Donald Russell, Sr.

Donald Lee Russell, Sr., 81, of Michael Road, Barton died Sunday, April 14, 2019 at home. Born on September 12, 1937 in Pekin, MD he was the son of the late Lee Russell and Elizabeth Mae (Beaman) Russell.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Thelma Jean Russell on January 28, 2006 and a son Gary Dwayne Russell on May 6, 1993. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Donald retired from Westvaco as a clamp truck operator after many years of service. A class of 1955 graduate of Valley High School, he also attended Frostburg State College. He was a member of Harmony Baptist Church, Westernport.  He raised Polled Hereford Cattle and Morgan and Haflinger Horses. He enjoyed wagon training during the summers. He was a member of the Garrett County Horsemen’s Association and the Appalachian Wagon Train Association.

He is survived by his wife Doris Keefer; two children Donald Russell, Jr. of Barton and Melissa Martz and husband Paul of Woodland; four grandchildren Jamie and Shane Russell and Noah and Aaron Martz; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from 6-9 PM at Harmony Baptist Church at 24211 Westernport Road, Westernport, MD. A funeral service will be held at the church on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Nate Nickerson officiating.  Family and friends will be received one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Moscow Mills, MD.  Wilhelm-Eakin Funeral Home, P.A., Lonaconing is handling the arrangements.

The family would like to thank his caregivers Jessica and Matilda Wilhelm, Becky McKenzie at WEPCO , Jeff Howsare and Mike Robertson.