Elaine Russell

Elaine (Brochey) Russell passed into glory on July 20, 2024 at her home in Clearwater, FL surrounded by loving family. She was 2 weeks and 3 days shy of her 96th birthday. She was born August 6, 1928 to the late Landess and Grace (Himes) Brochey. She was one of 10 children, falling in the middle, and the youngest of the family Frances Rentovich is the only surviving sibling. She grew up in the Reynoldsville, PA area and was a cheerleader at Reynoldsville High School. She was a member of the Reynoldsville Baptist Church and the Eastern Star there. She was married to John Russell Sr on August 23, 1944 in Norfolk, VA. They made their home in Reynoldsville for many years until moving to Erie, PA in 1964. She was the favorite of her many nieces and nephews, and they still speak of her famous homemade cocoa and peanut butter toast.  She had significant dementia the last few years but always remembered her family and friends.

She was the most faithful Christian I have ever encountered. She had what is known as a servant’s heart. She put everyone in front of herself and loved waiting on her family and friends.   She was a past president of Women’s Aglow in Erie, PA and was among the ladies who started the organization in Erie, along with Aunt Fran and a few others. She was a true Christ follower and set a great example for her family. She was a true prayer warrior and weekly met with other women to pray for those in need. They had a prayer line that anyone could call with requests to our home phone. If there was a pressing need, she would quickly call her prayer partners to send up the prayers. We were truly covered with an umbrella of protection.

She wintered in Florida for many years after my Father passed away, living at Ranch Mobile Park and attended church there in Largo. She participated in their “Salt and Light” program where they provided food, clothing and a word of prayer for anyone in need. She loved living on the Ranch and several of her family members also had homes there. They played cards together every night and spent hours together laughing, talking, drinking coffee and having dessert. She and her sisters had Bible study in their carports and also attended Bible Studies with the ladies of the church. Those were some of her best years. I count myself as truly blessed to have had this Godly woman as my mom. Her biggest heartbreak was in the loss of 3 of her 4 children over a two year period but I know that after she hugged Jesus she was quickly hugged by my sister JoAnne Guiher and my brothers, John Russell and Jerry Russell. Her tremendous faith in God always carried her through. She was the most joy filled person. She had a smile for everyone even in the last couple weeks of her life.

She is survived by her sister, Frances Rentovich, sister-in-law Joan Brochey, daughter Jeannie Russell Gray (Dennis), son-in-law Allen Guiher Sr and daughter-in-law Kristi Russell. Grandchildren Allen Guiher Jr (Carla), Allison Guiher, Robert Guiher (Stacey), Rachel Guiher (Kim Gardner), Mark Russell (Brandy), Matthew Russell (Chrystal), Luke Russell (Tonya), Rebecca Gray, Jillian Porter (Brendon), Dennis Gray the third, David Sunt (Kayla), Kayla Adkins (Thomas), Megan Russell, Bethany Russell and Jared Russell. She is also survived by her daughter-in-love Barbara Flues (Alan), her great-grandchildren, Brett, Riley, Ian, Dakota, Remington, Morgan, Marshall, Rebecca, Margaret, Jenna, Madaline, Gavin, Nathan (Jessica), Bruce, Hazel, Bentley, Sloane, Hudson, Bennett, Noah, Mason, and Knox, great-great-granddaughter Scarlett and many nieces and nephews.

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 55 years John E Russell Sr., her parents, Landess and Grace Brochey, brothers and sisters, Dorothy Yohe(Malvin), Jack Brochey, Betty Haines (Richard), Faye Hicks (Lester), Raymond Brochey (Ella Mae), Ronald Brochey (Mona), Esther Emery (Harry) and Floyd Brochey, brother in law John Rentovich and her children JoAnne Guiher, John Russell (Susan) and Jerry Russell.

A grave side service arranged by Snyder - d'Argy Funeral Home will be held on August 31, 2024 at Lakelawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Reynoldsville, PA at 11am with a celebration of her life to follow at Sandy Township Recreation Park, Dubois, PA.  Memorial Contributions may be made to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

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