Rev. Russell L. McInnis Obituary (1930 - 2020)

Rev. Russell L. McInnis, 90, of Virden, died March 10, 2020 at Sunrise Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Virden, Il. Russell was born Feb. 25, 1930 in Rice Lake, WI. to the late Gilbert and Frances (Vine) McInnis. He married Roberta (Miller) McInnis on April 11, 1954 in Stanley, WI. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 53 years, and sisters, Mona Conroy and Shirley Buschette. He is survived by sons, Ronald (Sara) McInnis of Morganton, GA., Robert (Rita) McInnis of Dixon, IL.; daughter, Rochelle (Ted) Holsapple of Arcanum, OH.; sister, Linnaea Elledge of Shoreview, MN.; 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Russell graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1949, Manchester College in 1953, and Bethany Theological Seminary in 1955. He served as a Church of the Brethren pastor for 35 years, including churches in Virden and Lanark, IL. He represented Virden and Lanark as the high school basketball scorekeeper and football announcer for total of 45 years. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 for his service. He served as the Virden Fire Dept. Chaplain for 21 years. He, along with his wife, was chosen as Virden's Citizen of the Year in 2004. He organized and participated in Brethren Disaster Relief and was director of church youth camps for many years. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday (March 16, 2020) at Virden Church of the Brethren in Virden, Il. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorials may be made to Virden Church of the Brethren c/o Airsman-Calvert Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.airsmancalvert.com