Russell, Bernard Estol

Bernard Estol Russell, 94, of Heritage Acres Care Center, died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center after a long illness. Services: 2 p.m. Friday at St. Jude Catholic Church by the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery. A vigil service will be held Thursday at 4 p.m., followed by a rosary led by Knights of Columbus, at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit with the family Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m., and Friday after 1 p.m. at the church.

Bernard is survived by his wife, Claire; eight children, Lynne (Jim) Conlin of Cascade, Susan (Wayne) Gaskill of Cedar Rapids, Tom Russell of Dallas, Texas, Ron (Doris) Russell of Cedar Rapids, Jane (Dennis) Sweaney of Athens, Ga., and Jill (Gary) Caldwell, Jon (Vicki) Russell and Mark (Kelly) Russell, all of Cedar Rapids; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Bob (Pat) Taylor of Topeka, Kan., and Jim Taylor of Story City; and many nieces and nephews.

His brother, Harold Minor, brother-in-law, William Taylor, and sister-in-law, Marge Taylor, preceded Bernard in death.

Bernard was born March 22, 1918, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Estol and Edna Miller Russell. He married Claire Mae Taylor on June 9, 1941, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. He retired after 44 years with the Rock Island Railroad, where he was a communication manager. He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council 909.

Bernard enjoyed spending time with his family and playing golf and cards with his friends. He also enjoyed the special time he spent following his retirement as he and the love of his life, Claire, visited 48 states together.

Instead of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to St. Jude Catholic Church or the East Central Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com

Published Oct. 4, 2012 in The Gazette