Jack D. Russell

Jack D. Russell, 72, of Gifford, IL passed away at 11:37 on September 24, 2024 at Carle Foundation Hospital following a brief illness. Jack was born on December 5, 1951 at Lockbourne AFB in Ohio. He was the son of Roscoe G. and Norma (Beasecker) Russell. They preceded him in death.

He married Carol Booker, they had 2 sons. He later married Vicki Ray on September 20, 1985 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church north of Penfield, IL.

Survivors include his wife, Vicki of Gifford, his children, Shawn C. Russell of Vermont, Darin (Jamie) Reynolds of Veedersburg, IN, Ryan A. Russell of Massachusetts, and Jana (Butch) Cross of Paxton, IL. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 2 siblings, Jon “Scott” (Jill) Russell of Fairbury, IL and Margo Russell of Australia, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by one son, Danny H. Reynolds, his sister and brother-in-law, Karen & Denny Newell, 1 nephew and 3 great nieces.

Jack served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam era where he worked in missiles. He retired from the Danville’s V.A. Illiana Healthcare Center where he worked in the E.M.S. department. He also worked for National Would Care as a Bio Med Tech and the telephone company Alltel as a Central Office Tech. Jack was a member of Harvest Church in Urbana, IL.

Jack was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a devoted Dog Dad to his 9 chihuahuas. Seldom yelling as he herded them through the house and shared our kingsize bed with them. He deeply loved his family. He enjoyed spending time with his vintage 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente, “Clementine”. He loved being outdoors camping and fishing. He was a talented artist who enjoyed painting with acrylics and giving his paintings as gifts. He spent many hours flying vintage airplanes on his WWII flight simulator and he was a pool shark online. His favorite pastime was “going to town to get what we needed” and getting his daily fix of Columbian Coffee.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 PM on Monday, September 30, 2024 at Harvest Church, 2118 Cindy Lynn Street, Urbana, Illinois 61802. Pastor John Callahan will officiate. Private burial will be in Danville’s National Cemetery at a later date, full Military Rites will be accorded.

Memorials may be made to his family or in his memory to Harvest Church in Urbana, IL. Please join Jack’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .