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Russell J. VanVorst, age 78, of Eaton Rapids, passed away Dec. 4, 2010, in Charlotte.
He was born April 11, 1932, in Colon, a son of Clyde and Marie (Hackett) VanVorst.
Russell graduated from Colon High School in 1950. He was a Korean War veteran serving in the United States Army. He retired from the State of Michigan in 1985.
Russell was a member of the VFW, American Legion, AmVets, all-color tractor club and the two-cylinder club. He loved making new inventions. One of those inventions was a chicken catcher. Russell also enjoyed farming, traveling, wintering in Harlingen, Texas, and restoring antique John Deere tractors.
Russell is survived by his daughters, Karry (Douglas) Trickey of Eaton Rapids and Kelly Haughton of Bakersfield, Calif.; his first wife, Gertrude VanVorst of Onondaga; his third wife, Myra Jeanie Fancher of Eaton Rapids; a granddaughter, Jenelle Trickey of Eaton Rapids; a brother, Clyde VanVorst of Colon; sisters, Marjorie (William) Geiger of Coldwater, Phyllis Brown of Genison; a sister-in-law, Mary VanVorst of Colon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his second wife, Dorothy (Lipsett) VanVorst; a brother, Leslie VanVorst; a sister-in-law, Esther VanVorst; and two nephews.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, and on Wednesday, one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service, at the First Lutheran Church, 550 E. Shepherd St. Charlotte. Pastor Timothy Olsen will officiate.
Interment will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice, 2675 S. Cochran, Charlotte, MI 48813.
