Russell McKelvey's Obituary
Russell Aubrey McKelvey, son of Frank and Fannie Cook McKelvey, was born March 24, 1928, near Prosperine, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, February 25, 2006, in Cox Medical Center South, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of seventy-seven years, eleven months, and one day. On January 4, 1969, he was united in marriage to Ida Ann Perry, and together they shared the last thirty-seven years. He was preceded in death by his parents; three daughters, Brenda, Linda, and Bonnie; a son, Jackie; a son-in-law, Billy Appleberry; a brother, Henry; and three sisters, Bonnie, Mary, and Cletta. Russell is survived by his wife, Ida, of the home; seven daughters, Alma Allen, and her husband, Jerry, of Strafford, Missouri, Ima Lillard, and her husband, Stanley, of Nixa, Missouri, Glenda McBride, and her husband, Ernie, of Conway, Missouri, Rebecca Holiman, and her husband, Phil, of Buffalo, Missouri, Donna Appleberry, Cindy Williams, and Vicki Supernaw, and her husband, Robert, all of Kansas City, Missouri; five sons, Roy Rogers, and his wife, Beverly, Ricky Rogers, and his wife, Barbara, and Joseph Rogers, and Libby, all of Kansas City, Missouri, Billy Rogers, and Russell McKelvey, Jr., both of Springfield, Missouri; thirty grandchildren; forty-six great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; two sisters, Violet Zachmeyer, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Jewel Thunderburg, of the State of Michigan; a special friend who was like a daughter to him, Jacqueline Appleberry; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in the Prosperine community, and continued to spend his childhood there following the passing of his parents. He then served his country faithfully in the United States Army during World War II. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to the Lebanon area. After he and Ida were married, they made their home in Kansas City, Missouri for thirty-five years, while Russell worked for an office furniture manufacturing company. For the last three years, he and Ida had made their home in Springfield. Russell had made his profession of faith in Christ and attended the Assembly of God Church in Springfield. He belonged to the American Legion in Kansas City for many years. He also sold fruit in Kansas City and then later in Marshfield, Missouri. He enjoyed being outdoors where his favorite activities were fishing and hunting. He and Ida also enjoying traveling with the family. He was devoted to his family and was a great father and grandfather. Russell was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2006, in the Holman-Howe Chapel, Lebanon. Burial will be in the Veterans' Park in Mount Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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