Russell Ray Black, 78, of Villa Grove passed away surrounded by family and friends in Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana on Saturday (May 16, 2015).
Russ was born June 2, 1936, in Lawrenceville to Henry and Ethel (Fisher) Black. He was preceded in death by both parents; brothers, Richard Black and Jerry Black and sister, Betty Jeffers.
He is survived by his children, Stephanie (Kirk) Black, Russell Black Jr., Chad (Arlinda) Black, Toni Shrum, Traci Black-Miles and Tina (Les) Black-Jones; special friend and fiancee, Doris Black; brother, Tom (Margaret) Black; sisters, Sandy Bowlin and Mary McKenzie and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Russ served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He retired at the rank of TSGT after 20 years of service. He then joined the Union Pacific Railroad and remained there as a conductor until his retirement in 1998.
After retiring, he refused to sit still and missed many of his friends so he started driving for Renzenberger Inc. and later for PTI transporting railroaders until his extended illness ended his ability to work.
Russ was a proud member of the UTU, VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Villa Grove First Christian Church and the Masonic Lodge where he was a 32nd degree Mason and a past master.
He was an integral part of Operation Lifesaver and Ag Days from their beginning. He proudly served as an alderman for the city of Villa Grove for several years.
Published in the Champaign, Illinois News-Gazette. May 19, 2015
Russ was born June 2, 1936, in Lawrenceville to Henry and Ethel (Fisher) Black. He was preceded in death by both parents; brothers, Richard Black and Jerry Black and sister, Betty Jeffers.
He is survived by his children, Stephanie (Kirk) Black, Russell Black Jr., Chad (Arlinda) Black, Toni Shrum, Traci Black-Miles and Tina (Les) Black-Jones; special friend and fiancee, Doris Black; brother, Tom (Margaret) Black; sisters, Sandy Bowlin and Mary McKenzie and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Russ served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He retired at the rank of TSGT after 20 years of service. He then joined the Union Pacific Railroad and remained there as a conductor until his retirement in 1998.
After retiring, he refused to sit still and missed many of his friends so he started driving for Renzenberger Inc. and later for PTI transporting railroaders until his extended illness ended his ability to work.
Russ was a proud member of the UTU, VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Villa Grove First Christian Church and the Masonic Lodge where he was a 32nd degree Mason and a past master.
He was an integral part of Operation Lifesaver and Ag Days from their beginning. He proudly served as an alderman for the city of Villa Grove for several years.
Published in the Champaign, Illinois News-Gazette. May 19, 2015
Russell Ray Black, 78, of Villa Grove passed away surrounded by family and friends in Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana on Saturday (May 16, 2015).
Russ was born June 2, 1936, in Lawrenceville to Henry and Ethel (Fisher) Black. He was preceded in death by both parents; brothers, Richard Black and Jerry Black and sister, Betty Jeffers.
He is survived by his children, Stephanie (Kirk) Black, Russell Black Jr., Chad (Arlinda) Black, Toni Shrum, Traci Black-Miles and Tina (Les) Black-Jones; special friend and fiancee, Doris Black; brother, Tom (Margaret) Black; sisters, Sandy Bowlin and Mary McKenzie and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Russ served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He retired at the rank of TSGT after 20 years of service. He then joined the Union Pacific Railroad and remained there as a conductor until his retirement in 1998.
After retiring, he refused to sit still and missed many of his friends so he started driving for Renzenberger Inc. and later for PTI transporting railroaders until his extended illness ended his ability to work.
Russ was a proud member of the UTU, VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Villa Grove First Christian Church and the Masonic Lodge where he was a 32nd degree Mason and a past master.
He was an integral part of Operation Lifesaver and Ag Days from their beginning. He proudly served as an alderman for the city of Villa Grove for several years.
Published in the Champaign, Illinois News-Gazette. May 19, 2015
Russ was born June 2, 1936, in Lawrenceville to Henry and Ethel (Fisher) Black. He was preceded in death by both parents; brothers, Richard Black and Jerry Black and sister, Betty Jeffers.
He is survived by his children, Stephanie (Kirk) Black, Russell Black Jr., Chad (Arlinda) Black, Toni Shrum, Traci Black-Miles and Tina (Les) Black-Jones; special friend and fiancee, Doris Black; brother, Tom (Margaret) Black; sisters, Sandy Bowlin and Mary McKenzie and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Russ served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He retired at the rank of TSGT after 20 years of service. He then joined the Union Pacific Railroad and remained there as a conductor until his retirement in 1998.
After retiring, he refused to sit still and missed many of his friends so he started driving for Renzenberger Inc. and later for PTI transporting railroaders until his extended illness ended his ability to work.
Russ was a proud member of the UTU, VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Villa Grove First Christian Church and the Masonic Lodge where he was a 32nd degree Mason and a past master.
He was an integral part of Operation Lifesaver and Ag Days from their beginning. He proudly served as an alderman for the city of Villa Grove for several years.
Published in the Champaign, Illinois News-Gazette. May 19, 2015
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