Russell Stravers, 77, of Lynnville died Jan. 24, 2020. Memorial service was held Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Interment was in Sully Cemetery. Memorials have been designated for Sully Christian School or Mission India.
Russell Lee Stravers was born May 9, 1942, to Gilbert and Jennie (Harthoorn) Stravers in Lynnville.
Russ attended Black Oak Country School, Sully Christian School, and graduated from Pella Christian High School.
Feb. 23, 1962, he was united in marriage to Gladys Viola Lanser at the Sully Christian Reformed Church. To this union they were blessed with five children: Jeffrey, Brenda, Lynnette, Gregory, and Philip.
Throughout his career, Russ painted barns, farmed, worked at farm implement dealers, built grain bins, worked for Vermeer Manufacturing for 31 years, and finally, worked for a farm implement dealer again. Russ also mowed the lawn and drove bus for Sully Christian School.
Russ was a gifted singer who was a member of the Sounds of Praise Gospel Quartet for 25 years and together they made four records. He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, and yardwork, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Russ was a member of Sully Christian Reformed Church where he directed the choir for many years.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Gladys; their children Jeff (Jody) Stravers of Sully, Brenda (Mark) McKay of Attica, Lynn Nichols of Des Moines, Greg (Marcy) Stravers of Pella, and Phil (Amy) Stravers of Pella; 13 grandchildren; four great-grand-children; and two sisters Velma (Larry) Ouwenga of DeMotte, IN, and Sandra (Phil) Braziel of Waukee.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Marilyn Schuling.
