Shirley M. Russell

Shirley M. Russell, age 87 of Astoria, Illinois, passed away at 2:50 a.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022 in the Emergency Room at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, Illinois. She was born on August 14, 1934 in Marbletown, Illinois, the daughter of Dean Darius and Helen Fern (Richardson) Farwell. She married Richard Hamm in 1951. He preceded her in death in December of 1954. She then married John "Gabe" Russell on January 6, 1960 in Havana, Illinois. He preceded her in death in September of 1985.

Shirley is survived by her son Rick (and Vickie) Hamm and her daughter Marsha Thomas, all of Astoria, Illinois, 4 grandchildren; Ricky (and Wendy) Hamm, Jr., Justin Bair, Ami Ganther, and Jennifer Severns, 5 great-grandchildren; Kyleigh Bair, Tyler Hamm, Alex Showalter, Zach Severns and Kaleb Ganther, and 3 brothers Curt Farewell of Lewistown, Illinois, Randy (and Vonnie) Farwell of Peoria, Illinois and Regis Farwell of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Shirley worked in housekeeping at Astoria Gardens.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her life. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11:00 am at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, Illinois. Pastor Bob Spencer will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Hickory Cemetery in Astoria, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Astoria Rescue Squad.