Theo “Ted” Russell, 85, of Lenox, formerly of Corning, died Thursday, June 29, 2017, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, July 3, at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 701 Seventh St., in Corning with the Rev. Mary O'Riley officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Corning. Open visitation with family present will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to HCI Hospice in Mount Ayr. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Theo Howard Russell, son of Howard Cecil and Hazel Florence (Kempton) Russell, was born May 6, 1932, in rural Adams County near Corning. He graduated from Jamaica High School in Jamaica with the class of 1950. Ted worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., for two years.
On July 5, 1952, Ted married Sheila Elizabeth Clifford in Washington, D.C. They would move to Jamaica to help Ted’s father farm. On Dec. 9, 1952, Ted entered the United States Army. He spent his entire time in the military in Korea during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged Nov. 2, 1954. Upon his discharge, Sheila and Ted returned to Adams County to resume farming and eventually purchased the farm they had been renting from Ted’s parents and brothers. Ted sold DeKalb seed corn and also did custom farming including custom combining. Ted retired from farming in 1994.
In the early 1980s he purchased his first computer, and became proficient in computer repair. He taught computer courses and repaired many computers.
Ted was a member of the Corning American Legion OURCQ Post No. 117 and Boots and Bows Square Dance Club.
Ted is survived by his children, Kent (Lin) Russell of Grand Canyon, Arizona, Ellen (Mike) Gray of Monticello, Illinois, Scott Russell of Corning, Beth Durham of Pleasant Hill, Paul Russell of Creston, Leah (Alan) Stalcup of Prescott and Ben (Dana) Russell of Loup City, Nebraska; grandchildren, Sean, Kevin, Sierra, Clay, Kendra, Lauren, Andy, Ray, Tynen, Ron, Bryce, McKenzie, Skylar, Cameron and Cole; many great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister Rosemary (Donald) Messersmith of Bentonville, Arkansas; sister-in-law Karean Russell of Des Moines and many other relatives and friends.
Ted was preceded in death by his wife Sheila; parents, Howard and Hazel Russell; son Charles Howard Russell and brothers, Robert, James and Boyd Russell.