This comment is from Judy Mackinder Sarns:

Thank you for your condolences. It's still hard to believe that Russ is gone. He was always so energetic and healthy.

Russ had been having moments of confused thinking and tiredness since the beginning of the year - but not continually. When his confused thinking escalated in late August, my son and I took Russ to St. Joseph Hosp. in Ann Arbor where he was diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer) which had spread to his brain. We brought Russ home and I took him for 10 out-patient radiation treatments to shrink the tumors in his brain. This enabled his thinking to become more lucid. It was determined that having chemo treatments would not be of benefit.

Russ was comfortable and in very little pain. September and most of October, Russ was able to attend 3 U of M football games, go to cider mills and rides, guide me in dealing with our finances, cars and other details.Russ was able visit with family, including our precious 20 month-old grandson, and friends. He listened to me as I read from the Bible and other church literature and played hymns on the organ.

I called Angela Hospice about the third week of October, when Russ was getting weaker and couldn't navigate the stairs to our bedroom, and a hospital bed was brought to our house. I slept right next to him on the couch. The Hospice nurse and aide were a wonderful support to both of us. Russ passed away peacefully on the afternoon of November 11, 2011. Since we met in Sunday School at age 10, Russ and I had a long history together and were blessed to have 47 wonderful years of marriage. I also was blessed to be able to care for Russ for his last 2 1/2 months in our home.

You can go on Fred Wood Funeral Homes' website; fredwoodfuneralhome.com to read Russ' obituary.