Russell Law

Russell S. Law, 93, of Urbana died on April 16, 2018.  Russell is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mildred (née Branson) and his six children, Bonita Daly, Loretta (Ron) Peterson, Roxana Seten, Pamela (Tom) VanHousen, Melissa (Ralph) Kaufmann, and Raymond (Lynn) Law.  Russell had seven grandchildren, Meada (Juan) Cano, Tim (Masumi) Williams, Ryan (Jen) Daly, Megan (Josh) Beck, Emily Phillips, Elizabeth (Tim Yocum) Peterson, and Ronnie (Elyse) Peterson.  Russell also had nine great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Cecilia Cano, Maya and Carter Daly, Dustin Holoch, Lucas Chittick, Abi and Quinton Phillips, and Russell Peterson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Winnie (née Sayre) Law and his siblings, Marguerite Law, Wilma Douglas, and Lenore Kramer.

Russell was born in Champaign on October 31, 1924.  He graduated from Champaign High School in 1942.  He joined the U.S. Army in 1943, and served in the 3rd Division during World War II.  He was wounded at Anzio in Italy in 1944 and was subsequently awarded a Purple Heart.  After returning home, Russell eloped with his high school sweetheart, Mildred Branson, on September 14, 1946.  He received his B.S. in Commerce from the University of Illinois in 1948.  Russell worked for Woodner at the Chanute Air Force Base, Parro Construction, and Urban Sand & Gravel in Mahomet before retiring in 1994.  Russell enjoyed spending time with his family and chronicled his family’s activities in a weekly “Law Review” email for more than 18 years. Russell also took great pleasure in caring for his property off of Ford Harris Road for over 55 years, and could be seen out on his tractor into his late 80s.

A visitation will be held at the Owens Funeral Home in Champaign on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 10:00 AM, followed by a service at 11:00 AM.  An interment will follow. Remembrances may be made in the form desired by friends.

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