John "Mac" M. Russell

And the stories end…but our memories will last forever~Our loving father, grandfather, great grandfather John Malcom Russell, 87, of Orwell Hill, Pa passed away with his family at his side on Thursday morning, May 21, 2009 following a brief period of declining health. A life long resident of Orwell and affectionately known as "Mac" by his family and friends, he was born on March 27, 1922 a son of the late Harold W. and Beatrice Sibley (Stoll) Russell. Mac graduated school in Orwell in 1940. On May 19, 1940 he married his high school sweetheart, Verna Cragle, who predeceased him on April 7, 2009 after nearly 69 years of marriage. Mac was a lifelong farmer and maple sugar-maker. For many years, he traveled around doing custom harvesting and selling sugar supplies. Along the way Mac shared many stories and he will be remembered as a story teller extraordinaire. Mac was the heart and soul of Camp Miss'um. He loved deer hunting, enjoyed hunting trips and the annual Supper Hunt. Mac dearly loved his wife Verna, who introduced him to hunting. John is survived by his children: daughter and son-in-law: Loretta Ann and Donald Ammerman of Orange Hill; his daughter: Linda Lee Russell of Orwell; his sons and daughters-in-law: John Blaine "JB" and Judy Russell of Orwell; Dewey Mack and Carolyn Russell of Rome Township; a brother-in-law Robert and his wife Iola Cragle of Rome; sisters - in-law: Grace and her husband Bob Kunkle of Brooksville, FL; Flora Russell of Orwell, Pa; his grandchildren: Lisa (Chip) Tobbe, Kenneth Ammerman, Judy Ammerman, Teah Allen, Maria Fuller, Brandy Russell, Cory (Stacey) Russell, Aaron Russell and Sabrina Russell; step grandchildren: Shelley (Rodney) Ford, Brenda (Matthew) Walters, Trevor (Alexandra) Briggs and Wendy (Robert) Base; seven great grandchildren, eight step great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter, one step great great granddaughter; many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families also survive. In addition to Verna, Mac was predeceased by his mother Beatrice in 1986, his father Harold in 1995; a sister Georgy Russell in 2004, a brother Carlyle "Bub" Russell in 2007. Funeral services and a celebration of a life well lived for Mac will be held on Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 1:30 pm at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols with Pastor Richard Vieldhouse, officiating. Interment will follow in the Darling Cemetery. A period of visitation and time of sharing memories will be held on Sunday from 11:30 to the time of the service at 1:30 pm. Memories and condolences for Mac's family may be shared by visiting our website at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com Friends who wish may kindly consider a memorial contribution to Memorial Hospital Hospice, 1 Hospital Drive, Towanda, Pa 18848 for their kindness and caring compassion given to our Mom and Dad.