Virgil R. Russell

Memorial Services for Virgil R. Russell will be conducted from the Evangelical Free Church in Orleans, Nebraska on Friday, November 30, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor William Bills, officiating. Inurnment will be in the Stamford Cemetery at Stamford, Nebraska with military honors provided by the Merlin Palmer American Legion Post #233 of Stamford.

Virgil Ray Russell, 84 years of age, of Stamford, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2007 at the Harlan County Health Systems in Alma, Nebraska. Virgil was born August 18, 1923 south of Orleans in Harlan County, Nebraska, the 6th of 13 children of Joseph and Mary (Miller) Russell. He received his education from Orleans, graduating from Orleans High School with the class of 1941.

On December 26, 1942 he was united in marriage to Ilene Marie Logston in Smith Center, Kansas and the couple were blessed with three children: Marcia, Maurita and LeRoy. The couple made their home in Grand Island, Nebraska, while Virgil served his country during WW II in the United States Army. Virgil was inducted July 21, 1944 and was discharged October 24, 1945. He served with the 11th Armored Infantry and 82nd Airborne overseas in Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He received medals and ribbons which included: Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Battle Stars for Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Central Europe. Virgil made a decision to dedicate his life to the Lord while he was in the service and he always said, "It wasn't a fox hole decision." Following his honorable discharge, the family purchased a farm three miles south of Stamford, where they resided until their retirement in 1977 and moved into Stamford. Virgil was also employed by the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for over 30 years. On February 3, 2006 he was preceded in death by his wife, Ilene.

He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Orleans, enjoyed tending to his livestock during his working years and loved spending time with his family. He was also a member of the Merlin Palmer American Legion Post #233 in Stamford and active with the Gideon's International.

He leaves to mourn his passing his two daughters: Marcia Roberts and her husband, Neal of Orleans and Maurita Churchill and her husband, Tom of Blair, Nebraska; one son, LeRoy Russell and his wife, Jolene of Scott City, Kansas; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four sisters: Hazel Chapin of Portland, Oregon, Louella Smith of Phillipsburg, Kansas, Opal Jarmin of San Antonio, Texas and Sharlene Matthies and her husband, Floyd of Littleton, Colorado; three brothers: Don Russell and his wife, Leona of Colorado, Glenn Russell and his wife, Delores of Utah and Tom Russell and his wife, Claudette of Riverton, Nebraska;and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Leonard and Clifford Russell and Stanley Russell in infancy; two sisters: Frances Johnson and Flossie Steinhouer; sisters-in-law: Vena Russell and Evelyn Russell; and brothers-in-law: Ed Chapin, Wayne Smith and Grady Jarman.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Virgil's wish for cremation.

Memorials may be given to the Stamford Fire Dept. or the Harlan County Senior Center.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans is in charge of the arrangements.