Earl Russell Jr.

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. -- Earl Francis Russell Jr., 69, of Villa Ridge, formerly of Cairo, Ill., passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis.

He was born March 16, 1942, in Mound City, Ill., son of Earl Francis and Lorene Wyatt Russell Sr.

Earl was a retired Vietnam Army veteran. He spent many years stationed in Germany.

He also retired as a Walgreens warehouse employee. He was a member of American Legion Post 178 of Villa Ridge and a member of Cairo VFW Post 2649.

Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy Russell Minor of Sarasota, Fla., Susan (Chris) Schuetz of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; a sister, Sherry Windings of Villa Ridge; two brothers, James Russell of Harrisburg, Ill., Bradley (Lori) Russell of Paris, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Michael, Robert and Austin Minor, Morgan and Hunter; a great-grandson, Kenshin Minor; the mother of his children, Hannelore Russell; his girlfriend, Carolyn DuBois of Mount Vernon, Ill.; several nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to service time Wednesday at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Windings officiating. Interment will be in Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, with full military honors by Illinois National Guard Burial Team and area veterans.