| JAMES RUSSELL |
Mr. James Russell, 82, of 3708 Columbus Rd., died at 8:23 p.m. Wednesday (December 31, 2003) in Blessing Hospital. Born October 13, 1921 in Iowa City, Iowa, Mr. Russell was the son of William and Cora Lee Pittman Sapp. He married Wilma G. Burris on March 1, 1958 in Jacksonville, Illinois. She survives. Mr. Russell attended the University of Iowa until joining the U. S. Navy in 1942. At the time of his discharge in July 1945, he was stationed with the Navy Band, Mare Island, San Francisco. Following his Naval service, Jim spent three years traveling with Dance Bands including Jimmy Palmer and Joe Sanders. In 1948, he settled in Quincy and earned his B. A. Degree from Quincy College in 1952. Mr. Russell served as Band Director at several area schools including, Barry, Liberty and Unit 4 in Mendon. During this time he also taught music privately. Jim also held both sales and broker real estate licenses and was a partner in the firm of Huechteman & Russell Real Estate. Music was both a vocation and an avocation. He played with many dance bands over the years, including Junior Musolino, Jim Delabar, Maurice Menge, and he directed the Riverboat Ramblers on the Mark Twain Riverboat in Hannibal for 17 years. In addition to his music, Jim's greatest enjoyment was the time he spent with his family and friends. Mr. Russell was a member of Union United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Fidelis Class and was active in several areas of the church. He was also a member of the Musicians Union for many years, a volunteer for the Salvation Army and served as a mentor in the Child Family Mentor Program of the Quincy Public Schools and was a former member of the Elks Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Wilma; two sons, James A. Russell and his wife Linda and William R. Russell and his wife Julia both of Quincy; twin step daughters, Carol Burris of Port Monmouth, N. J. and Cheryl Martucci and her husband Bob of Kahoka, MO.; a step son, Charles Burris of Morris, IL.; seven grandchildren, Nathan Russell, Allison Russell and Alex Russell all of Quincy, Benjamin Burris and his wife Connie of Ft. Madison, IA., Patti Rashid of Ft. Madison, IA., Deanne Smith and her husband Mike of Montrose, IA. and Bobby Long of Maryville, MO.; seven great grandchildren, Raequel and Cameron Burris, Katie and Dyvon Smith, and Elysia, David and George Rashid; a sister, Mildred Nicol of Dallas, TX.; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Russell was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Ruby Schneberger and Verna Goodner. Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10:00 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home by the Rev. Robert Morwell. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday afternoon from 3:00 to 6:00 and Monday until the time of services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Union United Methodist Church or the charity of the donor's choice. |