Russell C. Silvers' Obituary
Russell Clayton Silvers, age 102, went to be with the Lord on April 8, 2025, at Oak Manor Senior Living in Largo, Florida.
Mr. Silvers was born August 20, 1922, in Petersburg, Indiana to Russell Freeman and Fannie Law Silvers. He married Mary Ruth McClanahan in Brazil, Indiana on November 23, 1946. They celebrated 70 years of marriage. She passed away on December 9, 2016.
He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942 and served with the U.S. Navy on the USS Grand Rapids during World War II. He was always proud that his work as a radioman on a weathership was saving lives, as the weather outside Iceland would arrive in Europe the next day. This forecast was pivotal on June 4, 1944, when he radioed the weather was deteriorating and the barometric pressure was rising, leading to D-Day being postponed by one day. He was honorably discharged in 1948 as a petty officer second class.
Russell graduated from Brazil High School in Indiana and Kent State University in 1958 with a bachelor’s in business management. He worked his way up at Brink’s Incorporated, working in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Massachusetts. He retired as Executive Vice President, specializing in the company’s labor contracts. After early retirement, he worked as the Executive Secretary of the Clinton Illinois Chamber of Commerce and DeWitt County ESDA.
Russell was an avid golfer who loved to coach and make personalized clubs tailored to the individual. He loved any competitive activity which led to him winning over 40 medals with the Polk County Senior Games. He was a devoted Christian who served as an elder for many years. Recently he had been a member of Legacy Christian Church.
Russell is survived by one daughter, Cathy Jill Gordon of Springfield, Illinois, one granddaughter Jill Gordon of Springfield, Illinois, one grandson Brad (Mary) Gordon of Peoria, Illinois, one great-granddaughter Brooke Gordon, one brother Stuart (Jackie) Silvers of Indianapolis, Indiana, twin sisters Marilyn (Jim) Plummer and Carolyn (Ken Carpenter) Dilger of Spring Hill, Florida, companion Francis Murphy of Lakeland, Florida and several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, D.R. Gordon, sister, Maxine Gossman, nephew, Victor Silvers, in-laws Chris Chamberlain, Glen Ankney, Sydney Althea Silvers, Elmer Dilger, John Gossman, Betty & Dwight Drake, and Deloris & Millard Francis.
Memorials can be made to Legacy Christian Church, 901 W Beacon Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803 or Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 1523 Willemore Ave, Springfield, IL 62704.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, June 6th, with the visitation from 10-11 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m. at Gentry-Morrison Serenity Gardens Chapel (3350 Mall Hill Drive, Lakeland, FL 33810). Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery.
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