Franklin Theodore Russell

Franklin Theodore “Ted” Russell, 86, a well-known Emlenton resident and retired mail carrier, passed away Sunday afternoon, October 8, 2017 while surrounded by his loving family at Sunnyview Nursing Home in Butler.

Ted was born in Pioneer, Texas on June 6, 1931.  He was the son of the late Albert Roy and Josephine Witherup Russell.

In 1949 Theodore joined the National Guard and was called to active duty in the U.S. Army in 1950.  Shortly after, he transferred to the 11th Airborne Division at Ft. Benning, GA.  Later, he joined the 12th Ranger Company and served in the 187th Airborne Division in Korea.  Following four years of distinguished military service, he was honorably discharged and returned to Emlenton.

In his earlier years Te was employed at the Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation in Emlenton and later worked at the Emlenton Post Office as a clerk and retired following more than 30 years of service as a rural mail carrier.

Ted was a long time active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emlenton and served on church council.  He was also active in the Emlenton Fish Food Cupboard.

Te enjoyed restoring old trucks, and had worked on several restoration projects with his friend, the late Harold Burke.

Theodore is survived by his wife, Patricia Edinger Russell, whom he married on March 21, 1954.  Also surviving are two sons,  The Honorable Mayor Timothy A. Russell and his wife, Lori, of Emlenton and Daniel R. Russell and his wife, Jane, of Herndon, VA, and Dwight Hower, whom the Russells helped to raise, and his wife, Traci, of Castle Rock, CO; several grandchildren, Natalie Russell, Kelsie Kriebel and her husband, Eric,  David Russell and his wife, Jessica, Joseph Russell, Margaret Rankin and her husband, Chris; also surviving is Megan Hourican and her husband, Tom, and their son, George, and Amber Paranick, of whom Ted and Patty affectionately referred to as their “generic” grandchildren; his great grandchildren, James Franklin Kriebel, Henley and Cash Russell, and Russell Rankin; also surviving are Dwight and Traci Hower’s children, Brayden, Savannah, and Ryder; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barb and Dick Carr of Emlenton, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by a son, Roy Allen Russell and his siblings, Louise Kunselman, Roy Russell Jr., and Frances Carr, as well as a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.  Interment will be in the Emlenton Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Emlenton Fish Food Cupboard, PO Box 127, Emlenton.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Hile Funeral Home Inc., Emlenton.  For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com

 Service Information