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Stanley Ivan Russell, age 75, of rural Vicksburg, died Tuesday, September. 19, 2017 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Kalamazoo on September 9, 1942 the son of the late Ivan G. and Helen K. (Reed) Russell and was a lifetime resident of southwest Michigan. He graduated from Portage Central High School and took classes from A.T. Kearney Time Study of Chicago. He also attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Stanley worked at Checker Motors in Kalamazoo, at Hydra-Matic in Three Rivers, and Hycorr in Kalamazoo. He later became a sawyer, operating his own mill for 20 years.
Stanley was a member of the American Motorcycle Association. He enjoyed teaching hunting and fishing techniques to children and grandchildren and camping near East Jordan. He enjoyed a piece of pie, and was always ready to give you a poke in the ribs.
Stanley was married to Bonnie Jean Copenhafer on Dec. 4, 1965 in Kalamazoo. She survives along with two children, Keith (Connie) Russell of Vicksburg and Terri (Dale) Rutherford of Gobles; five grandchildren, James (Ashley)Russell, Megan (Nick) Rapela, Wesley (Liz) Rutherford, Robert Rutherford, and Tamera (Jacob) Ellis; six great-grandchildren, Adalynn, Kayden, Evalynn, Liliana, John, and Ember; five siblings, Louise Russell, Patricia Remmo, John (Jeannie) Russell, Mark (Kathy) Russell, and Barbara (Richard) Murphy; nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, September 29, 2017 at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon with Lou Anne Reed officiating, and where the family will receive friends for one hour prior to services. A private interment of his cremains will take place later. The family suggests that memorials be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com
