Esther Anna Russell, 85, Forrest, died at 12:55 pm Monday, April 25, 2022 at Good Samaritan Home, Pontiac.

Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00pm Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury followed by at memorial service at 4:00 pm. Pastor Daryl Evans of the First Baptist Church, Fairbury will officiate.  The family suggests memorials be directed the Good Samaritan Home, Pontiac or OSF Hospice.

Mrs. Russell was born January 13, 1937 in Ellsworth, IL the daughter of William Walter and Verla Martin Little.  She married Carl H. Russell on October 23, 1954 in Bloomington, IL.  He survives in Forrest.

Other survivors include her children, Rebecca Kay (Rick) Forsythe, Saunemin; Carl L. (Penny) Russell, Alabama; Brenda Tina (Bob) Meyer, Las Vegas, NV; William H. (Christina) Russell, Texas; 13 grandchildren, Tiffany (Ryan) Welsh; Amber (Matt) Christensen; Candace (Mindy) Forsythe-Daily; Nick (Rachel) Russell; Luke (Jennifer) Russell; Paul (Jennifer) Russell; Brittney (Richie) Bowles; Bridgett Russell; Sara (Justin) Fischer; Jennifer (Christian) Woodward; Connor, Caeden & Noa Russell; 30 great grandchildren; Delany, Shelby, Kate, Drew, Nolan, Blain, Abbi, Gage, RayLeigh, Wyatt, Robin, Lillian, Cole, Trent, Rylin, Gwen, Andrew, Caleb, Mason, Carlie, Leslie, Richie, Tessa, Libby, Chloe, Lilly, Sophia, Ruby, Roxy and Rob; and 1 great-great grandchild on the way; 2 sisters, Barbara Sennello, Lake Bluff, IL and Nancy (Bob) Murphy, Bloomington, IL and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by 2 brothers and one sister.

Esther worked at RR Donnelly, Dwight for 25 years.

She was a wonderful wife to Carl for 67 years and a loving mother and grandmother.  She loved cooking, camping, gardening and hummingbirds.  But most of all she loved spending time with family.  She will be dearly missed.