Russell J. Egolf: 1929 – 2008
Saturday, December 13th, 2008
Russell J. Egolf, 79, widely acquainted Noble County dairy farmer and community leader and a resident of rural Churubusco, died at 1:40 a. m. on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at the family residence in Green Township after a brief illness.
Mr. Egolf was born on September 29, 1929 on the Egolf Family Homestead in Thorncreek Township in Whitley County, a son of Dewey and Eva (Winebrenner) Egolf. He moved as a child with his parents to Merriam and spent all of his formative years in Noble Township, graduating from Wolf Lake High School in 1947.
On October 1, 1950 he was married in Churubusco to Martha Ann Nestel. He lived all of his married life on the family farm northwest of Churubusco, and was a dairy farmer all of his working years. For the past 15 years the couple wintered in Apache Junction, Arizona.
In addition to his agricultural endeavors, his life was marked by community service and memberships in several organizations. He was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, where he had served in a variety of administrative capacities, including a trustee of the church. He served for eight years on the board of trustees of the Smith-Green Community School Corporation in Churubusco, was involved in the American Dairy Association, and had also been a member of the Boots ‘n Bonnets Square Dance Club for many years. He was an avid sports enthusiast, having played baseball and basketball for several years.
He is survived by his wife Martha, to whom he was married for over 58 years; his children Jann (David T.) Johnson, Mel (Susan) Egolf, and Ned (Cathy) Egolf, all of Churubusco, and Brian (Judy) Egolf of Albion; a brother J. D. Egolf of Albion; a sister Faith Richards of Gainsville, Fla; two sisters-in-law Connie Nestel Teghtmeyer of Fort Wayne and Janet Nestel of Orlando, Fla; ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Sylvelda (Harold O.) McCoy.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a. m. Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at the Churubusco United Methodist Church with Rev. Corinne K. Boruff, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Tuesday from 2 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service Wednesday morning.
Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.
The family requests memorials be directed to the Churubusco United Methodist Church Food Pantry, or to Parkview Home Health & Hospice.
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Robert F. McDowell, 80, a resident of rural Avilla, died at 10 p. m. on Thursday, December 11, 2008, at the family residence in Green Township following an extended illness.