Russell C. Harley

Date of Birth

Mar 24,1947

Date of Death

Aug 17,2008

Russell Clinton Harley, age 61 of Elburn died August 17, 2008, at his home, after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born March 24, 1947, in Geneva, IL, the son of J. Garfield and Marguerite Harley. Russell grew up on the family farm and went to St. Charles schools. Through his high school years, he was active in 4-H and competed in the chess club. Following graduation in 1965, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.His future, however, would not be in education. Russell landed a job at Furnas Electric, Batavia, (now Siemen’s Corp.), and worked in a number of capacities as a manufacturing engineer. His penchant for detail and his even tempered character served the company well for thirty-seven years as he worked in Batavia as well as the Morrison and West Chicago plants. On November 8th, 1975, Russell was united in marriage to Robin Taylor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Aurora. They made their home on Superior St. in Aurora for fourteen years before moving to Elburn in 1989. Then, in 2002, they moved into the family homestead on Rt. 38, where Russell grew up as a boy. In recent years, he thoroughly enjoyed remodeling the inside of the 1860’s family farmhouse with his children. It was a fitting project to share with his children. Russell’s focus in life was all about family. His children could always count on his presence at their sporting events and school activities. When fall arrived, they could also count on going with dad to the annual Steam Power Show. It was a tradition born in Russell’s youth when he attended with his father and brothers as well. Hand in hand with tradition went Russell’s passion for history, especially family genealogy. In addition to the Steam Power Club, Russell was a member of the Fox Valley Region of Model "A" Restorers Club. He spent many hours restoring Model "A" trucks and cars and was also an avid collector of model farm toys, Pez dispensers and other memorabilia.Over the years, Russell was also a member of the Wasco Baptist Church and was Superintendent of the Campton Hills Cemetery Association. His gentle caring nature found it easy to volunteer to help anyone in need and his dry sense of humor added a smile to the hard times. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Robin;His 4 children, Ryan (Rebecca) Harley of Decatur, Daniel (Shannan) Harley of Dekalb, Erin Harley of Elburn and Krystal Harley of Dekalb;one sister, Betty (Floyd) Stoner of Arlington Heights one brother, Wendell (Kathy) Harley of Elburn; one sister-in-law, Candice "Candy" Harley of Sycamoreand many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Isaac and Minnie Harley, his maternal grandparents, Harry and Nellie Jones, his parents J. Garfield and Marguerite Harley, and a brother James Harley.Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2008, from 4-9 pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. Funeral services will follow Thursday, Aug. 21 at 10:30am at the funeral home with a brief visitation preceding from 9:30 am until 10:15am. Russell’s cousin and friend, the Rev. Kenneth Jones will officiate and interment will conclude at Garfield Cemetery, Campton Twp. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Russell’s name to benefit cancer research and area charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Russell Harley Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information, call 630-365-6414 or 800-8-CONLEY.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2008, from 4-9 pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. Funeral services will follow Thursday, Aug. 21 at 10:30am at the funeral home with a brief visitation preceding from 9:30 am until 10:15am. Russell’s cousin and friend, the Rev. Kenneth Jones will officiate and interment will conclude at Garfield Cemetery, Campton Twp.

MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Russell’s name to benefit cancer research and area charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Russell Harley Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information, call 630-365-6414 or 800-8-CONLEY.

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