Louis C. Russell age 89 of Greenville died Saturday February 9, 2008 at Porter Hills Retirement Community Grand Rapids. He was born April 16, 1918 in Alma MI the son of Lewis George and Louise Piffer Russell. He moved to Carson City as a child and attended St. Marys Academy graduating in 1936. He began his career in the US Postal Service in 1934 while in High School and then on to Lincoln Park, MI until enlisting the US Navy in WW II in November 1942 and served in Washington DC with the US Navy Bureau of Ships for registration and contracts, and served in the Pacific Theater in the Philippine Islands, New Guinea, Letye Gulf and Antarctic Islands on an LCT (6) # 948 as a Yeoman 1st Class for the duration of the War. Upon discharge in 1945 he returned to the Postal Service in Lincoln Park
He was transferred to the Greenville Post Office in 1946 and was appointed Postmaster in June 1963 as the last political appointed postmaster for Greenville. His commission was officially given by President Kennedy on Oct. 2, 1963. He was a member of the National. Association of Postmasters of the United States and retired from the Postal Service in 1972 with 39 years of service.
He was married at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler MI to Mary E. Esper by her uncle the Rev. Father George Esper. Mary and Louie were active in the Greenville Community. In their church, St. Charles Catholic, he served on the Cemetery Committee as chairman, was the Bingo Caller for many years, an usher, altar server, helped with the school building, started the little league teams, served as chairman for the building of the Activities room and gym. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus St. Charles council # 2084 serving as financial secretary for 15 years and became a Grand Knight.
He was a life member of the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post # 101 serving as Post Commander, a life member of the Cleveland -Wolverton VFW Post # 3794 of Greenville, member of Michigan Sheriffs Association, the TPA Post G of Greenville where he served as President, secretary and treasurer, charter member of the statue of Liberty and Ellis Island foundation, former member of the Greenville Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Eureka Township government on the Zoning Board of Appeals and Review Board. He ran on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated for Michigan State Representative 99th District. He also served as trustee for the Montcalm Veterans Trust Fund.
He enjoyed golfing and fishing especially teaching his grand children to catch their first fish. He and his wife loved traveling the country with their travel trailer having seen all 50 states (with the exception of Idaho) and Canada and Mexico. He and Mary visited the South Africa while their daughter was in the Peace Corp.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 2000, his infant son, Charles Joseph in 1951, his twin brothers Donald and Robert , brother Walter Bud , sisters; Marge Irish and Virginia Cunningham, daughter-in-law Jackie Russell in 2006 and great grandchild Jayden Lynn in 2006.
He is survived by his children; Kathleen Russell of Grand Rapids, James Russell of Grand Rapids, Joanne and James Schenden of Greenville, grandchildren; Jason and Joseph Schenden of Greenville and Joshua and Mindy Schenden of Lakeview and Cathryn Russell and friend Matt Sonet of Grand Rapids, great grandchildren; Taylor, Jenna ,Courtney and Zachary, his brother Carroll and Martha Russell of Phoenix and sister-in-law, Margaret Esper of Owosso his foster son Donald Stalter and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday February 13, 2008 at 11 AM at St. Charles Catholic Church with Father Phil Salmonowicz a celebrant. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at Hurst Funeral Home with a vigil service at 6 PM
Burial will be in St. Charles Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post #101 and VFW Post # 3794 and the US Navy. In lieu of Flowers Memorial contributions may be given to St. Charles School or Noorthoek Academy, P O Box 6241 , Grand Rapids, MI 49516.
