Russell Woinowsk

Woinowsk, Russell 8/8/1915 - 10/1/2017 Russell Kenneth Woinowsk passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2017. Russell was born on August 8, 1915 to the late Otto and Alvina Woinowsk in Dubuque, Iowa and raised with his siblings the late June and Orrine Woinowsk. He attended North Dallas High School where he graduated in 1932. He spent two years at the University of Texas and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Sacramento State College. Later, in 1964, he earned a master's degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University. In October of 1941 Russell married Cecil L. McFerran in Galveston, Texas. They spent 54 wonderful years of marriage together until her passing in 1995. Russell and Cecil raised two children: Stephanie of Grand Ledge, Michigan and Russell Jr. of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was a proud grandfather of four and great-grandfather of ten. Russell served in the United States Air Force from June of 1941 to June of 1963. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant after Bombardier Instructor School, advancing to Lieutenant Colonel. During his military career he spent time as a Bombardier, Radar Systems Operator, and qualified as a Master Navigator. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, an Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and an Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. His time with the Army Air Force during World War II was spent in B-24s as the Group Bombardier,466th Bomb Group, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force in Europe and the later, in Korea as a staff officer with an Air Force B-29 Bomb Group , flying missions from Japan to Korea as navigator and bombardier. After retiring from the US Air Force, Russell taught mathematics at Romulus High School for about 20 years until 1985. He went on to work with the O'Sullivan family at the Food and Drug Mart processing accounts receivable for almost 20 more years. In his free time, Russel enjoyed flying airplanes having obtained a private pilot's license with multi-engine and instrument ratings which allowed him to fly at night and during poor weather conditions. Additionally, he practiced marksmanship shooting rifles and pistols. He deeply enjoyed spending time with the Ann Arbor Kiwanis for 50 years, attending weekly meetings and lunches. He also was proud to be a member of the WWII Bombardiers, the VFW, and the American Legion. Russell was active with the Boy Scouts of America, and a lifetime member of both the NRA and the Tri-County Sportsman's Club. A memorial gathering will be held on Monday, October 9, 2017 from 2-6 PM at the Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ann Arbor Western Kiwanis, P.O. Box 3126, Ann Arbor, MI 48106.