George Samuel Tanner

George Samuel Tanner, 68, of Vermilion, died March 21, 2015 of cancer at Mercy New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph. After he had DBS surgery at University Hospitals in Cleveland in late January, complications set in and tumors were discovered in his liver. He was born on Christmas day in 1946 in Diane, W.Va., one of 16 brothers and sisters. He came to NE Ohio in 1970 and had resided in North Ridgeville, then Vermilion for the past 21 years. He worked for UPS as a package delivery driver for 30 years. When he retired in 2000, he knew where practically everyone lived in the Vermilion area and made many friends along his route. George graduated from Webster Springs High School, WV, where he excelled at sports, in particular, baseball. He tried out for the Cleveland Indians when he was 16, but was told to go home and graduate. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially gardening and hunting. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and was a dedicated Cleveland Indians fan. He was a loving father and grandfather and a loyal friend to many. His card playing skills were legendary and he rarely lost a game. He is survived by Ruth (nee Bauman), his wife of 18 years; children, George Tanner II (Alecia) of Vermilion, Paul Tanner (Jolene) of N. Ridgeville, Angela Layton (Jason) of Joelton, TN; step-sons Jeff Hill (Olivia) of Westminster, CO, and Greg Hill (Michelle) of Somerville, MA; grandchildren: George Tanner III, Nate Crawford, Tasia Tanner, Nikki Crawford, Natalie Crawford, and Sarah Layton; step-grandchildren Alexander and Arabella Hill; great-grandson, Nate; brothers and sisters: Irene Tenney, Ruth Buchs, Lonnie Tanner, Naomi Davis, Jerry Tanner, Mary Cool, Mabel Hampton, and Ralph Tanner; and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by parents Robert Fulton and Ruby (nee Gillis) Tanner; brothers and sisters Cora Tanner, David Tanner, Dorothy Moyel, Monique Cobb, Betty Camillo, Robert Tanner, and Pat Chumney. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street Vermilion OH. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 11 a.m. A friend of the family, Rob Patton, will officiate. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Mercy New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph, 3500 Kolbe Road, Lorain, OH 44053. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.