John William Russell

Funeral service for John William Russell will be 10 a.m., Fri., April 30, at First Christian Church, Chelsea, with Rev. Ben Killion officiating. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. at Ames Cemetery under the direction of Chelsea Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thurs. 1-8 p.m.

John died Tues., April 27, 2010, at the age of 78.

The son of Corneliaus W. and Willie Faye (Newman) Russell was born April 15, 1932, in Buffalo, OK. He joined the National Guard while in high school, and was called to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict earning a Bronze Star. After he was discharged John returned home and purchased a filling station while finishing high school. He graduated from Buffalo High School on May 18, 1954. He continued his education at Northwestern State College where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree. He married Carolyn Kay Patton on Sept. 5, 1958, in Enid. They lived in Alva for a short time before moving to Enid. While in Enid John worked for City Service Oil Co. They moved to Sand Springs in 1976. He later worked with the State of Oklahoma as a Tax Enforcement Officer. Kay passed away on Dec. 24, 1990. During a 40 year class reunion John became reacquainted with his high school classmate, Avis Arelene (Roberts) Hoey. They were married on Jan. 12, 1996, and moved to Chelsea in 1999. John was a member of the Studebaker Drivers Club, American Legion, 45th Division Association, and the Lion’s Club of Chelsea. He enjoyed fishing and traveling.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Kay Patton Russell; his parents; brother, Wesley Russell; sister, Nona Fay Reeves; and step-sister, Thurlene.

He is survived by his wife, Avis of the home; children: Chuck Russell of Tulsa, Todd Russell of Sand Springs, Paul Hoey and wife, Kathleen of Sand Springs, Mike Hoey and wife, Dana of Tulsa, Philip Hoey and wife, Megan of Sapulpa, Nancy McChesney and husband, Mark of Morris, Tina Cruce and husband, Jeff of Broken Arrow, Marilou Robinson and husband, David of Chelsea, Geralyn Hoey of Atlanta, GA, and Denise and Jeff Nease of Nashville, TN; 26 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.