Donald Arthur Russell
Heaven gained a special Angel on Sunday, December 8, 2013, when Donald A. Russell, age 72, was called to his heavenly home. Born in Bloomington, IL, Don the son of Arthur and June A. (Gamble) Russell-Osterhold married Christine Mast on June 25, 1982, she survives.
Don attended Irving Grade School in Quincy, IL and was a 1959 graduate of Quincy Senior High School.
He worked for 26 years as an optician in multiple optical shops including Quincy Clinic, Vision & Hearing, Site Optical and Sears Optical. Don went to work with Royal Optical, located in South Bend, IN, where he was a district manager, responsible for training and operations of 12 optical stores throughout Indiana and Michigan. He worked for Midland Optical as an eyeglass frame salesman and was the owner and operator of Clear Image Optical with an office in Quincy, IL and Lewistown, MO.
Don felt it was an honor to work for our Lord thru WTJR-TV, Channel 16, first as a master control technician and more recently as production assistant.
Don was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church where he served as an usher and communion minister. Don and wife Chris participated in the Engaged Couples program for several years hosting 35 couples in preparation for marriage.
Among his family, Don was referred to as a “professional volunteer”. He enjoyed helping others and over-the-years did volunteer work for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Right to Life of Adams County, Quincy Noon Lions Club and Relay for Life of Adams County. He was also very active with the Quincy Community Theatre for 26 years working as stage manager and being a board member for 2 years. Don earned the directors award & the Enid Ireland award.
His most passionate volunteer program was the Miss America Scholarship program which involved the Miss Quincy Scholarship pageant for over 20 years. His involvement also carried over to the Adams County Fair Pageant. For the last 10 years he was a very avid pageant coach and trainer for the Miss America program working with numerous contestants.
Don adopted the motto “Positive Heals, Negative Destroys” as he battled with cancer for 14 years, being told 16 times “you have cancer again.” He won his reward when Jesus called him home. He encourages others to “live life to the fullest by God’s Laws, smile and be positive!
In addition to his wife Chris, survivors also include his children, Steve Russell and wife Raina of Florissant, MO; Brian Russell of Hazelwood, MO; Darin Russell and wife Rene of Harrisburg, PA; Dena Grunwaldt and husband Brian of St. Charles, Mo; and Lindsay Kinard and husband Preston of Quincy. A brother, Charles Russell and his wife Margie of Warsaw, IN; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Mast of Fowler, IL;11 grandchildren, Kris, Nic and Arielle Smith; Sam, Danny, Timmy and Lilly Russell all of Florissant, MO; Kelsey and Lauren Grunwaldt of St. Charles, MO; Tyler Russell of Harrisburg, PA and Alex Kinard of Quincy. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, and his step-father, Clarence “Oakie” Osterhold and father-in-law, Carl A. Mast in addition to other aunts and uncles..
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Blessing Foundation for HOSPICE or to the 700 Club through CBN. www.dukerandhaugh.com
Dear Christine & Family,
I am so sad to hear this news. I am not for sure if you will remember me but, I was Miss Quincy in 1996 and loved working with Don. The Miss Quincy pageant was my first and only time competing in a pageant in my life and he molded me into such a personable young lady. He believed in me when no one else did. I will never forget his smile and the gleam in his eyes when I went to Miss Illinois. I regret not staying in touch with him. I moved to Chicago in 2001 and married in 2004. Sounds like he was such a fighter! I will be forever grateful that he was in my life and the wonderful qualities he taught me, and that are still with me today.
He is looking down on us with that wonderful smile and isn’t suffering anymore. You have my most sincere condolences. I will always have a special place in my heart for Don.
Sincerely,
Kim Ebbole
Chris:
We just heard about Don’s death over the weekend. I would have liked to have attended the funeral. Please accept our condolences. We really enjoyed the limited time we had together in our Why C group.
Chris
I justheard the news about Don. I am sooooo very sorry. He was such a good man & very good friend. One that will be forever missed. But God needed a very special Angel at this time and a very “special Angel” he got. You and your family will be in my thoughts & prayers.
Dear Chris & family,
I am praying for you during your loss. I know that this was hard but I know that Don was ready to meet his Savior. Thinking about you all!!
Don has done a lot for me in the past 4 years and I will miss him so much!!!! Its so hard for me to ever think this has happened but it has and im in deep pain and sorrow. He has meant so much to me and has done a lot. I Will truly miss him and never forget him. love u always Don
Love Kaylyn
Praying for you Chris, and your family. Don and I had some tremendous visits during the past 10 years at Quincy Relay for Life. I found him to be exceptionally positive, deeply spiritual, and a great encourager to all who knew him. He will be missed by many.
Bruce Rice
I will miss my dear friend…from the first time I met him at our 13th and Payson Little Theatre, he was one of the most devoted
volunteers at the theatre, and he and Chris attended every play and musical. He was the best stage manager, cast committee member, he took responsibility and enjoyed each new adventure with a passion. The last coffee meeting at McDonalds that we had for 3 hours…he told me not to cry when he died because he would be smiling and he would be happy to be going home to his Lord! May God continue to bless him and his family.
My sincere Christian condolences to Chris and family. I have know both Don and Chris for many years and enjoyed their positive attitude and Christian love. I know Don will be greatly missed.
To Don’s Family –
I am so sorry for your loss. Don was a wonderful man who lived to serve Jesus and spread his word. He was a man who always put his heart and soul into everything that he did. His long fight through cancer did not slow him down one bit. I was fortunate enough to have the honor to work with Don during my reign as the 2011 Miss Adams County Fair Queen. I learned so much from him. One thing is for sure – he had a passion to help young women achieve their dreams. I know that he is in Jesus’ arms right now in his heavenly home. I pray that the good Lord blesses you with strength to get you through this very difficult time. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Erica Mitchell
Chris I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love u guys so much. Will miss don lots.
Christine- May you find comfort in knowing Don is with his heavenly Father and his gracious impact on so many lives will be revealed to him while speaking with Jesus. God bless you and your family. Michelle