Obit: Russo, Raeford M. (1924 - 2005)

 
Contact: Ken
Email: ken@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Russo, Cork, Wills, Steiner, Lee, Turbin, Arneson

----Source: Ashland Daily Press (Ashland, Ashland Co., Wis.) Mon., July 25, 2005

Russo, Raeford M. (22 Apr. 1924 - 22 July 2005)

Raeford M. Russo "Ray", of Wisconsin Rapids, longtime Phillips resident, died Fri., July 22, 2005 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield at the age of 81.

He was born on April 22, 1924, in Phillips, the son of Samuel and Minnie (Cork) Russo. He attended the Arbutis Hill School, then attended and graduated from Phillips High School, Class of 1942. He served his country in the 5th Ferrying Group in the U.S. Air Force during W. W. II from 1942 to 1945. He was married to Bonnie Wills on June 13, 1945, at Rommulus Air Force Base in Rommulus, Mich. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He was affiliated with the Chicago White Sox Farm Club from 1946 to 1948. He was employed for over 20 years as a truck driver for the Price County Highway Department prior to his retirement in 1980. In his free time he was an avid sports fan who enjoyed playing and watching baseball and football, hunting and fishing with his family friends. He was a member of the Lane-Kreiling American Post #122, Phillips and also a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Phillips.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie, Wisconsin Rapids; two daughters, Karen Steiner and Linda Rae (Kynn) Lee, both of Wisconsin Rapids; two sons, Michael (Toni), of Tomahawk, and Richard (Jill), of Oshkosh; seven grandchildren; a brother, Cecil, of Phillips, and a sister, Rosalie (Chester) Turbin, of Wisconsin Rapids. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Service will be held Sat. July 30, at 4 p.m. at the Heindl Funeral Home, Phillips, with Pastor Matthew Arneson of the First Presbyterian Church, Phillips, officiating. Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Sat. at the funeral home until the hour of the service. Military Honors will be conducted by the Lane-Kreiling American Post #122 and the Frank and Michael Baran VFW Post #5778, both of Phillips.

The Heindl Funeral Home, Phillips, is in charge of the arrangements.