Raymond Willliam Russell

RUSSELL – Raymond William Russell, 91 of Marietta, GA, a decorated U. S. Army Veteran of World War II, who served in the Pacific (Okinawa) Theatre, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2010, after a brief illness. Mr. Russell was educated at Fenwick High School, Oak Park, IL and the University of Dayton in Ohio. He is a member of the VFW Post 2681 and the American Legion. Ray Russell is the retired president of Russell Brothers, Chicago, Illinois, an excavating firm partnered with his brother, Thomas L. Russell, Jr., now of Florence, Oregon. He relocated to his much loved adopted state of Georgia along with his beloved late wife, Helen Charters Russell. Ray and his late wife, Helen, were devout parishioners of The Catholic Church of St. Ann. He enjoyed sports of all kinds but saved his greatest enthusiasm for the Chicago Bears and White Sox, having never lost his allegiance to his old hometown teams. In addition to his brother, he is survived by his loving daughters, Jeanne (Michael) Coletta, Canton, GA, Mary (Patrick) Sullivan, Dayton, OH, Martha (Michael) Collins, Marietta, GA, Patricia (Kevin) Shields, Glen Ellyn, IL, and sons, Dr, John Russell, Key West, FL, Raymond Russell, Jr., Taos, N.M., William Russell, Taos, N.M., and Steven Russell, Marietta, GA. He is the beloved grandfather of sixteen and great-grandfather of seven as well as uncle and great-uncle to many nephews and nieces. Ray and his late wife bore life-long grief for the untimely and tragic loss of their young daughter Anne to an automobile accident. Ray was a lover of animals obtaining great joy from his faithful dog, Molly. The family will welcome friends on Thursday, January 28th from 5 to 8 PM at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075 . The Rosary will be said at 7:00 PM. The funeral mass for Raymond Russell will be held Friday, January 29, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the Catholic Church of St. Ann. THe family will welcome friends on Sunday, January 31st from 7 to 9 PM at the Beidelman - Kunsch Funeral Home, 516 S. Washington Street, Naperville, IL 60540 (630-355-0264) Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 10:30 AM. Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory, Roswell, GA, 770/645-1414 – www.northsidechapel.com

Raymond Willliam Russell

June 23, 1918 - January 26, 2010