A short memorial service followed by a visitation time will be Saturday at 3 pm at First Presbyterian Church to remember the life of J.T. Russell, Lawrence who passed away Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012 at Brandon Woods at Alvamar. A graveside service will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery, Galesburg, IL.
John T. Russell, 96, Lawrence, formerly of Charlotte, NC and Galesburg, IL, was born October 13, 1915, in New Orleans, LA, the son of Edwin T. and Mary B. Weaver Russell. When he was 5 years old, his family returned to Chillicothe, IL, where his father and mother had both grown up.
He married Rose Lee Arnold on April 20, 1941, in the Chillicothe Congregational Church, Chillicothe, IL. She died August 10, 1982. He married Marcella (Sally) Nelson Lytle on December 8, 1983, in the Central Congregational Church, Galesburg, IL.
Surviving are his wife, one son, Dr. Henry E. Russell (Lynn), John’s Island, SC., one daughter, Patricia L. Russell, Lawrence, KS., two stepsons, Jay S. Lytle (Pamela) Knoxville, IL., and Rodney D. Lytle (Julie), Galesburg, IL., four grandsons, John H. Russell (Leigh), Hilton Head Island, SC., William M, Russell (Lauren), Charleston, SC., Bradley A. Russell (Amy), Raleigh, NC., and Charlie Moffet, Lawrence, KS.; one granddaughter, Madeleine Moffet, Austin, TX.; three step grandsons, Justin and Tyler Lytle and Chrispatrick Burgin-Lytle of Galesburg, IL.; and a step granddaughter, Samantha Platz, Knoxville, IL. There are two great grandsons, Owen H. and Leo W. Russell, and also 4 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and only sister, Harriett R. Springer.
He attended schools in Chillicothe, IL and graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1933. He graduated from Knox College and their ROTC program, Galesburg, IL, in 1937. He was a member in the Golden Legion of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was a member of the Knox-Lombard 50 Year Club.
He served in the Army’s 5th Division during World War II in the ETO from April, 1941, until January, 1946, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was the recipient of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Bronze Star. He accepted the surrender of Fort San Quentin near Metz, France in 1944.
He was employed by Simpson-Powelson Lumber Company, Galesburg, IL from February 1947 until November 30, 1983; the last 10 years as CEO and Senior Executive Officer. He served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Lumber & Material Dealers Association.
He was a Life member of the VFW in Galesburg, IL, and a member of the George Washington Lodge #222 AF&AM, Chillicothe, IL, since 1936.
He was a member of Central Congregational Church, Galesburg, Il, from 1950 to 1992, serving several terms as a member of the Board of Trustees. He joined the Galesburg Covenant Church in 1992. He moved to Charlotte, NC. in 1997, and became an affiliate member of South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church, and then attended the First Presbyterian Church when he moved to Lawrence, KS, in 2003.
Memorials may be made to the Covenant Church Camp Fund, Galesburg, IL, 61401; Central Congregational Church Historic Site Trust Fund, Galesburg, IL, 61401; or First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS, 66047. Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, KS, and Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors, Galesburg, IL, are in charge of arrangements.
