Russell Fox, 75

Russell L. Fox, age 75 of Mendon, died Thursday July 29, 2010 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo following a 5 day illness. He was born in Homer, MI on June 11, 1935 the son of Elmer and Mabel (Rapson) Fox, and attended Homer Schools. Russell was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force. He was an independent iron-worker and was a member of Iron Workers Local 340 in Battle Creek, and later worked at Express-One. Russell was an outdoorsman and was a member of the N.R.A.; the Turkey Federation; the Coon Hunters Association; and a member of the Friends of the St. Joseph River. He also enjoyed playing cars, especially Poker and Cribbage.

Russell was married to Lois (Wines) Douglas in Battle Creek on June 4, 1966. She survives along with 4 daughters, Debbie Ivie of Mendon, Cindy (James) Jacobs of Sturgis, Beatrice Loker of Mendon, and Mary Stafford of LaGrange; 11 grandchildren, Shylia (George) Leonard, Keri (Eric) Roe, Amanda (Jason) Parshall, Joshua Blount, Amy (Shane) Mikel, Angela (Dustin) Swarthout, Laura Loker, Tracy Jackson, Lois (Greg) Miller, Chris (Andria) Standish, and Jeffrey “JD” Stafford; 28 great-grandchildren; a brother Richard (Faye) Fox of Grand Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Dwight Douglas; a granddaughter, Jenny Loker; 2 brothers, Al Fox and Freeman Fox; and 2 sisters, Agnes Kinsley and Betty Sullivan.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday August 2, 2010 at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Booko of Riverside Church officiating. Military interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon. Memorials may be directed to the family. An online register is available and condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com