Dashner-Strauss Funeral Home

Served with Honor - United States Military Veteran
Russell E. Stapf
Russell E. Stapf
September 17, 1918 - December 07, 2009
Millstadt, Illinois

Visitation: 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. December 11, 2009 at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt, IL.
Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M. December 12, 2009 at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt, IL., with Rev. David Krueger, officiating.
Interment: December 12, 2009 at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, IL.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents: Otto & Vila, nee Weber, Stapf and his brother: Wayne Stapf. He is survived by his wife: Carol Stapf, nee Waelti, his daughter: Elaine (Gene) Rich of Silver Spring, Maryland, his son: Gary (Madonna) Stapf of Millstadt, IL., his grandchildren: Ed & Pat Rich, Matt Stapf and Mike (Hillary) Stapf, his great grandchildren: Tatum & Taylor Stapf, his sisters: Lucille Schirmer & Marge (Ken) Siegel, he was also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives & friends.

He was a master of many trades, but most loved the earth beneath his feet and the fresh air of the farms throughout the county on which he could be found most of his life doing land improvement work. He was born September 17, 1918 in Defiance, MO. He was raised on a family farm near Mascoutah. He worked as a teenager doing farm labor. He worked for the county department of roads for a short while. He enjoyed his service with the military during World War II, as a member of the 808th Army aviation engineers. He was very proud of his service as an equipment operator during the war, clearing roads through the outback of Australia and building air fields there and in New Guinea or wherever the planes needed to land. He was a gifted equipment operator and after leaving the service he returned to St. Clair County and put his talents to use with equipment of his own. He married a farm girl, Carol Waelt on February 24, 1952 and they lived on a family farm near Millstadt till the time of his death. Some 57 years he enjoyed anything that involved the soil. His hobbies were his work and he seldom tired of it. He loved bulldozers, shovels and chain saws. He was blessed with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved them and everyone he met. He had many, many friends. He was very happy with the simple things in life and will be dearly missed.

Memorials may be made to Concordia United Church of Christ, DAV or Donor's Choice.

If you would like to share your thoughts and memories,
we will deliver your message to the family.
Click Logo here.