A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 30 at his house in Red Bluff for Merrill Russell, 90, of Red Bluff. He died in Red Bluff on June 15, 2008, the 67th anniversary of his wedding.
Born October 24, 1917, in French Camp, Mr. Russell lived most of his life in Central California. He was raised in Lathrop, married in Ceres, and lived in Modesto from 1951 until 2005. In 1941 he married Cecile Wooley, a schoolteacher from Iowa. After her death in 2004, he moved to a small retirement house his son built for him on 9th Avenue in Red Bluff. During World War II, he served in the 5th Armored Division. Mr. Russell attended University of the Pacific on the G.I. Bill and became the accountant at Blakely Oil Co. until he embarked on his own business, Merrill Russell Ideas, which specialized in maintenance supplies. He continued this business until he was 86 years old.
Mr. Russell enjoyed playing bridge, stamp collecting, and gardening; he often shared the tomatoes he cultivated in his backyard garden. He was a member of Centenary Methodist Church and of SIRS in Modesto. Mr. Russell also volunteered at his church's thrift shop and supported the Salvation Army, Inter-Faith Mission, and the Heifer Project.
He leaves behind two children: Stephen Russell of Red Bluff; and Cheryl Russell-Pogue of Modesto; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Remembrances may be donated to a charity.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /June 25, 2008
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 30 at his house in Red Bluff for Merrill Russell, 90, of Red Bluff. He died in Red Bluff on June 15, 2008, the 67th anniversary of his wedding.
Born October 24, 1917, in French Camp, Mr. Russell lived most of his life in Central California. He was raised in Lathrop, married in Ceres, and lived in Modesto from 1951 until 2005. In 1941 he married Cecile Wooley, a schoolteacher from Iowa. After her death in 2004, he moved to a small retirement house his son built for him on 9th Avenue in Red Bluff. During World War II, he served in the 5th Armored Division. Mr. Russell attended University of the Pacific on the G.I. Bill and became the accountant at Blakely Oil Co. until he embarked on his own business, Merrill Russell Ideas, which specialized in maintenance supplies. He continued this business until he was 86 years old.
Mr. Russell enjoyed playing bridge, stamp collecting, and gardening; he often shared the tomatoes he cultivated in his backyard garden. He was a member of Centenary Methodist Church and of SIRS in Modesto. Mr. Russell also volunteered at his church's thrift shop and supported the Salvation Army, Inter-Faith Mission, and the Heifer Project.
He leaves behind two children: Stephen Russell of Red Bluff; and Cheryl Russell-Pogue of Modesto; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Remembrances may be donated to a charity.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /June 25, 2008
Born October 24, 1917, in French Camp, Mr. Russell lived most of his life in Central California. He was raised in Lathrop, married in Ceres, and lived in Modesto from 1951 until 2005. In 1941 he married Cecile Wooley, a schoolteacher from Iowa. After her death in 2004, he moved to a small retirement house his son built for him on 9th Avenue in Red Bluff. During World War II, he served in the 5th Armored Division. Mr. Russell attended University of the Pacific on the G.I. Bill and became the accountant at Blakely Oil Co. until he embarked on his own business, Merrill Russell Ideas, which specialized in maintenance supplies. He continued this business until he was 86 years old.
Mr. Russell enjoyed playing bridge, stamp collecting, and gardening; he often shared the tomatoes he cultivated in his backyard garden. He was a member of Centenary Methodist Church and of SIRS in Modesto. Mr. Russell also volunteered at his church's thrift shop and supported the Salvation Army, Inter-Faith Mission, and the Heifer Project.
He leaves behind two children: Stephen Russell of Red Bluff; and Cheryl Russell-Pogue of Modesto; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Remembrances may be donated to a charity.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /June 25, 2008
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 30 at his house in Red Bluff for Merrill Russell, 90, of Red Bluff. He died in Red Bluff on June 15, 2008, the 67th anniversary of his wedding.
Born October 24, 1917, in French Camp, Mr. Russell lived most of his life in Central California. He was raised in Lathrop, married in Ceres, and lived in Modesto from 1951 until 2005. In 1941 he married Cecile Wooley, a schoolteacher from Iowa. After her death in 2004, he moved to a small retirement house his son built for him on 9th Avenue in Red Bluff. During World War II, he served in the 5th Armored Division. Mr. Russell attended University of the Pacific on the G.I. Bill and became the accountant at Blakely Oil Co. until he embarked on his own business, Merrill Russell Ideas, which specialized in maintenance supplies. He continued this business until he was 86 years old.
Mr. Russell enjoyed playing bridge, stamp collecting, and gardening; he often shared the tomatoes he cultivated in his backyard garden. He was a member of Centenary Methodist Church and of SIRS in Modesto. Mr. Russell also volunteered at his church's thrift shop and supported the Salvation Army, Inter-Faith Mission, and the Heifer Project.
He leaves behind two children: Stephen Russell of Red Bluff; and Cheryl Russell-Pogue of Modesto; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Remembrances may be donated to a charity.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /June 25, 2008
