Raymond A. Russell

Raymond Anthony Russell, age 92 passed away suddenly on 10/3/2025. He was outside enjoying a beautiful afternoon when he decided to take his final nap. Russell, as he was known to family and friends, was born to Raymond A. and Phyllis M. (Chopp) Russell in Houghton County, Michigan on October 17, 1932. He was fond of his memories of Painesdale and remembers when the closure of the copper mines brought his family to Detroit in the summer of 1940. He spent the remainder of his life in Metro Detroit. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from February 25, 1953, to March 25, 1955, and retired from the Ford Motor Company on January 1, 2000. He and his late wife, Margaret celebrated 68 years of marriage before her death in 2021. Together they became proficient ballroom dancers. Upon retirement, they decided to avoid the Michigan winters and join the RV community. Together they spent several years travelling across the country, seeing the beautiful sites, and meeting new friends. Ray was a life-long, devout Catholic and served Mass as an adult at Church of the Holy Spirit in Highland, Michigan. He is survived by his children Raylene (David), Michael (Holly), Patrice, and Daniel, and his sister-in-law Sharon McKenna Skwiers. He leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, plus many beloved nieces, nephews and life-long friends. A Funeral Mass will be held at the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Novi on Friday, October 10, 2025, with visitation from 10:00 am until the Mass begins at 11:00 am. To view a livestream of the funeral, please click here when Mass begins. Raymond will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 1:30 PM.