Gertrude Leona Russell

Gertrude Leona (Windell) Russell entered into heaven with her family at her side on September 21, 2017. She was born and raised in Markleville and was a 1945 graduate of Markleville High School. She was a farm wife taking care of farm chores, housework and meals, which she was a excellent cook. Gertrude sold Avon for over 25 years becoming a top seller. She and her daughters worked at the Post Restaurant, and she also worked at the Red Gold where she met Allen. In 1977 She and Allen moved to Cape Coral, Florida where she resided for 38 years. She always shared the oranges, grapefruit, and mangos from the trees in her yard. She enjoyed feeding the squirrels and birds, especially the cardinals. Gertrude also worked at the Cape Coral Country Club for several years as a maid, and then in the laundry room. She attended Diplomat Calvary Wesleyan Church and Serendipity Church. She was the secretary there for several years. She was a 50 year member of the Eastern Star #363. Gertrude enjoyed walking the beaches looking for “the perfect shells”. She made crafts, and she glued shells around a large wall mirror, which she bragged to everyone about. As time passed and her health began to decline, she moved back to Indiana to be close to her children. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Robert (Barbara) Fox, Janice (Jack) Radford, Elaine (John) Gray; step-sons, David (Becky) Russell, James (Jeannie) Russell, Doug (Pam) Russell, Daniel Russell; grandchildren, Mike Fox, Randy (Holly) Burchette, John A. (Ivy) Gray, Amber (Aaron) Wise, Kim Daniel, Karen (Scott) Weaver; great grandchildren, Kaila Boyd, Danashee Avery, Pfc. Logan Gossett USMC, Colton Gossett, Anthony Wise, Aubrey Wise, Tasha Miller, Jacob Miller; great-great grandchildren: Amelia Boyd, Brody Daniel, Bryce Weaver, Rylee Weaver, Kerrigan Weaver, Dawson Weaver; sister-in-law, Wilma Windell, and several nieces, and special friends from Indiana and Florida. Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Bessie Windell, husbands, Raymond Fox, Tillman Stanley, and Allen Russell; brother Donald Windell, and a granddaughter, Shelley Burchette. A Celebration of Life and Eastern Star service will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory, 515 E. 53rd St., Anderson, IN 46013 with Pastor Rick Stevens officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. A private burial of cremains will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Diplomat Calvary Wesleyan Church, Cape Coral, Florida, American Cancer Society, or the Alzheimer Society.