Brother Don Russell

Brother Don Russell, 61, of West Union died at 3:50 a.m. on August 1, 2011 at his home. He was born on January 4, 1950 in rural Oblong, IL, the son of Albert Russell & Charlotte Naomi McCrillis Russell. He was a Baptist minister, having shared God€™s Word with several churches, including the Donaldson Baptist Church, Schram City Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church, Olive Branch Baptist Church. He has spent the last 25 years as the minister of the West Union 1st Baptist Church. His passion was the youth, having spent 20 years as the Palestine Baptist Association Youth Director and as the camp director of the Palestine Baptist Church Camp, where over 500 youth got saved and made life-saving decisions.He married Karen Kirk on Friday, December 13, 1968, and she survives. He is also survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Kari Jo & Eugene Gower (Hutsonville, IL) Mychele Dawn & Peter Lusk (Wheeler, IL); his granddaughter, Taylor Beth Gower (Hutsonville, IL); his brother & sister-in-law, Kenneth & Nancy Russell (Oblong, IL); his sister, Charlotte Ladd (Marion, KY); as well as several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Todd Russell; as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-lawFuneral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 5 at the West Union 1st Baptist Church, with Randy Nave and Don Lusk officiating services. Burial will be in the Berlin Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 4 at the church. Memorials may be made to the West Union 1st Baptist Church, to the Palestine Baptist Church Camp, or to the Carmi Children€™s Home, with envelopes at the funeral home and at the church.