Rev. Harry R. Russell
January 03, 2013
Rev. Harry Russell, 92, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2013, at the VA Hospital in Des Moines. He was born February 27, 1920, in Marion County, Iowa, son of Alexander and Emma (McDaniel) Russell.
Harry was an ordained minister for 55, years and was a member at First Church of the Open Bible in Des Moines. He served in the United States Army during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1953. Harry was a member of the VFW and American Legion Post 0274.
Harry is survived by his son, Gary (Maggie) of Hoschton, GA; daughter, Joyce (Ralph) Vance of Des Moines; son, Robert (Terri) of Earlham; son-in-law, Chuck Maples of Des Moines; 16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen; daughter, Rosalind; grandson, Jeremy, and his great-grandson, David.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at First Church of the Open Bible, 2200 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, at Hamilton's near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family in loving memory of Harry.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Megan Adams
01/10/2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to Harry's family. I had the pleasure of seeing Harry's smile everyday and it will be missed. His stories made me wiser and reminded me to live each day for tomorrow for tomorrow is a gift. A true hero was lost and may we all find peace in our memories.
Judy Johnston
01/08/2013
Joyce, Gary, Bobby, Chuck and familes: Thinking of all of you today. Praying for faith and strength to get you through today.
Love to all of you,
Judy & Jim & family
Daniel Szczygielski
01/07/2013
Grandpa Russell is now at rest with Grandma Russell, Grandma Maples and David, among many others he truly cared about! I will always miss going to his house and and helping myself to a handful of mints! I'm well educated on WW2 just based on his stories! I will never forget going to his house and digging out the Legos! He will never be forgotten! He is in a better place now! No more suffering!
My thoughts are with my family during this time of grieving!!
Madison Deegan
01/07/2013
I have heard many stories about Grandpa Russell. It is a shame that I never had the chance to meet him. But it is clear that he was a great person and has impacted many lives. He will be dearly missed. My thoughts and condolences are with everyone who is grieving at this time.
Melvin Szymanski
01/07/2013
It was with both Sorrow and Joy that I reacted with upon hearing the news of Grandpa Russell passing. He lived a long life and it was time for him to start a new journey.
He was definitely one of the "Greatest" Men I have ever known. A strong head of his family, a wise servant of God, a loving and caring grandfather, a Proud Veteran. I doubt I can ever achieve all that he has, but I feel it would be near impossible to find a better man to look up to.
With all that he was, its amazing to think of what he can and will be with an eternity to spend now in heaven, worshiping god, and bringing our heartfelt sorrows to those that have already started that journey.
I know he will be strongly missed by many, but his strength and wise guidance is needed elsewhere now.
Go with and to God now Grandpa.
Love,
Mel Szymanski
Kathe Fosnaugh
01/06/2013
I will truly miss this Wonderful Ol'Guy and all of his story's .He use to bring Helen to get her hair done every Fri.at 10 am and every Fri. I got a sweet roll.. Our favorite ( he and I )
was a Cream Horn from the Highland Park Bakery.He would tell me stories about the war and finally getting his Medals &How Proud it made him feel to go on the Honor Flight .He helped me when I lost my dad and then my mom.He was able to give me just the right words to keep moving on. He always called me the KID.... I know he was getting tired and he missed Helen Oh so much.I want to just thanks Harry from the bottom of my Heart for What you gave and did for this Kid...I Love you and I will Miss you. Kiss Helen and myDad & Mom for me.