Joseph Wilmer Russell

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be said Friday, December 29, 2006 at 12:30 PM in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD with Fr. John Barry officiating. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, MD. Visitation: Viewing and Visitation will be Thursday, December 28, 2006 from 5PM till 8PM with a Prayer service at 7PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel. Joseph Wilmer "JW" Russell, Jr. 78, of Clements, MD and formerly of Hollywood, MD died December 24, 2006 in St. Mary's Hospital. Born January 15, 1928 in Hollywood, MD he was the son of the late Joseph W. and Eva Copsey Russell, Sr. He was the loving husband of Dorothy Ann Russell, whom he married on August 8, 1970 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD. He was the devoted father of Debra LaMay of Rosehaven, MD, Gail Guest of Harwood, MD, Joseph W. Russell, III of King George, VA, Sue Lynn Russell of Leonardtown, MD, Stephen Andrew Russell of Newport, VT and Cynthia Leigh Russell of Edgewater, MD. He is also survived his siblings Mary Agnes Huntt, James Miedzinski, Charles Miedzinski and Eva "Susie" Owen all of Hollywood, MD, Margaret Saunders of Hughesville, MD and Cecilia Taylor of King George, VA and 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his beloved cousin Lloyd "Bubba" Copsey. He was preceded in death by his siblings Theresa Russell, Elizabeth Stone, Louise Miedzinski, Joseph Miedzinski and Francis Miedzinski. He was also preceded in death by his first wife Joyce Ann Russell on April 27, 1968. Mr. Russell was a lifelong St. Mary's County resident where he was a heavy equipment operator for 45 years with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local Union 77 until his retirement in September of 1990. Mr. Russell also served in the United States Army from March 27, 1946 until April 4, 1947. His hobbies included wood working, card playing, watching the Washington Redskins and Nascar. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 28, 2006 from 5 - 8 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, December 29,2006 at 12:30 PM in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD with Fr. John Barry officiating. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jason Guest, Michael Guest, Frank Sabatke, Trevor Higgs, Dann Doyle and Chris Keller. Contributions may be made to the 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609 and/or Holy Angels Catholic Church, 21335 Colton's Point Road, Avenue, MD 20609.