Russel R Dagit

Born November 3, 1924 in Green Valley to Charles Adolf and Clara Elizabeth (Volk) Dagit, he married Alberta Florence Harlan on September 4, 1942 in Pekin. He later married Christal Elaine Miller on September 4, 1966 in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Roy (Debbie) Dagit of Pekin and Everett (Sheila) Dagit of Spring Hill, FL; one daughter, Marnie Linda (Tommy) Lively of Lawrenceville, GA; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Louis Dagit; and one sister, Dorothy DeGroot.

Russel was a stores control clerk at Caterpillar, Inc., retiring in 1974 after 31 years of service. He had previously worked at Boss Glove Factory in Peoria and worked on the building of Camp Ellis during WWII.

He was a member of the Tazewell County Historic Places Society and the Tazewell County Museum & Educational Center, where he was an active volunteer building bookcases, shelves and hanging most of the pictures in the picture gallery. He enjoyed building and repairing items for the museum. He helped in the research for the Dagit family history.

Russel was also a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pekin, Peoria Motorcycle Club, the Caterpillar Camping Club and the McDonald’s Coffee Club. He was an avid motorcycle rider, enjoyed the outdoors, and working in his garage. He often stated that work was his hobby.

His funeral will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, where visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. The Rev. Glenn R.A. Niemann will officiate. Private burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tazewell County Museum & Educational Center, 2950 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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