Russell Elmer Flanders

NAME Russell Elmer Flanders, age 87, of Kaneville, passed away at home following renal failure, Monday, March 17, 2008, surrounded by the love of his family. BORN: He was born December 27, 1920, the son of Mabel (Frederick) and Elmer Flanders in Sycamore, IL. EARLY YEARS :Russell grew up in Kaneville and attended local schools. He graduated from Kaneville High School in 1938 and then continued his education at Iowa State University. Russell then came home to the family farm as the fourth generation to toil in the fields and tend to the livestock. MARRIAGE Russell found the love of his life when he met H. Joan Nagel, the new teacher from Armington, Illinois. She stole his heart and they were united in marriage on Christmas Eve, 1943, in the Wesley Methodist Church in Aurora. They began their new life together back on the farm where Russell continued to farm and raise a family. Later, when he semi-retired from farming, he ran Kaneville Seed for twenty years while his son worked the family farm.MEMBERSHIPS Russell was a faithful member and trustee of the Kaneville United Methodist Church as well as a volunteer member and trustee of the Kaneville Fire Department. He also spent time on the board of education of the school in Kaneville and as the local communities consolidated, he also became a member of the Kaneland School Board and the Kane County Regional Board of School Trustees. His dedication to his heritage brought him to serve his community on the Kane County Farm Bureau, Kane County Corn Growers, Illinois Soybean Association, DeKalb Area Pork Producers, Illinois Certified Seed Association, Kane-DeKalb Cattlemen’s Association, board of directors for the Bank of Sugar Grove, as well as director of the Big Rock Mutual Insurance Company. He also was Pack Leader of Boy Scout Troup # 157. LIFE NOTES Russell had little time for hobbies but when he had time he loved to read. From Reader’s Digest, farm magazines, James Michener novels and the daily newspaper, which he read even into his last days, he was always happy with a book in his hands. He enjoyed traveling with his beautiful wife to Hawaii, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lampur among other fantastic destinations. He also took family trips through out the United States, Canada and Mexico, making memories with every mile. His grandchildren found a special place in his heart and over the years he supported them all whether in athletics, music, arts, education, and 4-H. SURVIVORS He now leaves his loving wife, Joan;Five children:Russetta (William) Rauch of Naperville, IL,Ruth Ann (John) Michelsen of Aurora, IL,Janet (Dennis) Smith of Chicago, IL,Jean (Stewart) Holmes of Oakland, NJ, and Tom (Carol) Flanders of Kaneville, IL.14 Grandchildren:Matt Rauch of Naperville, Michelle Russetta (Anand) Behara of Rosemont, ILDouglass Rauch of Willmington, ILNancy (Paul) Rivas of Aurora, ILRebecca (Richard) Michelsen-Holcombe of Bowling Green, VA, Edward Russell (Debra) Smith of Glendale Heights, IL,Thomas (Ayanna) Smith of Thousand Oaks, CA, Dena Smith of Sydney, Australia, Dana Holmes of Burlington, VT, Russell Holmes of New York, NY, Nate Flanders of Kaneville, IL, Ben Flanders of Sycamore, IL, Russell Flanders of Kaneville, IL and Zach Flanders of Kaneville, IL;Five Great-Grandchildren:Danielle Rauch, Emily Rauch, Tobias Rivas, Duncan Smith, and Griffin Russell Smith, Many nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friends. PRECEDED He now joins his parents, Mabel and Elmer, and one sister Frances and her husband Ben Gramley, who preceded him in death. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in his name to benefit to the Kaneville United Methodist Church and the Kane County Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund. Checks may be made to the "Russell Flanders’s 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 www.conleycare.com.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m., Friday, March 21, 2008, at Kaneville United Methodist Church, Kaneville, IL. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, March 22, 2008, also at Kaneville United Methodist Church, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Jason Turner, pastor of the church, with Rev. Dave Bateman, pastor of the Belvidere United Church of Christ, will co-officiate.

Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery.