Russell Northrop

Russell Northrop
Jacksonville - Russell Northrop, 87 of Jacksonville passed away early Saturday April 15, 2023 in Jacksonville. He was born September 2, 1935 in Scott County the son of the late Joseph and Sarah Elizabeth Baxter Northrop. He married Wanda Little June 29, 1958 at the Bloomfield Baptist Church. She survives at home. Also surviving are their sons, Steven Northrop of Farmington, Minnesota, and Mike (Rebecca) Northrop of Jacksonville. Three Grandchildren Allison, Erica, Chloe Northrop, and a sister Marilyn Nagy of Jacksonville.
Preceding him in death were his brothers Raymond, Glenn, and Lynn Northrop, and sisters, Mildred Gauges, Macel Ingram and Maxine Hoots.
Russell worked at Anderson-Clayton for 44 years, from every iteration from Mrs. Tucker's through ACH, and never turned down an extra shift. He was a dedicated, hard-working provider, and possibly the originator of the "dad joke". He could fix anything. When he was not at work, or being awakened by his two sons stomping around noisily so they could see him, he would be plotting out his next garden. Seed catalogs arrived in the winter, his pocket notebooks filled with inscrutable marks – plans for what to grow, how far apart to plant, when to till the soil. His strawberries (he finally landed on 'sparkle supreme') burst in your mouth, and his tomatoes kept growing well into October. You grew tired of canning beans.
His best and brightest smiles were reserved for his wife, sons and granddaughters. "Come back" he'd say as you were getting ready to leave, not really wanting to. He was the very best of husbands, fathers, grandfathers and men. He is already missed.
As per Russell's wishes a private graveside service will be held in Bloomfield Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Blomfield or Glasgow Cemeteries.
The Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.