John Russell

John Leonard Russell, 77, died at 6:06 AM Saturday, May 31, 2008, at his home in rural Keokuk, Iowa, surrounded by his family. Mr. Russell was born March 20, 1931, at home in rural Basco, Illinois, the son of John E. and Greta Dowdall Russell. He married Jean Marie Rein on April 14, 1951, in Keokuk, Iowa. He served in the United States Air Force for 4 years. After returning from duty, he and Jean farmed and raised their children together until her death on July 6, 1988. He was a respected farmer in the Keokuk area for 55 years. He was a member of First Christian Church in Basco, Illinois. He was a member of Joppa Lodge #136, A.F. & A.M. at Montrose, Iowa, and Keokuk Lodge #29. In recognition of his service to Masonic work, he was honored to be appointed Junior Grand Deacon of Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa for the year 2000-2001. He was also a member of Kaaba Shrine, Montrose Lions Club, many farming and youth organizations. He is survived by two sons, John A. Russell and his wife, Lily, of Keokuk and Tom Russell and his wife, Martha Neff, of Keokuk; two daughters, Mary Lambert and her husband, Kenny, of Keokuk and Kathleen Rose and her husband, Guy, of Keokuk; thirteen grandch...[more]

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ren, Justin Russell and his wife Traci, Nick Russell, Jacob Russell, Lindy Russell, Sarah Hitsman, Caleb Hitsman, Ryan Lambert and his fiance Amanda McMahan, Gabe Lambert, Brittany Lambert, Kristin Rose, Bobbi Marshall and her husband PJ, Angie Rose and her boyfriend Andrew Courtney, and Valerie Rose; great grandchildren, Katherine Marshall Russell and Noah Courtney; one brother, Jim Russell of Carthage, Illinois; two sisters, Leora Wilson of Nauvoo, Illinois and Kathleen Mayo of Washington State; several nieces and nephews; and many good friends through his farming activities, fraternal organizations, and coffee groups. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean; a daughter, Susan Hitsman; and two brothers, Lowell Russell and Harold Russell. Graveside services with full military rites were Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at Sunset Memorial Park. Burial followed at Sunset Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Lee County Hospice or to Keokuk Shrine Club's Transportation Fund.