Russell Norris, age 98, of Waltonville, Illinois passed away 11:55 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2011 at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor in Mt. Vernon. Russell was born July 22, 1912 in Waltonville, Illinois a son of Joseph H. and Myrtle Elizabeth (Dodds) Norris. He married Virginia Aline Hester on October 3, 1931 in Nashville and she preceded him in death on January 25, 2000. Russell was a Coal Miner and a farmer. He served his country in the United States Army During WWII. Russell was a past commander of the Waltonville VFW Post 9153 and was one of the founders of the annual Waltonville Veterans Day Parade, which was started in 1986. Russell served many years on the Waltonville School Board and also as treasurer for the Knob Prairie Cemetery for over forty years. When rural electric service came to Waltonville Russell put the Electrical wiring in Many of the homes in the area. He was a member of the Universalist Church in Waltonville. He is survived by two sons, Jim and Marge Norris of Newburgh, Indiana and Wendell Norris and wife Beverley of Waltonville, Illinois; six grandchildren, Cathy and husband Drew Osika of Mt. Vernon, J.C. Norris and wife Arin of Newburgh, Indiana, Jordan Norris of Waltonville, Marcus Norris of Waltonville, Cassandra Quick of Waltonville and Dallas Day of Mt. Vernon ; 8 great-grandchildren; one great great-granddaughter; sister, Mary Olive Sword of Mt. Vernon; sister-in-law, Freda Moore of Mt. Vernon; and also many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three brothers, Harry, Louis and William "Bill" Norris; and also one sister Sadie Howard. Graveside Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday March 30, 2011 at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville, with Chaplain Ernie Collins officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 141 in Mt. Vernon. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville. For those wishing, memorials may be made to the Knob Prairie Cemetery and will be accepted at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville. Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville