RUSSELL G. SMITH

Russell Smith

Retired Master Sergeant USAF, Russell G. Smith, 85, of Browning died at 10 a.m. Aug. 15, 2020, at his home.

He was born April 25, 1935, in Schuyler County, a son of Glen and Helen M. Vaughn Smith Sr. He first married Elizabeth Pavlovi in Germany. He later married Judy Johnson Gregerson on April 13, 1979, in Marinette, Wis. She preceded him in death on Sept. 24, 2003.

He also was preceded in death by one grandson, Chad Carter; two brothers, Carl LeRoy Smith and Glen Smith Jr.; and two sisters, Frances Smith and Rosalee Morgan.

Surviving are two children, Elka (and Mike) Carter of Long Valley Junction, Utah, and Ralph (and Ramona) Smith of Browning; two stepchildren, Lance (and Nikki) Gregerson of Browning and Leslie (and Mike) Bowman of Dallas, Ga.; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was a 1955 graduate of Rushville High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and began a 23-year career retiring with rank of Master Sergeant. He and his wife Judy owned and operated a gas station in Browning. He also retired from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville with Bishop Shea Trost officiating. Burial will follow in the Rushville City Cemetery with military rites by the United States Air Force Burial Detail and the Schuyler American Legion Post #4. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Browning Senior Citizens Center or the Rushville Rocket Boosters.

You may share memories, leave condolences and view his memorial video at www.woodfh.net.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 8/19/2020