodward High School. Preceding Dean were his parents, Charles "Elmer" and Florence (Zang) Edelman; brothers, Wendell (Wendy) and Charles (Chuck); and sister, Etta Hoot.

He is survived by Karen (Robert) Woods, Linda (John) Pezzino, Jim (Sue) Edelman; grandchildren, Chad, Brandi, Shaun, Amanda (Andy), Amy (Scott), Andrew (Meghan) and Johnny (Noreen); great-grandchildren, Henry, Clara, Dorothy, Mabel, Sofia and Roman; and many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

The staff of Alexis Gardens in Toledo, Ohio are an absolute gift. Their compassion and care allowed Dean to pass quietly in his own apartment with the comfort and assistance of Senior Helpers, Hospice of NW Ohio, Guardian Angels and the VA medical team.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of NW Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551 or in honor of his beloved pets Winston, Toby and Rusty to Humane Ohio, 3948 W. Alexis Road, Toledo, OH 43623.

Visitation is scheduled between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. with a short service starting at 7 p.m. Friday, May 7, 2021, at David R. Jasin-Hoening Funeral Home, 5300 N. Summit Street, Toledo, Ohio 43611. Interment with Military Honors will be Saturday, May 8, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at Toledo Memorial Park,, 6382 Monroe Street, Sylvania, Ohio 43560. For those wishing to attend the visitation and/or interment, the family requests facial masks and social distancing safety measures be observed.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting

hoeningfuneralhome.com