Russell Martin Donnell, 78, of Marshall, MO, passed away Monday, March 11, 2024, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, at Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Randy Shannon officiating. Burial will follow in Ridge Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Cumberland Presbyterian Church or Marshall Police Department in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Russ was born on September 24, 1945, in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, and was the son of the late Royal and Val Donnell. At the age of nine months he and his mother came to the United States to rejoin Royal who was serving in the United States Army.
He was raised in Marshall with his family, graduated from Marshall High School, then went on to pharmacy school at UMKC where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science of Pharmacy. Russ met his future wife, Mary Kay Hawley, on a blind date while in school. They would later marry on July 1, 1967. They had two children, Jeannie Donnell Horton and Michael Donnell, and four grandchildren, Zoie Horton, Adam Horton, Katherine Donnell and Jack Donnell.
Russ worked as a registered pharmacist for over 50 years. He owned and operated Donnell Pharmacy and later retired as a pharmacist from Marshall Habilitation Center. He was a reserve police officer and reserve deputy with the Saline County Sheriff’s Department and retired after 35 years with the Marshall Police Department as a Lieutenant.
After retirement he worked as an emergency preparation planner for a number of health departments and was the director of the Saline Medical Reserves Corp for 12 years. He received a national award in Washington D.C. from the Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Services for his work as the director of the local Medical Reserve Corp. He was also a past president of the Marshall Rotary Club and a member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
His unwavering love for his wife and family was closely followed by his love of the outdoors. He spent hours at his tree farm and was passionate about hunting with his son and grandchildren. Spending time on the farm with his family gave him his greatest joy.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Kay Donnell; son, Michael Donnell (Deanna); grandchildren: Zoie Horton, Adam Horton, Katherine Donnell and Jack Donnell; a sister, Cheryl Kennon; and nephews, Lance MacLaughlin and Brad MacLaughlin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Val Donnell; and daughter, Jeannie Horton.