Russell Leroy Birkner

 

Russell Leroy Birkner, died March 4, 2005 at Fair Acres Nursing Home,
DuQuoin, IL.  He was 86 years of age.  

 

Russell was born in October of 1918, the son of Edward and Charlotte (Loos)
Birkner.  He married Anna Smith, formerly of DuQuoin, in 1972 and she
survives.  He graduated from Pinckneyville Community High School in 1936.  

 

He was a State Trooper for 30 years, a WWII Air Force Veteran, a member of
Holt's Prairie Baptist Church, a lifetime member of the Elks, a member of
the DuQuoin American Legion for over 50 years, a member of the Lions Club
for 23 years, served on the Building Committee for the Perry County Jail and
a plaque hangs on the wall with his name on it, and was very involved in the
development, Charlotte Hills Subdivision, Pinckneyville.

 

Survivors include his wife: Anna, two daughters: Vickie Clark and husband
Larry of DuQuoin, and Marla Mezel of Coulterville, four grandchildren: David
Mezel of Coulterville, Brian Mezel of Percy, Jeremy Clark and wife Jennifer
of Pinckneyville, and Leanna Clark Boyd and husband Kevin of Norman, OK,
two great-grandchildren: Shane Allen Boyd of Norman, OK and Jacob Shane
Clark of Pinckneyville, four brothers: Harry Birkner and wife Marilyn of
Colorado, Carl Birkner of Springfield, IL, Clarence Birkner of St. Louis,
and Orville Birkner and wife Ruth of Iowa, two sisters: Verna Mae Boucher of
Springfield, IL, and Opal Long of St. Louis, and one sister-in-law: Belva
Birkner of Pinckneyville.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Clyde and Richard
Birkner and two sister: Wilma and Ina.

 

Funeral Services will be at Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home, Pinckneyville on
Monday, March 7, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. with Brother Collin Hirsch and Brother
Rob Mathis officiating.  Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park, DuQuoin.
Military services will be provided by Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post
#2504.

 

Friends may call at Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home, Pinckneyville on Sunday
from 5:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. and again on Monday from 8:00 a.m. until the
time of services.

 

Memorials may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association or American
Cancer Society. 
