Russell Walter Hunter, age 85, of Lebanon, Ill., born March 10, 1937 in Unionville, Conn., passed away Monday evening, June 27, 2022 at River Crossing Nursing & Rehab Center, in Edwardsville, following a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Russ grew up in Avon, Conn. where he enjoyed training steers to be oxen. He enlisted in the US Army in 1958. While attending the University of Connecticut, he met his future wife, Janice Peterson. Together, they relocated to the metro-east in the 1960s with Russ' work as a meat grader with the US Dept. of Agriculture. Here, they raised three children, and were active members at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Belleville. Russ served as an Elder, a Deacon, and Chairman of the Building & Grounds Committee, and assisted with many church projects  over the years. Most recently, he became a member at First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville. Russ was also a member of AF&AM Evening Star Lodge in Unionville, Conn., SAR Lewis & Clark Chapter, and Boy Scout Troop Committee Chairman. As an organic gardner, he preferred the outdoors to the indoors, and nothing brought more joy than sharing his vegetable harvest with friends and neighbors. Russ' corn was sweet, his beans were crisp, and his tomatoes were renowned across two states. A true gentleman with a kind and calm spirit, he was a dedicated husband, father, and grandpa.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Dorothy, nee Thompson, Hunter and his sister Nancy.

Surviving are his wife Janice, whom he married August 25, 1962; his children Doug (Kris Kocek) Hunter of Candler, N.C., Karen (Mike) Baxter of Edwardsville, Ill., and Dave (Ann) Hunter of St. Louis, Mo.; beloved grandchildren Amy, Todd, and Scott Baxter, and Joy and Drew Hunter; and sister Jean Middlebrook of Marietta, Ga.; several nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations are suggested to either First United Presbyterian Church or American Parkinson's Disease Association Midwest Chapter , or by mail to Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, IL 62269

Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, September 17, 2022 at First United Presbyterian Church, 1303 Royal Heights Rd., Belleville. The family will greet friends 1 hour prior to the service. Mr. Hunter was laid to rest at O'Fallon City Cemetery, O'Fallon, Ill.