This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: ELMmom Surnames: Russell Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.russell/6628/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Orrin Alroy Russell, age 94, passed away May 15,2008 at his home in Jackson, Mich., in the care of his 2002 bride, Jeanette, and Elder Care of Jackson worker Lillian Donnelly. He is also survived by two brothers, William A. Russell of St. Johns, Mich., and Dr. Robert R. Russell of Rolla, Mo.; his son Roderick (Janet), and granddaughters Cynthia Russell and Laveta Diana (Patrick) Buechter of Lake Ozark, Mo., and Rebecca (Joe) Gamm of Snohomish, Wash.; grandsons Mark and Michael Anderon and their children and grandchildren, great grand twins Brandon and Ashley Buechter, several nieces, nephews and cousins; stepson Mark Havens of Litchfield, Mich., and stepdaughters Vicki Branch of Camden, Mich., Elaine (John) Addleman of North Adams, Mich., Diana (Elliott) Hilyard of Hillsdale, Mich.; 11 step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18,2008 at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Floral Hills Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior ! to the service. Burial in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. Orrin was born December 28, 1913, in Portland, Ore., and spent his childhood on Lummi Island in Puget Sound. He delivered the Independence Examiner to about 150 customers during his high school years and graduated from Chrisman High in 1933. He studied electricity and electronics in community college. After achieving journeyman status as an electrician, he and a partner briefly operated an electrical repair service. During his employment at General Motors' Leeds plant, Orrin had charge of the control room, managing the production lines. During WWII when GM worked as a defense industry, Orrin had clearance to equip the bomb sites in B-52 planes. He retired from GM in 1972, always a union man. In the 1950s, Orrin built Russell's Snug Harbor Marina on Lake of the Ozarks and after retirement, operated a machine shop repair service from his garage. In 1934 he married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Stafford, who became the mother of his daughter June and son Roderick. Wilma pre! ceded Orrin in death in 1944, and June Russell Anderson succumbed to cancer at age 38. In 1945, Orrin married Naomi Ruth Schwensen, who preceded him in death in 1997. He was baptized in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- now Community of Christ- at age 13 and remained a faithful member to the end. Orrin has always enjoyed traveling with friends and family, including a bicycle trip in the late 30s aborted after 50 miles when he and Wilma had to cancel due to sudden illness. He'd visited all 50 states and half the Canadian provinces, as well as taken European vacations. As Treasurer of the La Buena Fe mission, he visited in Honduras several times on work trips and to take vehicles, clothing and medical supplies. After marrying Jeanette, he also got to know more of Michigan, spending spring-fall in Michigan and winter months in Osage Beach, Mo. He also greatly enjoyed golf and tennis and his model railroad hobby. Orrin was a very loving and caring per! son and truly enjoyed seeing people laugh, even if the laugh was on hi mself. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at the website www.dwnewcomers.com (Arr.: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Floral Hills Chapel, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64133, at 816-353-1218.) Published in the Kansas City Star on 5/16/2008. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.