Russell Longenecker, 91, of Troy
<p>Russell Wayne Longnecker</p>
World War II veteran Russell Longenecker, 91, passed away Aug. 31, 2014, at the Veteran’s Home in Lewiston, Idaho.
He was born March 2, 1923, in Findlay, Ohio, the second son, of Mildred (Fortune) and Harvey Longenecker. His older brother was Dwight.
In the early 1930s the family moved to Hamilton where Russell grew up and graduated from high school. Two sisters, Shirlie and Pat, were born in Hamilton.
The family moved in 1939 to Homestake, where they had a silver mine that both the boys worked alongside their dad. When the war broke out in 1941, Russ joined the Marine Corps, attained the rank of sergeant and served on Iwo Jima where he was awarded the Bronze Star.
After being discharged he met and married Doris Peil, and they located in North Bend, Wash., where their five children - Beverly Jean, Terrel Lee, Rebecca Jo, Steven Wayne and Kathleen - were born and raised. Russ worked for Weyerhaeuser as a faller with his brother Dwight and subsequent independent logging companies in Sedro Woolley, Wash., where the family lived for a few years.
Eventually, he returned to Butte where he lived until his wife passed away in 1986. In 1987 he moved to Troy to be closer to family. He lived in Troy for 12 years where he made many friends who appreciated him for his humor and teasing ways. He was a member of the VFW post where he was noted for his excellent pool playing skills.
In 2001 he moved to Clarkston where his son and family had relocated after their Troy years. He resided independently for several years before moving to the Veteran’s Home.
He was preceded in death by his wife; daughter Becky; great-grandson Tyler; parents; and siblings Dwight, Shirlie and Linda Jo.
He is survived by his children Beverly and Rich Barnes, Terry Jones; Becky’s children Bill, John and Tanya; Steve and Donna Longenecker and Katy Longenecker; as well as 13 nieces and nephews; his sister Pat McKiernan; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Services and celebration of life will be held in Troy in July 2015.