Obituary of Otis Russell

RUSSELL: Otis (Otie) Stanley – Otis' family wants you to know of his peaceful passing after a brief illness, Friday, February 18, at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. He is predeceased by two sisters, Evelyn, at an early age, and Hannah Colenutt, and by seven brothers- Bruce, Charles, Alex, Lawrence, John, Burton, and Norman; by much-loved son, Wayne, in 1971; by daughter-in-law Rosemary Russell and grandson Christopher Russell in 1981; by his beloved wife Ruby Guy in 1997; and by loving son-in-law Sam Scoyne, in 2010. Otis was born to Silas Russell and Mary Ellen McDowell Russell and raised on the thirteenth concession of Raleigh Township; he married Ruby Guy, also from the thirteenth concession, on his 27th birthday in 1936, and worked the homestead farm there until 1963. He also farmed in the Teeswater area before retiring in 1970 to Blenheim where he worked at several jobs. Otie's younger sister, Helen Ross, lives in Greenville, South Carolina. Otie will be missed by his loving family- sons Orville, (and Norma) and Mark (and Carolyne Heck) both of Fairview, Alberta, and five daughters- Carolyn Scoyne of Chatham, Sharron (and Bob Halle) of Port Stanley, Sheila (and Stephen Puz) of Kitchener, Marlene (and Don Paradine) of Milton, and Brenda Russell of Toronto. His passing is mourned also by numerous nieces and nephews, including his good friend Ruth Ann Oliver (brother Bruce's granddaughter). Grandpa Otie will be lovingly remembered by grandchildren: Graham Scoyne, Fraser Scoyne and Joanne, Maryan Russell and Brian Weenink, Peter Fleming and Jennifer, David Fleming and Lydia, Stephen Fleming and Xenia, Alyson Church and Bill Silva, Paul Paradine and Robyn, James Paradine and Karen, Justin Russell, Brent Russell, and Clayton Russell. Great-Grandpa Otie will be remembered by great grandchildren: Alex and Hunter Scoyne; Sharayah, Ryan, Natalie, and Avery Weenink; Stephanie, Tatiana, Jacob, James and Willem Fleming; Jadyn, Kyla, and Luke Silva; Tyler and Elyssa Paradine. In Oct 1996, Otis and Ruby moved to The Residence on The Thames. He said "this place is better than heaven! Sadly, Ruby passed away in March of 1997.Otis remained there for his next fourteen years,calling it "home". At first he took up playing pool-sometimes three times a week ,went on many excursions to Mitchell's Bay, Colisanti's -anything but shopping trips! Fellow residents admired his "sharp memory"and regular attendance at bingo and musical events often requesting his favourite song" SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES". He always knew when new residents arrived and looked forward to learning their histories! Thank you to all the residents and staff at the Residence for your friendship , love and care as he lived there without Ruby almost all that time. Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Martha Clendenning for her compassionate care for our parents through the years. Thank you to the staff of ER and those on the floor of A4 who cared for him in his last few days. His immediate family gathered Monday, February 21 to celebrate Otie's life and remember the heartwarming good wishes bestowed on him in November, 2009, when family, friends, and relatives gathered from far and wide to wish him well on his One Hundredth Birthday. These memories will always be a source of joy to us. Otis has been laid to rest, beside Ruby and son Wayne, in the Pardoville Cemetery Reverend Bill Terris of the Blenheim Baptist Church was a constant support for Otis in the past twenty years and conducted his funeral service from the McKinlay Funeral Home in Blenheim. Words of tribute and remembrance were given by several family members. During the service the musical selections included “Springtime In The Rockies”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “Amazing Grace”. Pallbearers were Graham Scoyne, Fraser Scoyne, Alyson Silva, Peter Fleming, David Fleming, and Stephen Fleming. Anyone wishing to do so may make a donation in Otie's name to the Blenheim Baptist Church or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com; Monday was ...truly our "Family Day".McKinlay Funeral Home, 141 Park Street,Blenheim, Ontario,519-676-3451.