Saunders, Russell

Russell Saunders, 91, of Marion, formerly of Hopkinton, died Monday evening, Dec. 7, 2009, at Northbrook Manor Care Center, Cedar Rapids, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at First United Church of Hopkinton, with interment in Hopkinton Cemetery, with military honors. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday at Goettsch Funeral Home, Hopkinton.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com

Surviving are his wife, Helen; three sons, Russell (Jenny) of Westminster, Colo., Tom (Nellie) of Cedar Rapids and Robert (Connie) of Rochester, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Jon, Kate, Jennifer, Jason, Andy and Abbie, Dave and Misty; and six great-grandchildren, Blake, Kaycee, Isabelle, Jacob, Mitch and Jaciana.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Junior, Cliff and Thomas.

Russell Eugene Saunders was born July 26, 1918, in Hopkinton, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth DeWald Saunders. Russell received his education in the Hopkinton schools and then attended Lenox College for two years. Russell then went on to serve in the United States Army during World War II. He served in the European, Africa and Middle Eastern Campaign. Russell Saunders and Helen Newlin were married July 20, 1945, at the Viola Methodist Church. The couple made their home in Hopkinton. Russell worked at Collins Radio for 19 years and then for the United States Post Office in Hopkinton. He had a rural mail route in the Hopkinton and Delhi area. Russell retired in 1983 and he and Helen moved to Village Place in Marion in 2004. Russell was a member of First United Church of Hopkinton and Hopkinton American Legion, had served as a volunteer fireman and had served on the City Council.