Russell B. Knouff Sr.

Russell B. Knouff Sr., 92, of Salem, Va., passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2009. He was born May 18, 1917, to Oliver and Lestelle Knouff in Ennis, W.Va. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger sister, Margaret; and his son, Samuel Oliver Knouff. His older brother, Oliver M. Knouff, passed away on the same date, an hour after Russell's death. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years and 10 months, Ruby Harris Knouff; daughters and son-in-law, Margaret and Harjett Bains, of Milan, Mich., and Janice Knouff, of Pittsburg, Pa.; son and daughter-in-law, Russell (R.B.) and Betty Knouff, of Blue Ridge, Va.; brother and sister-in-law, George and Mary Jo Knouff, of Blacksburg, Va.; sister, Dorothy Kessinger, of Durham, N.C.; eight grandchildren, Brian Bains, Serena Bains (Anish) Parikh, Angel Bains, Mike (Karen) Walker, Eric Walker, Philip Knouff, Ben Knouff and Abbey Knouff; a greatgrandson, Cody Walker; and numerous nieces and nephews. Russell retired in 1981, after 40 years service to the Norfolk and Western Railway (now Norfolk Southern Railway). He proudly served his country in the United States Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise as a First Class Seaman from 1938 to 1940. His family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the staff at the VA Medical Center, Building 2, 3rd. floor, for their extraordinary care and love for Russell during his stay these last 10 months. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at Oakey's North Chapel, Roanoke, Va. His son, Russell (R.B.) Knouff Jr. will officiate. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with military honors by the United States Navy. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2009, at Oakey's North Chapel, 362-1237.