ROCHESTER, IL - George Edward Russell, 80, of Rochester, died Monday, July 27, 2015, at home with his family.

George was born Jan. 30, 1935, in Hillsboro, Ill., the son of Harold and Elsie Bramel Russell. He married Rita Sendejas.

George was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict where he served as an instructor teaching Instrument Flight, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Atomic, Biological and Chemical Warfare at the age of 18. He then went on to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After graduation in 1960, George began a career in computer technology at IBM in Springfield and then M. H. Golden in San Diego, Calif. He finished his career as Deputy Director of Legislative Information System for the State of Illinois, retiring in 1996. He worked as a school bus driver for the Rochester School District, retiring after 17 years, in 2012. He then worked part-time as a Red Coat volunteer at Memorial Medical Center until his death. He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Rochester.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Harold Russell; and son-in-law, Brian Heissinger

He is survived by his wife, Rita Russell; five daughters: Becky Davis of Phoenix, Ariz., Angela (Mike) Viesca of Austin, Texas, Amy (Jim Slowikowski) Russell of Sidney, Ill., Stefanie (Jason) Eisele of Chatham, and Teri (Jim) Bosiljevac of Oakland, Calif.; one son, Christopher Russell of Springfield; 11 grandchildren: Megan Davis, Morgen Lomme, Natalie Lomme, Zachary Lomme, Mathew Russell, Emelyn Russell, Elise Eisele, Kyan Eisele, Grayson Eisele, Gemma Bosiljevac, and Daphne Bosiljevac; three brothers: Melvin (Louise) Russell, Jim (Charn) Russell of Hillsboro and John (Charlene) Russell of Kankakee; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015, at Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at Church of St. Jude in Rochester with the Rev. R. Dean Probst officiating. Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Church of St. Jude, 633 S. Walnut St., Rochester, IL 62563.

Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Rochester, IL 62563 is in charge of arrangements. Visit our online obituary at www.wilsonparkfuneralhome.com.