John Arthur Russell
May 21, 1927 — March 8, 2003
John A. Russell, 75, 407 7th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, March 8, 2003, at home, following a long brave battle with a lingering illness. Services: 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2003, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Bill Russell. Family will meet with friends for one hour after the service. Burial: 3:30 p.m., Ida Grove Cemetery, Ida Grove, with military rites.
Survivors include his wife, Sheila; four sons, Steve Russell of Anchorage, Alaska, Jim (Laurie) Russell of Cedar Falls, Bill (Ann) Russell of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Allan Russell of South Amboy, New Jersey; his sisters, Dona Miller of Rockwell City, Iowa, Nancy (Wes) Wenschell of Kerryville, Texas, Barbara (Dow) Voss of Coralville, and Carol (Frank) Cranston of Elk Horn, Nebraska; ten grandchildren, Heidi Graunke of Chennelle, India, Heather Russell of Cedar Falls, Buz Russell of Cincinnati, Kentucky, Ben Russell of Cedar Falls, Sarah Russell, Mary Russell and John Russell of Moorhead, Minnesota, Chelsea Russell, Mackenzie Russell, and Brandon Russell of South Amboy, New Jersey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie and Carman Russell, and his loving stepmother, Estella.
John was born on May 21, 1927, in Ida Grove, Iowa, the son of Carman and Jennie (Rathbun) Russell. He graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1942. He was married to Betty Hacker from 1949 - 1975, and then to Sheila Chase from 1980 till present. He was a member of the 11th Army Airborne Unit in the Pacific Theatre as a paratrooper during World War II. He was an over-the-road trucker for 25 years. John spent most of his adult life in Coralville/Iowa City area, and spent the last 24 years in Cedar Rapids. He was known as an outgoing and friendly fellow who enjoyed the company of others. John was much loved and will be missed by his family and friends.
Instead of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Survivors include his wife, Sheila; four sons, Steve Russell of Anchorage, Alaska, Jim (Laurie) Russell of Cedar Falls, Bill (Ann) Russell of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Allan Russell of South Amboy, New Jersey; his sisters, Dona Miller of Rockwell City, Iowa, Nancy (Wes) Wenschell of Kerryville, Texas, Barbara (Dow) Voss of Coralville, and Carol (Frank) Cranston of Elk Horn, Nebraska; ten grandchildren, Heidi Graunke of Chennelle, India, Heather Russell of Cedar Falls, Buz Russell of Cincinnati, Kentucky, Ben Russell of Cedar Falls, Sarah Russell, Mary Russell and John Russell of Moorhead, Minnesota, Chelsea Russell, Mackenzie Russell, and Brandon Russell of South Amboy, New Jersey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie and Carman Russell, and his loving stepmother, Estella.
John was born on May 21, 1927, in Ida Grove, Iowa, the son of Carman and Jennie (Rathbun) Russell. He graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1942. He was married to Betty Hacker from 1949 - 1975, and then to Sheila Chase from 1980 till present. He was a member of the 11th Army Airborne Unit in the Pacific Theatre as a paratrooper during World War II. He was an over-the-road trucker for 25 years. John spent most of his adult life in Coralville/Iowa City area, and spent the last 24 years in Cedar Rapids. He was known as an outgoing and friendly fellow who enjoyed the company of others. John was much loved and will be missed by his family and friends.
Instead of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
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