Lillian J Criss

Lillian J. Criss, 96, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, October 30, 2025.  She was born in Richeyville, PA, but lived most of her life in Sheffield Lake, (since 1978) before moving to Tallmadge, (February, 2025).

Lillian met and married George on December 12, 1946.  A short time after, she was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost.  George was saved and filled a short time after.  They were member of Ernest Angley's Grace Cathedral for over 50 years.  They are now reunited again for all eternity.

Her greatest Love was serving the Lord and standing for what is right in the sight of the Lord.  Then came her family and then her home.

Lillian and her late husband use to get such enjoyment when in the late winter when the new Jackson and Perkins gardening catalog arrived.  They would sit and decide what new additions would make it into the rose garden, that was about half of the front yard.  At one point there were a little over 100 rose bushes to tend and take care of plus hundreds of spring blooming bulbs.  The yard was always full of life and color.

Lillian had a great love for children, especially babies.  Over the years she not only drove a school bus but was a professional nanny, and helped watch and raise over 30 different children.  Usually everybody said it was a great pleasure to meet and talk with Lillian because she would laugh and made you feel comfortable.   You could count one thing for sure, during the conversation the Lord or the bible would be brought up, not in a preaching way but rather in a life situation way.  For instance, you might say that the time seems to be moving fast, and she would probably have said something like: "The Bible says that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, and also that life is a vapor here and then gone, so you better get done today that you need to get done."  Then she might have also thrown in "You need to know where you will spend eternity."

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ellen (Thomer) Hoskins; husband, George H. Criss, Sr; daughter, Mary Ellen Hughes; sons-in law, Bernard Rook, Fredrick Hughes; four brothers and four sisters.

Lillian is survived by her children, Elladean Rook, George Criss, Jr and his wife Darlene (Roney), William (Bill) Criss and his wife, Deanna (Penner); two grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, 44805 North Ridge Road, Amherst with Pastor Steve Millar officiating.