Joseph Allen Russell

Joseph Allen Russell, 59, Moundville, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004, as the result of an automobile accident. He was born May 24, 1944, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of James and Ruth Selbe Russell. Joe was a 1962 graduate of Fulton High School. He married Nancy Jane Brillhart in 1963, prior to leaving for the U.S. Navy. They later divorced. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was retired as a bridge builder from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad. He was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, the Elks Club in Newton, Kan., and Fort Scott, Kan., Newton Knights of Columbus and the Newton Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include his mother, Ruth E. Russell, Fort Scott, Kan.; one son, Rex Russell, Lawrence, Kan.; one daughter, Jennifer Diel, Shawnee, Kan.; 10 brothers, Jerry Russell, Don Russell and Kevin Russell, all of Fort Scott, Kan., Jim Russell, Codell, Kan., Leo Jay Russell, Natoma, Kan., Jesse Russell, Newton, Kan., Robert Russell, Lansing, Kan., Dennis Russell, San Diego, Calif., Wayne Russell, Easton, Kan., and Charles Russell, Mesa, Ariz.; two sisters, Lousie Roy, Berryville, Va., and Maurita Russell, Fort Scott, Kan. Also surviving are five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, one brother, Leslie Russell and a nephew, Jeffrey Russell.

Father Darrin May will conduct graveside services at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 3, in St. Michaels Cemetery in Fulton, Kan. A brother, Charles Russell, will give the eulogy. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday in the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the St. Michaels Cemetery Fund and may be sent to Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.