M. Russell Richardson

M. Russell Richardson, 89, of Harrisburg, died at Community General Osteopathic Hospital on Sunday, July 7, 2013. He was born in Mount Union, PA on September 23, 1923, the son of the late Noah and Grace Richardson. Russell was the husband of Ina (Blecker) Richardson whom he married on June 23, 1990.

Russell's survivors include his loving wife of almost 23 years, Ina; his son, Martin Luther Richardson (wife, Jeannie) of Plainfield, PA; his grandson John Angevine (wife Michele) of Washington, DC; his granddaughter Selena (Angevine) Runk (husband Paul) of Newville, PA; his granddaughter Karen Richardson-Griffith (husband Jim) of Carlisle, PA; and four great-grandchildren: Renee, Christopher, Jelena, and Aedan. Russell was preceded in death by his first wife, Clara "Dolly" Jelena (Sease) Richardson.

Russell was a U.S. Army World War II veteran, earning a Silver Star for gallantry and a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in Belgium. He graduated from Mount Union High School in 1942. One of his war experiences he had was with a chaplain in an open field that was strafed by German fighter planes. In his own words: "We all took cover, except for the chaplain. To our amazement, he didn't move an inch. He stood there with bowed head and Bible in hand. When the planes finally left, we went out and looked at the dry ground where the chaplain was standing, and there were bullet marks in the dust the whole way around…I will always remember what he said, "You men were trained to take cover in a situation like this, but I was trained to have faith." Russell married Clara "Dolly" Jelena Sease on July 19, 1945. The Richardson's owned and operated a baked goods stand at the West Shore Farm Market from 1963-1987. He worked for the U.S. Army Depot in New Cumberland, PA as well as for the U.S. Army War College, he retired in1987. On the passing of Dolly in 1988, Russell became active in local senior organizations, participating in social activities such as ballroom dancing. It was at one of these functions where we met Ina Blecker and the two began to see each other socially. Russell and Ina were married on June 23, 1990 and enjoyed many wonderful years together. They loved to travel, visiting scenic locations such as Nova Scotia. Russ and Ina also enjoyed gardening and volunteering for their church and enjoyed visiting with family. Friends and family are invited to join on Thursday, July 11,2013. in the viewing at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church from 10:00-10:30 and a recitation of the rosary at 10:30 and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held at Cumberland Valley Memorial Garden, Carlisle. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Saint Catherine's Church 4000 Derry St, Harrisburg 17111.

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