AUBURN – Russell Lewis Stevens, 79, of Strong, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at the Hospice House in Auburn with his loving family by his side.
He was born Oct. 9, 1928, in Strong, Maine, a son of Frank and Hazel (Kershner) Russell. He attended Strong schools and was a veteran, having served during WWII in the United States Navy on the USS Compton from 1945-1948. On Aug. 22, 1958, he married Eloise Savage. They made their home in Strong.
For many years, he was employed by the state Department of Transportation. He was also a millwright for Starbird, Isaacson and Packard Lumber companies and drove a school bus for a few years. He was active in the Lions Club, 4-H Club, Little League, ATV Club, Snowmobile Club, the Johnson-Cox American Legion Post #78, the Strong Fire Dept. and the Strong Social Club of the Beal’s General Store. He was an avid reader and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Eloise, of Strong; his children: Ivan Gould Jr. of Strong; Adrah Taylor and her husband, Ed of Avon; Roy Gould and his wife, Debbie of Avon; Frank Stevens and his wife, Sibyl of Phillips and Ronald Stevens of Strong; his sisters, Dawn Pratt and her husband, Andy; and Betty Snell and her husband, Les, all of Strong; brother, Frank Milton Stevens and his wife, Audrey; and Marshall Stevens, all of Strong; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his “grand dog” Brownie.
He was preceased by his son, Raymond Gould; his sister, Charlene Stevens; two grandchildren and his parents.
Public memorial graveside services will be held Saturday afternoon, Aug. 9, 2008 at 2 p.m. from the Village Cemetery, Strong with Rev. Gary Hubley officiating. Following services, all are invited to a family reception in the Strong.
Methodist Church Parish Hall, hosted by the women’s fellowship.Members of the Johnson-Cox American Legion Post #78 will provide a memorial prayer service. Those who desire may give gifts in his memory to either the Hospice House of Auburn, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, Me. 04210 or to the FMH Oncology Dept., 111 Franklin Health Commons, Farmington, ME. 04938.
Those who would like to offer words of comfort to his family via e-mail may do so by sending your messages to wilesfuneralhomes@verizon.net Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center: Cremation Service and Funeral Home, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington.
