Helen Russell

Helen Russell, 91, of Colona, passed away into the loving arms of her Savior on May 30, 2016, at Genesis Medical Center, Silvis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Freewill Baptist Church in Colona, with visitation one hour prior to service time. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Schroder Mortuary, Colona. Burial will be at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Memorials may be made to the Colona Food Pantry. Helen was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Lewistown, Mo., the daughter of James F. and Emma May Cox Brumbaugh. She married Harold E. Russell on Dec. 29, 1944, in Laredo, Texas. He passed away in 1989. Helen worked as a bailiff at the Henry County Courthouse and as a clerk at the Green Rock Police Station. She was a charter member of Green Rock Willing Workers and was co-founder of the Colona Food Pantry. She was also a member of Freewill Baptist Church and was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award. She also loved canning and baking. Survivors include her children, Sherry (Dick) Murphy, Vicki (Frank) Kulig and Mike (Cathy) Russell; grandchildren, Tracey (Chad) Williams, Shelly (Bruce) Jorgesen, Drs. Kristi (Matt) Bott, Frank (Jenny) Kulig Jr., Karrie (Shaun) Thompson, Matt (Tracey) Russell, Katie (Kyle) Williams, Abby Russell and Jordan Russell; 18 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Helena Smythe. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband and four siblings.