Phyllis Lee Russ

Phyllis L. Russ, age 84, of Gladstone, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Murray's Country View Assisted Living in Gladstone.

Phyllis was born on March 7, 1941 in Detroit, the daughter of Philip and Jane (Barrows) Scharf. She was raised in Centerline, MI, and graduated from Centerline High School in 1958. In 1966, Phyllis was united in marriage to James R. Russ. Together they shared many wonderful years until his passing.

She started working after high school for Central Transport Trucking as a switchboard operator. She then moved on to Lavina Concrete as an office manager from 1961 until 1978 and spent the summer of 1964 traveling Europe with high school girlfriends. She was a stay at home mom until 1987 and this is when Phyllis and her husband would move to the UP to continue to raise their family while owning and operating the Rusty Rail. Her final project was her daycare, which she loved the most.

She had a big personality which had an impact on each person she interacted with. To know her was to love her. She touched the lives of everyone she knew. She was inspirational, kind, loving, funny, witty and sassy all rolled into a wonderful package. She found the good in everyone. She could do that when no one else could. She was the protector of the family, the glue that held us together and with the biggest heart, she was so very proud of her family. She will be deeply missed by everyone who loved her.

Her greatest joys and accomplishments were the love of her family and friends, maintaining her yard, gardening, planting her flowers and her day care kids who were still part of her life as adults. Whether it was visiting during the holidays or attending their high school graduation ceremonies and weddings.

Phyllis is survived by her children Sheryl (Rob) Horwitz, James Russ Jr., Jill Micheau, and Lisa (Doug) Green; grandchildren Jennifer (Jay) Malnar, Kristy Adkins, Melissa Perrigo, Steven Green, Paige Lindahl, Kayla (Tyler) Schulz, Elliot Micheau, Evan Horwitz; great-grandchildren

CJ Perrigo, Jackson Adkins, Zoey Adkins, Blake Malnar, Reese Shubert, Tanner Schulz, Liam Harris, Elaina Schulz; as well as special friends Denise Warner, Lester Duncan, and Leanne Broman, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband James R. Russ; daughter Patricia Perrigo, brother Daniel Karl Scharf; and her parents Philip and Jane Scharf.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Russ family.