RUSSELL E. MARTIN

Russell Martin

Russell E. Martin, 87, of Bluffs, formerly of Beardstown, died Dec. 17, 2020, at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville.

He was born June 19, 1933, in Chandlerville, a son of Robert William and Lela Mae Smith Martin. He married Iola May Birdsell on Aug. 22, 1953, in Chandlerville. She preceded him in death on May 22, 2009.

He also was preceded in death by one son, Russell Alan Martin; one grandson, Andrew Joseph Morris; and four brothers, Jim, Raymond, Johnny Bob and Hank Martin.

Surviving are three children, Deborah (and John) Smith of Beardstown, Rodney Martin of Meredosia and Brenda Danner of Astoria; one brother, Eddie (and Ruth) Martin of Chandlerville; six grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean War.

He worked high line construction for L E Myers Company and N G Gilbert Corp. out of IBEW Local 51 in Springfield, then was employed at Oscar Mayer in Beardstown for 15 years.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown with burial at Beardstown City Cemetery. Due to the current health situation, face masks will be required, and to comply with social distancing guidelines, a limited number of people will be allowed in the funeral home at one time.

Memorials may be made to Guthrie-Pierce VFW Post 1239.

Condolences may be sent to www.sagerfuneralhome.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 12/23/2020