Jimmy S Russell

Born October 22, 1948 in Decatur, AL to Eric and M. Azzilee (Williams) Russell, he married Wendy Williams on May 24, 1980 in Pekin.  She survives.

Also surviving are his three daughters, Judy (Steve) Franken of Trivoli, Melanie (Anthony) Bush of Honolulu, HI and Leslie Russell (Ken Rout) of West Peoria.  Also surviving are five granddaughters, Ashlee, Shelby and Adyson Franken, Amelia Bottorff and Jessica Neyt.  He is also survived by two brothers, Larry (Becky) Russell of East Peoria, Tom (Sue) Russell of Bartonville and one sister Lyn (Brian) Kilgore of Hanna City, along with many nephews and a niece. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim graduated from Manual High School in 1966 and went to work at Caterpillar, Inc. where he was a maintenance welder for 32 years before retiring in 1988. 

He coached JFL football at Manual for 10 years and then coached JFL football in Pekin for 10 more.  He was a volunteer football coach at Manual High School, Chetek (WI) High School and at Pekin Community High School.  He loved high school and college football.  His favorite college team was (Ala)BAMA.  He was also a big Green Bay Packer fan since he was a young boy.  He was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan as well.

Jim loved to crappie fish in Chetek, WI – especially with his granddaughters.  They were the light of his life.

After retiring from CAT, Jim worked for BGK Management, which managed the Associated Bank building in Peoria.  He also worked for a time as a parts driver for Uftring Auto-Mall.  His last employment was at Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria, last working in January of this year.

He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2011 at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin.  The Rev. Dwight E. Borden will officiate.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, and also from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.  Cremation will be accorded following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com