Gary Joe Russell

Gary was born on February 24, 1944 in Carbondale, IL (Jackson County). He was the son of the late Clarence Edward Russell Sr. and Dorothy Mae Aaron. Gary was in the US Army and served in the Vietnam war from 1966-1967. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1968, Gary worked at American Distillery in Pekin, IL for 15 years until the company closed after 125 years in business. In 1983, Gary and his family moved to Northern IL, eventually settling in Kenosha, WI. Gary worked for R.R. Donnelly in Elk Grove Village, IL, retiring in October 2011, after 28 years of service. Gary married the love of his life, Peggy Lynn Adams, on December 4, 1971 in Peoria, IL. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2021 surrounded by their loving family.

Gary is survived by his widow, Peggy of Kenosha, WI; Daughter, Jennifer Lynn Fitzi-Schroeder and her husband Pete of Pleasant Prairie, WI; Son Daniel Edward (Danny) and his wife Jeaneen of Stevenson Ranch, CA. Grandchildren Kaitlynn (Kati) Ann Fitzi; Jessica (Jess) Daniele Abbott (Fitzi) and spouse Avery Grace Abbott; Peter Joel Schroeder Jr. (PJ) all of Kenosha, WI; Jonathan Gary Schroeder and McKenna Karen Schroeder of Pleasant Prairie, WI; Jordanna (Jordi) Song Russell and Roan Daniel Russell of Stevenson Ranch, CA.

Gary is further survived by his siblings: Doug (Judi) Russell of Hanna City, IL; Bonnie (Leo) Priebe of Huntley, IL; Rick (Tina) Russell of Bartonville, IL and Rosemary Nolan of Pekin, IL. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; Sister Diane Hay; Brother, Clarence Edward Jr (Eddie); nephew Jasen Nolan and niece Carrie Adams-LaPenta.

Gary was a loving, gentle, kind, generous man who loved his family fiercely. He was a hard worker and had an extraordinary work ethic. If you had the privilege of knowing Gary, you walked away knowing you were loved. After retirement, Gary spent his time gardening, riding his bike, walking, playing Go-Fish (“gold-fish”) with McKenna and Jonathan; Taking his grandchildren to the park, traveling to Southern California to visit his son and family, especially all the adventures they took him on while he visited. Taking trips to Las Vegas, and celebrating the big and small moments in the lives of himself and his family. His ‘dad’ jokes are legendary and we all knew he was “...so glad that we got to see him.” He was the most loving, fun Pawpaw. He adored his grandchildren and would have handed them the moon if he could have reached it. He was our hero. He has left a large hole in all of our hearts, however leaving us with a beautiful legacy of love, laughter and acceptance. There are no words that could express the true nature of our sorrow or the pain we feel after losing you. We promise to carry on your legacy, share our memories of you and pass on your ‘dad’ jokes. We can’t wait until tomorrow…

Visitation will be at Davison-Fulton in Bartonville, IL. Wednesday, August 3, 2022 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Services will be Thursday, August 4, 2022 at the funeral home at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery.

If you would like to make a donation in Gary’s name, you may make Donations to The Avery Project ( Make checks payable to By Your Side Family Support - Attn: Tamra Patton; Patton Law Offices, CS 1636 Taylor Avenue Racine, WI 53403 or PayPal: https;//bit.ly/AveryProject

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Davison-Fulton-BartonvilleChapel.com for the Russell family.