Brent L. Russell

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Brent L. Russell of Galatia went home to be with the Lord on the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, at the age of 75 at St. Mary's Hospital, Evansville, Ind., surrounded by his devoted and loving family.

He was born in St. Louis, Mo., to Coyne A. and Beulah (Lewis) Russell on Aug. 23, 1933. At a young age, they moved to Southern Illinois, where Brent was a graduate of Galatia High School and was very active in sports. After graduation, he spent two years in the military serving in Korea. Upon his return, Brent was united in marriage to the love of his life, Donna (Eubanks) Russell on Sept. 12, 1956, in the home they have lived in for 53 wonderful years. From that union came Toby (Laura) Russell of Mount Vernon, Tim (Kim) Russell of Clinton, Ind. and Chris Russell of Taylor Mill, Ky. They also raised Jennifer (Eubanks) Wiggins, Donna's sister, as well. They were also blessed with five wonderful grandchildren and six very special great-grandchildren.

Brent was a Christian by faith and member of Galatia First Baptist Church, where he served in numerous positions, including being a deacon since 1973. This was one of the most important focuses of his life.

One of the things he enjoyed most was working with the boys in Khoury League and any form of baseball.

He retired from the railroad, where he worked almost 39 years. He loved his job and always served his employer to the best of his ability.

He is also survived by a brother, Coyne A. (Maxine) Russell of Portage, Ind.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John (Karen) Evers of Carmi; Paul and Jennifer Wiggins of Galatia and Jackie McNeil of Fairfield. Other survivors include numerous nieces, nephews and several cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Coyne and Beulah Russell; mother- and father-in-law, Jewel and Lois Eubanks; and daughter-in-law, Donise Russell.

His family will always remember his as "the best of the best." He was a devoted dad and husband that we loved dearly. We know where you are, but our days will have an unfillable void without you here.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, at the First Baptist Church of Galatia.

Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009, at the Sloan Funeral Home, Galatia.

Officiating will be the Rev. Leroy Hicks, the Rev. Arthur Foster and the Rev. Jared Mitchell.

Burial will be in Webber Campground Cemetery, Galatia.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund and to American Cancer Society.