He was born on November 28, 1936 in DeWitt Township, the son of Herbert and Mabel (Zischke) Bauerle.
Russel graduated from the Bath Consolidated School as valedictorian and Michigan State University with honors. He served in the Michigan National Guard before working as a hydraulic engineer for 28 years for the US Soil Conservation Service.
His true passion was farming, which he engaged in most of his life, and saw his 540-acre family farm become a centennial farm. He enjoyed taking his grandkids for Gator rides through the fields and woods.
Russel served as a Clinton County Road Commissioner and County Commissioner, helped set up voting machines for DeWitt and Bath Townships for 25 years. He was a member of Redeemer United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Connie (Cressman) Bauerle in 2018, whom he married on March 22, 1958.
He is survived by his children, Ronald, Laura (Otha) Weaver, and Paul (Mary); grandchildren, Sarah, Matthew, and Joshua Bauerle, Kira (Jesse) Tang, and Deidra Weaver; sisters, Ruth (Robert) Fink, Roberta Kelley, and Rosalyn (Ted) Culver; also many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home DeWitt Chapel, 205 E. Washington, St., DeWitt. Interment will follow at DeWitt Cemetery. The family will receive visitors on Friday, November 26, 2021 from 6-8 PM at the Funeral Home and from 10-11 AM on Saturday prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Russel may be made to Redeemer United Methodist Church, 13980 Schavey Rd., DeWitt, MI 48820 or to the American Cancer Society 1755 Abbey Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823.
A special thanks to the staff of the Woodlands of DeWitt and Sparrow Hospice for their compassionate care of Russel. To leave a cherished memory or words of sympathy for the family please visit www.grdewitt.com.
PALLBEARERS
Eric Voisinet
Dan Cable
Pat Zeeb
Matthew Bauerle
Joshua Bauerle
Ted Myers
Ryan Cressman
Travis Cressman
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