Kenneth W. Russell

Kenneth William Russell, 52, of Covert, MI, died at his home on Monday, February, 9, 2004. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday at 10:00 AM, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Rev. Wade Panse will officiate the service with burial to follow at North Shore Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 5:00- 8:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Berrien County Youth Fair-Dog Department, or Michigan Flywheelers. Friends wishing to send a condolence message may do so at the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com Ken was born April 1, 1951 in Benton Harbor, MI., to John (Bob) & Barbara (Boal) Russell. On August 7, 1970 he married Margaret Louise Short in St. Joseph. During his life Ken earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He’s the current President of Berrien Kennel Club. He was a member of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America. A founding member and officer of the Lake Michigan Cardigan Club. He showed and bred Cardigan Welsh Corgis, under the name of Thistle Lane for over fifteen years. He also owned and restored antique John Deere tractors. He was a member of the Michigan Flywheelers and a past member of the Michiana Two Cylinder Club. Ken was also active in 4H and was assistant Superintendent of Dogs at the Berrien County Youth Fair. He enjoyed hunting and just being outside. He is survived by his wife Margaret of Covert, a daughter Julia (Joseph) Duschek of Stevensville, a son Jonathan Russell of Covert, a granddaughter Heather Michelle Duschek; two sisters – Shirley (Nick) Auringer of St. Joseph, and Karen (Gary) Hartman of South Carolina; a brother – Donald Russell of St. Joseph; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father John “Bob” Russell.