John E. Russell

John Edward Russell died August 13, 2024 in his residence at the age of 79. John was born November 5, 1944 in Fort Worth, Texas, to Dave and Mary Lou Russell. His family moved to Aurora, Illinois when he was approximately 4 years old. Those who knew him know he grew up on a horse racetrack where his major chore was to cut the grass that never seemed to stop growing. However, he truly enjoyed sharing the tales of the many horse-training excursions he and his family went on. He graduated high school and decided to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Navy where he became a Dental Technician. After four honorable years of service including two tours in Vietnam he returned home to Illinois where he met his future wife, Katherine Kucera. He and Kathy went on to have two daughters. John was an over grown kid at heart and looked at life as a time that should be filled with laughter. John was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and would tell you his family was his greatest achievement in life. John is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ralph Hendrickson and his loving wife Katherine. He is survived by his daughters, Kimberly (husband: Jeff Fulmer) and Samantha (husband: Donald Bergeron Jr); his four grandchildren, Dana (husband: Clint White), Zachary, Curtis, Trevor and great-grandchild August. Visitation Saturday, August 17, 9:30 am until time of Service,10:00 am at The Oaks Funeral Home, 1201 E Irving Park Road (at Prospect), Itasca. Interment Mount Emblem Cemetery. For funeral info: 630-250-8588 or oaksfh.com.