Dorothy Fern (Newcomb) Russell

Dorothy Fern Russell, age 91, of Richview, Illinois, formerly of Irvington, Illinois, peacefully passed away at 3:25 P.M. on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Washington County Hospital Extended Care in Nashville, Illinois with her family by her side.  She was born on November 13, 1925 in Washington County, Illinois, the daughter of the late Jack and Ruth M. (Smith) Newcomb.  She married Albert Friend on June 16, 1943 at the Irvington Methodist Parsonage and he died on March 25, 1947 in the Wamac Coal Mine # 5 Disaster.  She later married Thomas Leslie “Jr.” Russell on April 12, 1950 at the Irvington Methodist Parsonage by Reverend James Owens and he preceded her in death on March 8, 2010.

Mrs. Russell is survived by her son; Les Russell and wife Margie of Richview, Illinois; daughter; Janet Bigley and husband Steven of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; three grandchildren; Lisa Forehand and husband L.D. of Salem, Illinois, Craig Russell and wife Liz of Round Lake, Illinois and Becky Bossier and husband Jim of St. Charles, Missouri; five great-grandchildren; Rachael Forehand, Zachary Thomas Russell, Emmett Russell,  Tony Bossier and Alice Bossier; sister; Ethel Bailey of Beardstown, Illinois and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Russell was preceded in death by her husbands; Albert Friend and Thomas Leslie “Jr.” Russell; sister; Helen Johnson; nephew; Terry Hogge and brothers-in-law; Earl Huggins, Bob Bailey and Bill Johnson.

Mrs. Russell was a member of the United Methodist Church in Irvington, Illinois, where she was a member of United Methodist Women. She was devoted to her husband and later in life traveled with her husband and friends to places such as Hawaii, Nova Scotia and Branson.  She enjoyed tending to her rose and vegetable gardens.   Mrs. Russell cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was said that her family always came first with her and she loved family get-togethers, particularly, being part of the family holidays.  She liked the companionship of her dog, Happy, for many years.

Mrs. Russell met and married Thomas L. Russell while employed at J.C. Sternberg General Store, starting a new chapter as a homemaker and farm wife who worked along side her husband on their farm.  She was employed at Droege Market in Irvington in the 1970’s and at a laundry shop in Centralia in the 1950’s.  She was employed at J.C. Sternberg General Store in Richview, Illinois, following the death of her husband, Albert Friend.  Mrs. Russell lived all of her life in Washington County, Illinois.

A Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 9, 2017 at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Mr. Glen Hulvey officiating.  Interment will follow in the Richview Cemetery in Richview, Illinois.  Friends are invited to visit with Mrs. Russell’s family on Thursday, June 8, 2017, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. and on Friday, June 9, 2017, from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Russell’s memory to Richview Cemetery and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mrs. Russell’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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