RALPH RUSSELL

Ralph T. Russell, 99, of Elburn, IL, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior, in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 14, 2022, while being cared for by his loved ones at home.

Ralph was born February 23, 1923, in Federalsburg, MD, to loving parents, Amos and Viora Russell. He grew up on a family farm, and at the age of 13, he entered the state-wide Future Farmers tomato growing contest. He was awarded a silver medal for second place by producing 353 plus bushels of tomatoes from one acre for a yield of more than 9 tons to the acre.

Following graduation from Hurlock High School, Class of 1939, Ralph found work as a machinist apprentice at Dupont, the world’s first nylon factory. When war broke out, Ralph answered the call of his country when he enlisted in the United States Navy on January 12, 1943. He drove 50 miles to the nearest recruiting office and was immediately sent to bootcamp in Florida. Before departing, he called his parents to tell them they needed to retrieve the family car at the recruiting office. After bootcamp, he attended 21 weeks of Aviation Machinist Mates’ School and graduated first in his class. One thing he worked on was the building of a remote-control airplane. The plywood drones, manufactured in DeKalb, IL, were designed to fly in front of the bomber enroute to Japan, but the plan was scrapped with the advancement of the atomic bomb.

After his honorable discharge as a first-class petty officer on May 30, 1946, Ralph returned to civilian life in Maryland. In January 1947, he enrolled at Parks Air College in East St. Louis, IL, graduating in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance Engineering.

For a period of time he worked for Northwest Airlines as an airplane mechanic. In the fall of 1951, he was hired as a flight engineer for Trans World Airlines (TWA).

While based in Chicago for TWA, Ralph met the love of his life, Helen Gardner, at a local church. There was no lack of attention for Ralph, but only one caught his eye, and later his heart. They were united in marriage on March 25, 1955. They began their new life in Chicago, welcoming four daughters, before moving to Elburn in 1964. The family grew by three with the addition of one son and two more daughters before the family was complete.

 Ralph bought his first farm in 1964, added acreage along the way, and eventually purchased equipment to till the land on his off hours from flying. He retired from TWA after 37 years of service and concentrated on his farming career. In 1996, while vacationing in Florida, Ralph and Helen purchased the first of several orange groves, which had been a dream of his for many years. Over the next 18 years, they learned the citrus business and worked side by side in this new venture. Near the age of 90, Ralph planted close to 1,000 new trees.

The strong Christian roots of the Russell family were instilled in Ralph early in life. Ralph professed his trust in his Savior Jesus Christ at an early age and lived his life faithfully to his dying day. Without any particularly dominating hobby, he spent many hours tending God’s creation, whether it be vegetable farming as an adolescent, midwestern corn and soybeans in his prime adult years, or orange groves as a semi-retired snowbird. Remarkably, he kept to his principles of not working in those fields on Sundays, another example of his commitment to his God and faith. Often you would find him using his many handyman skills to support other projects for his church, his family, and his friends. And if you were fortunate to receive his physical help, undoubtedly, he would impart much of his wisdom he experienced in the incredibly changing era which his life spanned. Rumor has it that he was not very interested in having a large family. But God richly blessed him and his bride Helen with seven children in which he imparted his strong faith which now transcends multiple generations.

He leaves his loving wife of 67 years, Helen Russell; seven children: Wanda Enoch, Linda (Jim) Herr, Gayle (Tomas) Sandoval, Gwen (Rick) Bunnetto, Craig (Heather) Russell, Nancy (Matt) Watkins, and Diane (Greg) Felty; 30 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a countryside of friends.

He is now reunited with his parents, Amos and Viora Russell; one brother, Welton (Beatrice) Russell; a sister, Isabel (Robert) Todd, and two grandsons, who preceded him in death. Private family arrangements have been made.

 In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Checks may be made out to the “National Christian Foundation”. The memo section MUST include: “Fund #4202514 The Russell Family Harvest Fund”, and mailed to NCF, Attn: Contributions, 11625 Rainwater Dr., Ste. 500, Alpharetta, GA 30009. Memories and tributes may be shared on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Private family arrangements have been made.