Russel A. Emling

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Russel A. Emling, age 90, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 at 2:15 a.m. in Pinckneyville Community Hospital, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Russel was born on July 28, 1919 in Du Quoin, Ill., a son to Arthur J. and Grace (Bird) Emling Stein. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during WW II. Russel married Lena Mae Gillis on June 28, 1938 in Jackson, Mo. and she preceded him in death on Nov. 2, 2002 after celebrating 64 years of marriage. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., and served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church, Du Quoin, Ill. for many years. He was employed by Du Quoin Packing Company as a salesman for 45 years. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed his grandchildren.

Russel is survived by one son: Clayton "Clay" (Martha) Emling of Pinckneyville, Ill., one daughter: Janet (Dieter) Schmidt of Show Low, Ariz., five grandchildren: Kelly (Patrick) Johnston of Algonquin, Ill., Terry L. (Carolyn) Eisenhauer of Mesa, Ariz., Elizabeth Emling Shanklin of Pinckneyville, Ill., Charles "Rusty" (Kathi) Emling of Burlington, Kans. and Richard (Theresa) Emling of Pinckneyville, Ill., 10 great-grandchildren: Sarah and Adam Johnston, Emily Shanklin, Terri and Traci Eisenhauer, Kala and Peyton Emling, Shelbi, Sydni, Sophi and Kedric Emling, one great-great-grandchild: Conner Demoulin, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one sister: Velma Emling Devor and one brother: Leo Emling.

Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. with Brother Tim Bauersachs officiating. Interment was in Sunset Memorial Park, Du Quoin, Ill.

Friends called at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and then at the church on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., Alzheimer's Association or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.