Individual Details

Death

Roanoke- Russell Furr, 83, of Roanoke, IL passed away at 6:20 pm on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. He was born on May 8, 1928 in Shelbyville, IL a son of Charles Allen and Marjorie Catherine Reid Furr. He married Grace Lavonne Largent on May 26, 1950 in Shelbyville, IL. She survives. Also surviving is one daughter, Sandra (Reyd) Dotson of Golden, CO; one daughter-in-law, Pamela (Gary) Martin; four grandchildren, Annika Dotson, Jaime (David) Neill, Bryan Furr, Eric Furr, and one great-grandson, Brady Neill. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Allen, and one brother Clyde. An Air Force veteran, he served his country during the Korean War. He was a member of the Roanoke American Legion Post #464 and was active with the Woodford County ESDA. He attended High School in Tower Hill, IL and then graduated from Eastern Illinois Teacher's College. He later received his Master's Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Russell worked as a high school teacher and coach at the Findley School District for two years, then was hired by Roanoke Victory High School which became Roanoke-Benson Unit District #60 where he taught for the rest of his career before his retirement in 1987. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Russell was the kind of man who never knew a stranger. He was a member of the Roanoke United Methodist Church where funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012. Rev. Kenneth Sloan-Couch will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9-11 am at the church before the services. Cremation rites will be accorded. Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made to knappjohnsonharris.com