John Russell

John Richard “Dick” Russell 84, and Gladis Levone (McColloch) Russell, 85, of rural Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly. Dick and Gladis were married in West Mansfield, Ohio September 30, 1950, by Rev. Frank Roberts and started their life together in Logan County.

Mr. Russell was born June 22, 1926, to the late Jesse & Emma Russell near Belle Center, Ohio. His family moved to the Raymond, Ohio area in 1932 when Dick was in the first grade. He continued his education at this school and graduated from Raymond High School in 1944. He was preceded in death by his two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim (Lois) Russell and Robert (Mae) Russell.

He is survived by his brother, Donald G. (Florence) Russell of Raymond, Ohio; his nieces and nephews, Lynn (Jim) Hall of Marysville, Ohio, Susan (Mike) Coder of Zanesfield, Ohio, Kathleen (Roger) Darling of Pickerington, Ohio, Bill (Cheryl) Russell of Townsend, Montana, Teri Russell (Tim) Lawrence and Dale Russell of Sanford, Florida, Barbara (Gary) Howe of Anaheim, California and Don E. Russell of Raymond; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews and also many wonderful friends and neighbors.

He was a United States Army Veteran, serving in the 21st Infantry Battalion during The Occupation of Germany. He was recalled and served again in the Occupation of Japan during the Korean War.

After his military service, he came back to Logan County where he worked as a carpenter and owned his own construction business, Costin Contracting. He and his wife Gladis operated a farm in rural Logan County, where they raised prize Herford cattle.

He was a member and an officer in the Logan County Fish and Game Club. In 1970 he became a member of Bellefontaine Lions Club where he served as club Secretary and club President. He served Lionism as Lion District 13E’s Governor as well as service on various district service committees. He had received the Lion International Awards of Membership, Advanced Key Award, Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and Lions International Leadership Award. He and his wife, Lion Gladis were both currently serving on the Bellefontaine Lions Club Eye Glass Committee. As Past District Lion Governor, he enjoyed the fellowship of other Past District Governors by hosting a Past Lion District Governor get together every summer.

Gladis was born February 6, 1926, to the late John and Jennie (Baker) McColloch in Logan County, Ohio.

Gladis graduated from East Liberty High School in 1944 and started her office working career at Ranco in Columbus. She also served thirty two years as payroll supervisor at Rockwell International in Bellefontaine and was one of the last employees to walk out the door as it was locked for the final time. Following that, she worked part time managing the apartments at Point Village Ltd. in Russells Point, Ohio and also at the Lewistown Post Office. Through the years, Gladis enjoyed her various jobs and when farming season came around both she and Dick hit the fields after an eight-hour shift.

Gladis always had the attitude she could do anything and encouraged others they could too. She was very active in the Lions Club and was serving as secretary for the Bellefontaine Lions Club. A member of the Church of Christ in East Liberty, she was also a member of the Bellefontaine Fish & Game Association and other community activities. For relaxing, she enjoyed jig saw puzzles, hooking rugs, embroidering, working in their flower beds and preparing food for the winter from their large garden that she and Dick both enjoyed working in together.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, John and Robert (Beulah) McColloch and a sister, Betty Johnson and brothers-in-law Harold Johnson and Forrest “Shade” Watkins.

She is survived by her two sisters; Ruby (Charles) Montgomery of East Liberty, Ohio, and Blanche Watkins of Marysville, Ohio; nieces and nephews, Richard Johnson of Raymond, Ohio, Ronald (Betty Thornton) Johnson of West Mansfield, Ohio, Deborah (David) Nicol of Marysville, Ohio, Bruce (Karen) Johnson of Raymond, Ohio, Catheryn Whitmore (Jim Smith) of Lakeview, Ohio, Robert (Sandy Wilcox) McColloch Jr. of East Liberty, John (Cindy) McColloch of East Liberty, Nancy (Dan) Pry of Westerville, Ohio, Keith (Virginia) Montgomery of East Liberty, John (Marilyn) Coles of Lorain, Ohio and Monna Coles of Athens, New York; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews and also many wonderful friends and neighbors.

A memorial service for both Dick and his wife Gladis will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 22, 2011 in the First Church of God 1000 East Brown Ave. Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 with Pastor Jack Knox officiating. Calling hours will be Monday, March 21, 2011 from 2 to 8 P.M. at the church. Following visitation on Monday at the church, there will be a Lions Club memorial service. There will be a private committal service in Highland Memorial Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio, with military honors provided by the Logan County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bellefontaine Lions Club - Pilot Dog Program c/o Andy Collings 615 E. Columbus Ave, Bellefontaine, OH 43311 or to the Logan County Fish and Game 2056 US 68 North Bellefontaine, OH 43311

The staff of the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine assisted the family with the funeral arrangements.

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