Ione Russell

CARBONDALE - Ione Russell, a longtime resident of Carbondale, passed away on Nov. 14, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was an accomplished artist, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a woman whose quiet creativity, resilience, and deep compassion touched everyone who knew her.

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Milton and Dorothy Stillwell, Ione grew up near Lake Michigan, where her early connection to water later inspired much of her artwork. Ione married William J. Russell in 1955. After receiving his degree as a civil engineer, Bill and Ione moved to Southern Illinois where they raised their four children.

In 1988, after a long-awaited trip through Germany, Austria and Italy, Ione returned home with inspiration that led to her two passions: Painting and Ice skating. Though she dabbled in art classes, Ione was largely self-taught. She later joined the Art Center in Marion and became a member of the Art Colony at the Unitarian Fellowship.

Ione's artwork, often filled with oceans, streams and winter landscapes, reflected her sense of harmony and love of the natural world. She created tender detailed portraits of all her children, grandchildren, and their beloved pets, each one a lasting testament to the joy she found in her family.

Skating was another great delight in her life. When an ice rink opened an hour from her home, Ione embraced it wholeheartedly, eventually teaching lessons even into her 70's. Her husband, knowing her love of skating, even tried flooding parts of their yard in winter, hoping to give her a patch of ice to skate on at home.

Ione worked briefly in medical records at the Carbondale Clinic, but the heart of her life was her family. She was an excellent cook who poured love into every holiday meal, birthday cake and Sunday dinner. Together, Bill and Ione built a backyard pool, which became the center of years of treasured moments: birthday parties, spectacular fish fries, summer days filled with laughter, and countless family memories we all cherish.

Her favorite season was autumn and Halloween, when the crisp air, colorful leaves, and bonfire evenings, especially on her birthday, brought her peace and joy. In her later years, she faced physical challenges, including carrying oxygen and difficulty walking, yet she remained spirited and loved. In her final days, her family reminded her that she would one day walk again in the woods, glide across her own private pond on ice skates surrounded by snow-covered trees, and paint endless sunsets.

Ione is survived by her daughters, Sherri Lynn LoMedico and son-in-law Mike of Jackson, Missouri, and Nancy Russell Trude and son-in-law Edward of Carbondale; her sons, William J. Russell IV of Florida and Randy R. Russell of Carbondale; and beloved grandchildren, Tony LoMedico (Karen), Matt LoMedico (Julie), Alex, Jordan and Sydney Trude, Hunter Russell, Hailey Bohannon; and great grandson, Joshua LoMedico.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William J Russell; her parents, Milton and Dorothy; her brother, Billy; and her sister, Jean.

Her family will miss her terribly, but her love and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of those she held closest.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Nov. 19, followed by a noon Funeral Mass with Joseph Brown, SJ at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale. Entombment will follow the Mass at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers or donations, hug your loved ones a little tighter, tell them you love them, buy or pick flowers for them while they are alive, perform a random act of kindness, pick up a paint brush and don't worry that your strokes are not perfect, mistakes are just happy accidents. This winter take a walk in the snow and maybe you'll be lucky enough to find a frozen pond.

In lieu of flowers or donations, hug your loved ones a little tighter, tell them you love them, buy flowers for them while they are alive, perform a random act of kindness, pick up a paint brush and don't worry that your strokes are not perfect, mistakes are just happy accidents.

This winter take a walk in the snow and maybe you'll be lucky enough to find a frozen pond.

Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To view the obituary and/or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.