Robert "Bob" Melvin Russell

Robert M. Russell, 94, of Mill Shoals, died at 2:10am on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Wabash Senior Living in Carmi, IL. 

Bob was born on December 1, 1929, in Evansville, IN, to Bernice M. and Daisy (Meritt) Russell. He had a special companion, Mary Vaupel, for over 25 years. 

Bob was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp. He was also an area manager for Wodeco and Ashland Oil Company of Nigeria, doing offshore drilling work.The one thing that Bob loved to do was ballroom dancing. He was taught by Arthur Murray and then, later, worked with him in California, teaching others to dance. He and Mary loved to dance not only in Illinois, but, also in Florida, where they spent six months out of the year. In April of 2022, Bob was privileged to take an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., for which he enjoyed very much. 

Survivors include his son Robert Russell, Jr. of Fort Pierce, FL, two grandchildren, and his sister Margaret Boucherie of Mill Shoals, along with several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Mary’s sons Gary (Barb) Vaupel, Steve Vaupel, and Kelley (Tonya) Vaupel, her daughter Debbie (Bill) South, and several of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his companion Mary Vaupel, his son Steve Russell, and a brother Donnie Russell. 

Funeral services for Bob Russell will be at 12pm on Tuesday, June 4th at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, with burial in Shrewsbury Cemetery in Mill Shoals. Military rites will be provided by the Anthony Wayne Post #176 American Legion and the Wayne County Post #4535 VFW. Visitation will be from 10am until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to the Mill Shoals Baptist Church and will be accepted at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

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