Nicole L. Rese

Nicole Rese (Sankey,) age 50 of Howland, Ohio lost her fight with a decade of pro long health issues and passed away on July 29, 2024. She was born in Niles, Ohio to her parents the late Leslie and Gail (Ward) Sankey.

She graduated from Beavercreek High School in 1992 where she excelled in shot put for her high school track team achieving many accolades including Western Ohio League Shot Put Champion, OHSAA District Shot Put Champing with a throw of 35.11, and an OHSAA Regional Qualifier. It is no surprise that she was also voted “Female Megaphone Mouth” for her senior class. From there she pursued her passion in the field of Nursing with a degree from Kent State University graduating in 1996. She worked for Mercy Health for over 25 plus years, where she was an ICI, Cardiac, and ER nurse. 

She moved from the bedside and honed her skills and experience working as a Legal Nurse Consultant with Weaver Legal Nurse Consultants in Houston, TX over the past nine years. She was one of the top consultants for medical malpractice cases. Her expertise in critical and emergency care was key in countless cases and justice being served for the patients who were injured. Nicole considered herself a voice for the “voiceless.” Her passion is a tremendous loss to the industry. 

Nicole spent the majority of her life with the love of her life of 25 years Mike. She considered him her “rock,” always being by her side throughout her life through the good and the tribulations of her disease. They never missed an opportunity to see their favorite bands in concert, Skillet and Citizen Soldier, driving with the windows down to the soundtrack, “Top Gun,” or hanging with their friends from their neighborhood.

Nicole's other passions include helping out with Special Olympics for their track and field events and helping rescuing dogs through the organization of That Newfoundland Place, Inc. Nicole would spend many hours driving a rescued dog throughout the state to help them reach their forever homes. She lived for her “fur babies,” all named from one of her favorite movies, “The Lion King,” Mufasa, Rafiki, and Zazu, her Newfoundland whom she saved from a dreadful situation in 2018. 

Nicole was the historian of the family and her friends, always remembering all the traditions from holidays, vacations, and holding onto cherished heirlooms. She loved to make people laugh, comfort them when they were going through tough times, sitting on a couch for hours with a cup of coffee just to shoot the breeze, playing cards, sitting around the lake, and always up for an adventure. Her most precious memories were spent with them, whom she loved and adored. 

She is survived by her husband Michael Rese of Howland Ohio, sister Heather Sankey of Warren, step siblings Ted Behrens, Indianapolis, Kerry Eller and Amanda Allen, Illinois, Ashley Pruitt of St. Louis, MO, stepmother Pat Sankey, Illinois, and nieces Kaitlyn Saluga and Emma Rese. Besides her parents she is preceded in death by her grandmothers, Edith Sankey and Wanda Ward, and her mother-in-law Margaret “Kathy” Rese

Visitation for family and friends will take place on Monday August 5, 2024 at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Robert-Clark Chapel, Warren from 11:00-1:00 pm with a service following with the Rev Russel Zampino celebrating Nicole’s life. Interment will take place at All Souls Cemetery after the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Nicole’s name to your local animal shelter and/or Special Olympics.

Family and friends may send their heartfelt condolences by visiting www.lanefuneralhomes.com