Obituary of Harry Russell

H. Clifton Russell of Churchville, PA went home to be with his Savior January 9th. He was born June 18, 1931. He was born on the family farm in Churchville, PA.

He graduated from Council Rock High school class of 1949. In preparation for his missionary service he graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University in 1953. To be better prepared to serve the Lord among the Indian tribes in Peru, South America he took a year course at Biola School of Missionary Medicine at Los Angeles, California. This was in vocational nursing and missionary dentistry. He used these skills travelling among the Indian tribes and visiting many Peruvian villages along the many rivers in Peru including the Amazon and Ucayali. He was the only dentist and doctor many of these people knew. He also took a three month Liguistic course at the University of Oaklahoma in Norman, OK. Davisville Church of Southampton faithfully supported the ministry of Clifton, his wife Norma and their six children for 17 years. From 1973 until 1976 their ministry took them to Iquitos, Peru where Clifton taught and became Director of the Peruvian Bible Academy. Teaching and training young men and women to take the Word of God to their own tribes.

Clif arrived in Peru August 1955. He met Norma there in the Peruvian village of Contamana where they were married in December of 1956.

In June of 1976 he returned with his family to the United States and lived in Langhorne for 5 years. Unable to return to Peru they moved to Churchville near the Russell family farm, where he had been born and raised, and began another career working with his brother Alfred propagating perennial plants. Later and up to the present time he was employed by his son Alan at Russell Gardens Wholesale. In 1994 Clifton was honored at the annual symposium of the Perennial Plant Association for his contribution to the perennial plant industry.

Two careers, one life to live for his Savior the Lord Jesus Christ now rejoicing in Heaven, Home at last.

He is survived by his beloved wife Norma (Alger) Russell. His five sons, H. Clifton, Jr., Jay Timothy, Philip Andrew, Alan Silas (Angela), and Kent David Russell. His grandchildren Alex and Alaina Russell, Nayla Russell, and David and Linda Russell. Also six brothers James (Hazel), GA, Alfred (Jeanne) Churchville, PA, Bob (Roberta), West VA, Edward (Jonetta) Hanover, PA, Walter (Esther) New Oxford, PA, and David (Tamie), Hatboro, PA. Many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Ross and Myrtle (Mercer) Russell and his daughter Mary Ellen Russell.

His Life Celebration Service will be at Davisville Church, Saturday, January 22, 325 Street Road (Rt.132), Southampton, PA 18966 from 11am-12pm.

Friends and family may be received from 10-11am.