Donald Wesley Russell

Donald Wesley Russell Sr., 89, of Westerville, died Thursday, December 9, 2010. He was born April 16, 1921 in Columbus to the late Ralph Orman and Emma Russell. He was a graduate of Central High School where he starred in both football and basketball. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in WWII. He worked for twenty years with the Athletic Equipment Co. in Linworth, OH which was founded by his father and operated by the Russell family. He was a mail carrier with the Worthington Post Office. He was a lifelong member of Linworth United Methodist Church and had recently reaffirmed his faith in Jesus Christ, His Lord and Savior. He was a handyman, loved gardening and taking the family for rides, especially in the rain. He had an extraordinary work ethic and was a devoted husband and father, dedicating his life to his family. Preceded in death by sisters Ruth Douglass, Helen Lemert, brother Harlan George Russell. Surviving is his wife Margaret whom he married on June 17, 1941, his four children Elise (Maynard) Person, Donald (Anne) Russell Jr., Marsha (Ken) Short, Ralph (Rebecca) Russell II, sister Elgene Higgins, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren. Family will receive friends Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High St. (1/2 mile south of I-270) where a funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10 AM. Family will observe private burial. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601-7633. Online condolences may be made to www.schoedinger.com