Carol Ann Brownell

Carol Ann Brownell (nee Dryfuse), 70, of Vermilion, died Wednesday, January 16, 2008 in Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky after a lengthy illness. She was born August 1, 1937 in Tiffin, Ohio and has been a Vermilion resident since 1975, moving from Port Clinton. She graduated from Calvert High School in Tiffin and received a B.A.Ed from Bowling Green State University in 1979. She had worked as a special education teacher for the Firelands School District for 20 years, retiring in 1998. Mrs. Brownell was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Vermilion. She was also on the Advisory Board for the Friends of Ritter Library, a member of the Vermilion Family YMCA Silver Sneakers Exercise Group, Vermilion College Club, and the Lorain County Retired Teacher Association. She was the Queen Mother of the Vermilion Vixens Red Hat Group (ORTA) and is a past member of the Vermilion unit of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Leroy Thomas Brownell; daughter, Cynthia Ann Sercel of Lakeview Terrace, CA; sons, Michael Thomas Brownell of Columbus and David Leroy Brownell of Maumee; grandsons, Alexander, Christopher and Nicholas Sercel; brothers, Jim Dryfuse of Flint, MI and Thomas Dryfuse of Vermilion; sisters, Judy Osteholt of Tipp City, OH and Michelle Dryfuse of Dayton, OH. Preceding her in death were her parents, Raymond and Madeline (nee Mangett) Dryfuse. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 18, 2008 from 4-8 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. A memorial mass will be on Saturday at 10:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion. Fr. Jim Holmer, pastor, will be the celebrant. Memorial contributions are suggested to the donors favorite charity.