Elbert John Russell

Elbert John Russell, 75, family man, jokester, lover of classic cars, and slot machine enthusiast, passed away peacefully on Dec. 29, 2020. 

He was born on Nov. 24, 1945, in Wolf Lake, to Roy M. and Erma (Archer) Russell. He was united in marriage to Janice Stockberger on June 17, 1972, in Pierceton.

He enjoyed spending his free time and retirement years vacationing, dining out with family and friends, going to his children and grandchildren’s events, hanging out at car shows, and contributing to the local casinos.

He spent most of his working years doing construction and 21 years as a maintenance technician for Medtronic.

He will be fondly remembered for antagonizing his adoring wife of 48 years, Janice Russell, by answering the telephone with “your nickel” and for being “the mayor of the hood.” He proudly served his country as a U.S. Navy Veteran.

He will be dearly missed by his surviving family, including his wife: Jan Russell (Stockberger), Warsaw; children: Keith (Brenda) Russell, Syracuse; Sean (Deanna) Creviston, Goshen; Stacey (Darrin) Lohse, Warsaw; and Scott (Teirra) Russell, Leesburg; and a sister: Patty Lu Humke, Carlsbad, N.M. In addition, he is survived by grandchildren: Ian Hartman, Fort Wayne; Matt Russell, Warsaw; Brittany (Brandin) Sorg, Fort Wayne; Devin Russell, Detroit, Mich.; Annamarie Russell, Columbia City; Crissy (Brandon) Holmes, Fort Wayne; Jazmyne Creviston, Goshen; Michael Lohse, Warsaw; Nicholas Lohse, Warsaw; McKibben Lohse, Warsaw; and Brady Russell, Leesburg; and two great-grandchildren: Zander Sorg and Addisyn Holmes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Roy Robert Russell; and brother-in-law: Richard Humke.

A visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. His funeral service will follow immediately at 1 p.m. at the funeral chapel with Chaplain Jerry Hartman officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton. Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion.

Due to current COVID-19 recommendations, masks are required. The public is kindly requested to provide their own. Social distancing is strongly encouraged. No food is permitted at this time.

The family asks in lieu of donations that you buy a few lottery tickets in Elbo’s memory and split your winnings with your family. That’s what he would have wanted.

To sign the guestbook or send a condolence go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com