Russell J. Lander

Russell J. Lander Sr., 85, of Shippenville passed away early Friday morning, December 2, 2016 following a lengthy illness. He was born on March 9, 1931 in Lucinda, PA; son of the late Joseph Benedict and Loretta Philomena Schupp Lander. Russell attended Saint Joseph Catholic School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He served from January, 1949 to June, 1952 during the Korean Conflict, earning a Bronze Service Star, a Korean Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal, a Korean Presidential Unit Citation Commemorative Medal, a 50th Anniversary Korean Defense Commemorative Medal, an Army Meritorious Unit Commendation medal, a Nation Defense Service Medal, and an Army of Occupation Medal. Russell worked at Benedix Homes and then the Owen’s Illinois Glass Plant in Clarion, retiring in 1994. He married Joan Hope Cyphert on September 26, 1953, celebrating 63 years of marriage. Russell was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion and was also a member of the American Legion Post #66. He enjoyed wintering in Florida, golfing, wood working, playing cards, and spending time with his family and friends. Russell is survived by his wife, Joan Lander, five daughters, Cindy Black and her husband Terry, Donna Wilkinson and her husband Jeff, Jodi Rhea and her husband Doug, Brenda Kapp and her husband Phil, and Diann “Chip” Straitiff and her husband Rick, and son, Russ Lander and his wife Julie, nine grandchildren, twelve step grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and thirty-one step great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Ralph “Nick” Lander of Venus, a sister, Bernice Biernik of Erie, six brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Russell is preceded in death by four brothers, Daniel Lander, Arthur Lander, and infant twin brothers, Fred and Paul, eight sisters, Marie Dayton, Grace Zacherl, Florence Schmader, Bernadine Goughler, Catherine Whitehill, Beatrice Biltz, Ann Kinch, and Helen at birth, and one son-in-law, Paul Kellerman. Family will receive friends on Sunday, December 4, 2016 from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion with a Christian Wake Service at 5:30 p.m. A Military Service will be accorded by the American Legion Post #66 at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 5, 2016 in the Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 5, 2016 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Rev. Monty Sayers, pastor presiding. Entombment will be held in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum. Contributions can be made in memory of Russ to The Clarion Cancer Center, #1 Hospital Drive Clarion, PA 16214 or to the Clarion Forest Co. VNA, 271 Perkins Rd, Clarion, PA 16214.

Russell J. Lander

March 9, 1931 - December 2, 2016