Russell Splain

Russell “Russ” J. Splain, age 81, of Aurora, IL, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2019, with the love and prayers of his family.
He was born on March 5, 1938, in Detroit, IL, to proud parents Sherman and Ruby (Markham) Splain. The family moved from central Illinois to Aurora when Russ was 10 years old. They made their home on Sard Ave. where Russ attended local schools. Once Russ came of age, he proudly went to serve his country in the United States Army.
Before he returned from the Army, he married Janet Drury and together they had three sons: Kenneth, Brian and Charles.
Russ worked for many gas stations over the years as an attendant. When there was no need for gas attendants, he decided to try his hand at automotive mechanics. For 40 years, he excelled at his new found job before finally retiring.
His love for cars was not just kept at work; it was also a large part of his spare time. Russ was a member of a local antique car club and was often found a the stock car races. Through the antique car club, he grew to love a 1938 Buick that’s now kept at home; that was his baby. You could always find Russ “behind the wheel” because the roads were his oyster and his to travel.
When Russ was younger, before he found his love of cars, he was out in the middle of nature hunting. Before there was regulation concerning hunting areas, Russ hunted everything from rabbits and squirrels to a 12-point buck. Over the years, he won many trophies.
There was never a sad moment when Russ was around. He could fill a room with laughter and smiles. The memoires Russ made will never be for-gotten and he will be missed.
Russ is survived by his three sons: Kenneth, Brian and Charles Splain; two sisters, Patricia (Steve) Holper and Shirley (Les) McComb; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Ruby Splain, his step-father, Joseph Bateman; two sisters, Barbara (Cecil) Ostrom and Nancy (John) Lawhorn; and his brother Robert (Suzanne) Splain.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 26, 2019, from 5-7 p.m. with a funeral service to celebrate his life to follow at 7 p.m. Private family burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Russ’ name. Checks may be made to the ” Russell Splain Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes may be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 26, 2019, from 5-7 p.m. with a funeral service to celebrate his life to follow at 7 p.m.

Private family burial will take place at a later date.