Charles Russell

Charles J. Russell, 77 years, of Monroe, Michigan passed away on Monday January 3, 2011 at 6:45 a.m. at Magnum Health Care Facility. He had been courageously fighting cancer for three years and seriously ill since Wednesday December 29, 2010. He was born in Speedwell, TN on May 26, 1933 the only son of Frank and Louise (McHone) Russell. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1951 and attended the University of Toledo. He was in the United States Army from 1956 – 1958 stationed in Fort Story, VA. He was employed by the Social Services Department prior to his employment with Monroe Bank & Trust in 1966. In 1967 he was promoted to Branch Manager at the Winchester Branch and to assistant auditor and security officer in 1982 at the main office until his retirement in 1996. During this time he also was employed by Roberts Security and a member of the Monroe Auxiliary Police Reserves. He accepted the Lord at an early age and joined Monroe Missionary Baptist Church in 1957 and was active in the church. He taught Sunday School for 17 years. He attended First Baptist Church in recent years. He played lead guitar for the Sounds of Gospel since 1999. They sang at many local churches and he especially enjoyed entertaining and playing at the senior citizen complexes. He was a devoted fan of the Lewis family from Lincolnton, GA. Chuck enjoyed his guns and gardening and listening to southern gospel music. He enjoyed working with leather and made many beautiful guitar straps and belts that he gave away to his friends. On May 13, 1961, in Monroe, MI, Chuck married his beloved wife the former Shirley Loop. This union did not have children, but took great pride in raising Charlene (Graves) Helton who lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, Dan Helton, Sr. Charles was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Louise (McHone) Russell. He is survived by wife, Shirley A. Russell, brother in laws Rev. Von L. (Charlene) Loop, Dariel B. (Lorene) Loop of Monroe, MI, Nieces, Vonda (Mike) Ternes, of Centerville, OH, Lori (Craig) Kostoff of Canton, MI, Tammy S. (Jody) McCollum of Ottawa Lake, MI, 2 great nieces, 1 great nephew and numerous cousins. He will be remembered as a man of faith, wisdom and quiet strength who faced his death with honesty and humor. Friends may call from 1:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd in Monroe, MI where the funeral service will be held celebrating Chuck’s life at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2011. Rev. Von Loop and Rev. Ken Dunn will officiate. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park where the VFW Post 1138 will conduct military honors. The family requests memorials may be given in his name to Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe, MI.