BROWNSTOWN
Russell Carmichael, 90, passed away at 10 a.m. Monday, May 16, 2016, at Hoosier Christian Village in Brownstown. He had been a patient for only two weeks and had been in failing health the past four years.
Russell lived in the Freetown area for more than 70 years of his life and recently moved to the Brownstown area to be close to family.
Born in Brown County, where he spent all of his growing-up years, he was the son of Ralph and Anna Eddy Carmichael. He graduated from Van Buren High School. He played basketball and baseball during his high school years. Russell also enjoyed playing softball for Cummins Engine Co. Even though he was employed at Cummins for several years, his heart was in farming.
He married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Leonard, in December 1945. They moved to their farm in northern Jackson County and lived there for more than 70 years until they were no longer able to take care of the farm and moved to Brownstown to be close to family. While living on the farm, Russell loved to fish, hunt deer and quail and had several bragging rights on several animals.
Russell was a member of Houston Christian Church but most recently had attended Ratcliff Grove Christian Church. He was an ordained elder and served at both churches.
Survivors include a son, Gary (Peggy) Carmichael of Seymour and a daughter, Joy Soladine of Brownstown; four granddaughters, Cari (Mike) Boggs of Columbus, Amy (Steve) Blair of Medora, Jody (Eric) Sellers of Rockville and Christie (Stacy) Blair of Brownstown; and eight great-grandchildren. They also helped raise two nephews, Larry Garloch of North Carolina and Randy Garloch of Florida, after the death of Margaret’s sister. Russell also had several nephews that were very dear to his heart.
Russell had three sisters, Geneva Moore and Mildred Thomas, who lived in Ogilville, and Virginia Noblitt, who lived in Seymour, and a brother, Raymond, who was a neighbor in Freetown, and all preceded him in death.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Winklepleck-Weesner Funeral Home in Brownstown.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from noon until time of service Friday at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Houston Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Houston Cemetery Fund or Ratcliff Grove Christian Church.