Orville Vernon Russell

Orville Vernon Russell, age 91, of Sac City, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2003, at Park View Care Center in Sac City.

Orville was born June 15, 1912, in Sac County, the son of Roy and Mattie (Wells) Russell. He was baptized in 1925, at the First Christian Church where he was a life-long member. He lived in Sac County his entire life, graduating from Sac City High School in 1930.

On May 30, 1934, Orville and Julia Peyton were united in marriage in the bride’s parents’ home in Sac City. They had four children: Sherrill, Scott, Karen and Kirk. Orville served with the U.S. Army, 1972nd SCU Medical Section during World War II in 1945.

Orville owned and operated Russell Oil Co., retiring in 1982. He played his first game of golf on his 65th birthday and last game July 31, 2003, at the age of 91. He scored 40 at age 90. Acting as “assistant manager” to Joyce at the Sac Country Club, he bragged about her doubling his salary of zero every year. He never met a stranger, loved people and places. He served in many church and community activities.

Survivors include his wife Julia; his four children: Sherrill Stedman; Scott L. (Linda) Russell all of Sac City, IA; Karen (Ken) Ossian of Bettendorf, IA; and Kirk (Debbie) Russell of Fort Dodge, IA; 9 grandchildren: Dave (Lorrie) Stedman, Dennis (Ann) Stedman, Don Stedman, Jon (Angie) Russell, Shannon (Bruce) Mazza, Mike (Heather) Ossian, Derek (Eve) Ossian, Scott P. Russell, and Matt Russell; 9 great-grandchildren; his brother Lucian (Doris) Russell of Sac City, IA; extended family; and many friends.

Orville was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers: Earl, Ivy, Othel, and Norman; 3 sisters: Luella Meyer, Dortha Wagner, and Irene Russell.

Funeral services for Orville V. Russell were Saturday, October 11, 2003, at 11:00 a.m., at the First Christian Church, in Sac City, Iowa. Reverend Sharla Hulsey officiated, Lorrie Stedman, soloist, and Sue Peyton, organist. Honorary pallbearers included: Scott P. Russell and pallbearers included: Dave Stedman, Jon Russell, Dennis Stedman, Shannon Mazza, Don Stedman, Mike Ossian, Matt Russell, and Derek Ossian, with burial at Oakland Cemetery, Sac City, Iowa.