Eldridge "Ed" Russell

ELDRIDGE "ED" RUSSELL IDAHO FALLS, ID - Eldridge C. "Ed" Russell, 79, of Dubois, Idaho died January 18, 2005, at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He was born November 12, 1925, in Shelley, Idaho, to John Wesley Russell and Ruth Covert Russell. He grew up in Leslie, Osgood and Shelley, attending schools in Shelley. He served as a First-Class Seaman in the U.S. Navy during World War II, spending much of his time in the Marshall Islands as a gunner aboard destroyer escorts. He was aboard the U.S.S. Indianapolis when it escorted President Roosevelt from Hawaii to the Aleutian Islands to survey the damage of the war. He married Betty Winder February 27, 1945 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He worked in farming as a foreman in the Roberts and Idaho Falls area. He later moved to Medicine Lodge and then Dubois where he worked as Superintendent and a heavy equipment operator for the Clark County Road and Bridge Department. He and his wife owned and operated the Long Branch Store in Medicine Lodge for many years. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was also a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was recently honored as the 2004 Clark County Grand Marshall. In 2002, the Clark County Fair Board recognized him and his wife for their Community Support and Service. He enjoyed working with and helping people; his hobbies were gardening, hunting, fishing and tinkering. Surviving are: Wife: Betty Russell Son: Kenneth (Kristine) Russell, Idaho Falls, ID Son: Darrell (Vicki) Russell, Idaho Falls, ID Brother: Ivol (Joyce) Russell, Idaho Falls Sister: Doris (Bob) Wise, Idaho Falls, ID Sister: Joyce (Kay) Lee, Moses Lake, WA Sister: Doreen (Duane) Wolf, Idaho Falls, ID 5 Grandchildren, 5 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Jake, Pete and Kenneth, and 2 sisters, Ella and Melvina. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 22, 2005, at the Dubois LDS Church, with Randy Grover officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and for one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church. Military Rites will be performed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Mud Lake, Idaho, Post 8893. Burial will be in Dubois Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home East Side.