Obituary of Russell Monro White

Russell M. White, 82, of Niles, peacefully passed away in the comfort of his own home on March 23, 2022. He was born to the late Willard and Allie (Lowery) White in Spencer, West Virginia, on July 6, 1939. Russell wasn’t a man of material things, showing off, or being the best-known man in Niles; he was a kind, humble, hard-working man who did right by those he valued the most. After working for Delta Industrial Valve for over thirty years, Russell was finally able to retire and spend time doing the things he loved most. Nothing brought him more joy than heading to the lake to fish, especially in his later years. If the sun was shining and he had an itch to get on his boat, one could almost always find him fishing in the same few spots on Stone Lake. Russell also really enjoyed hunting, although some would say he just enjoyed being out in the serenity of the woods. He took pride in being able to teach the younger generations useful skills in the wilderness. He was an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America Troop 550 for about five years. He was also a member of the Spencer teenage volunteer fire department in 1954. He was a man that enjoyed being able to give back and teach others. He enjoyed feeding all of the critters that found a home on his property; squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and deer. He was also known for his incredible garden every year. He would grow more vegetables than he knew what to do with so he always made a habit of giving all of his extras away. Russell would take veggies into his local bank, the Greater Niles Senior Center, his friends' houses, and his neighbors. He was regimented in the way he would go about his day. Russell served in the Army during the Korean War and he was very proud of that. As a result of the war, he had a very stern demeanor, but his heart was almost always in the right place. He appreciated a good conversation and time well spent with those he loved, especially if it was out on his boat. Russell will be dearly missed by many family members, friends, and loved ones. Those preceding Russell in death include his parents, Willard and Allie (Lowery) White; two of his children, Michael White, and Richard Harper; and two of his siblings, Ruby Farnsworth, and Edna Harris. He is survived by three of his kids, Russell (Rene) White Jr. of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Randol (Connie) Harper of Niles, and Ronald (Dawn) Simpson of Niles; sister, Waveline (Charles) Fox of Parkersburg, West Virginia; 7 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and plenty of extended family members and friends. A public visitation will be held at the Brown Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The visitation will end at 1:00 p.m. and then a graveside service will take place at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens at 1:30 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Greater Niles Senior Center or the Cass County Cancer Service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.