Russell D. Harris

Russell D. Harris, age 88, of Pittsfield, IL passed away on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Liberty Village in Pittsfield, IL. He was born in Columbus, IL at home on March 7, 1937 to Earl and Goldie (Hastings) Harris. Russell married Imogene Garner on September 15, 1956 in El Dara, IL and they were married just shy of 69 years. Russell graduated from Barry High School with the class of 1956 and went on to serve his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1958. After returning home he worked at the Brown Shoe Factory and then the Niebur Shell Station. He went on to work for the school district as a part time bus driver while working at Clausen's Photo Engraving, he then worked at G.R. Grubb, Oscar Mayer, and later the City of Pittsfield where he worked in the street and alley department retiring after 20 years. Russell really never retired because he went to work at Niebur Funeral Home as a funeral attendant and driver. Russell was a member of the New Hartford Christian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder and he later attended the Pittsfield Church of Christ. Russell was very active and found time to umpire softball and baseball games at the Pittsfield Lake. He loved sports and was very athletic participating in baseball, basketball and track in high school. During his time in the Army, he played basketball on the Army Post Team being the only player who did not play college or pro ball. He also coached a Little League team while in the Army and later coached a Little League team in Pittsfield. Russell was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting deer, quail, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, and turkey and hunted with a shot gun or bow and arrow. He also enjoyed mushroom hunting and fishing. Over the years he taught all his grandchildren how to fish. He loved to golf, even hitting a hole in one at the Barry Golf course. His greatest joy was his family, and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren with whom he would even get on the floor giving the best pony rides. Russell was the kindest, most honest man you could meet, always willing and ready to help when needed. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Russell is survived by his loving wife, Imogene; three children, Carol (Bob) Barton of Clinton, IL, Linda (Jim) Girard of Hannibal, MO and Brian (Heidi) Harris of Quincy, IL; grandchildren, Brad (Paula) Barton, Greg (Abbi) Barton, Matt (Katie) Barton, Kristin (Joey) Blum, Megan (Wes) Carter, Alex Harris, Michael (Brooke Swope) Girard, Ben Harris; great-grandchildren, Kylie Barton Mya Barton, Jax Barton, Reese Barton, Aubrey Barton, Robbie Blum; siblings, Joe Harris of Barry, IL, Rosie Hively of Barry, IL; he is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Goldie Harris and his in-laws, Wendell and Rachel Garner; siblings and in-laws, Jim (Marilyn) Harris, Dorothy (George) Zulauf, Francis Robinette, Wanda Harris, George Hively; half siblings, Arthur Harris, Martha Harris and Myrtle Fee. Services will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield, IL. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Interment will be at the Taylor Martin Cemetery in El Dara, IL. Memorials are suggested to be made to the Taylor Martin Cemetery or Pittsfield Church of Christ. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Russell D. Harris, please visit our floral store.