Mt. Vernon Register-News, Mt. Vernon, IL Sept 17, 2014 Donald Robert Russell, 91, of Mt. Vernon, died 11:32 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, at Nature Trail Health Care Center in Mt. Vernon. He was born Monday, July 2, 1923, in Mt. Vernon, the son of James W. and Ruby Grace (Gowler) Russell. He married Bonnie E. (Williams) Day on Aug. 1, 1986, in Henderson, Ky. Don served in the Army 79th ABA, Eastern Defense Co., 17 Sig. Co., from Jan. 11, 1943 to March 9, 1946. He worked as an internal auditor for the State of Illinois and retired as an auditor for the State of Illinois Public Aid. He was a lifetime member of Mt. Vernon AMVETS Post 4, Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141, and Mt. Vernon Elks Lodge 819, and DAV. He was a past national commander of the AMVETS and a past commander of the state of Illinois AMVETS. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie E. Russell of Mt. Vernon; three children, Sandra Kay Byas and husband Harvey of Mt. Vernon, Sherry Rae Hall and husband Lloyd of Baker, La., and Donna Jean Oysten and special friend Gene Banes of Mt. Vernon; two stepsons, Bernard Day and wife Linda of Maryland and Joseph Day of Maryland; son-in-law, Len Yarborough; two nieces, Ranee Byrd and husband Roger of Clinton, Tenn., and LoLetta Pasley and husband David; three nephews, James Dale Russell and wife Gayla of Florida, Dale Wesley Russell and wife Cristel of Maryland and Brad Russell of Mt. Vernon; 16 grandchildren; and over 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, James W. Russell; mother, Ruby Grace (Gowler) Russell; two brothers, Wesley Dale Russell and wife Brenda (South) Russell and Lowell Lee Russell and wife Connie Sue (McKinney) Russell; one daughter, Pamela (Russell) Yarborough; and one grandson, Donald Ray Banes. Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the chapel at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn with Chaplain Ernie Collins officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn. Members of the Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141 will conduct full military honors at the cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Mt. Vernon AMVETS Post 4 and will be accepted at the funeral home or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfh.com for further information and to send condolences.