Merlin Duane Russell Sr
Merlin went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 10, 2026. He was born February 16, 1933 on his mother’s birthday. He is predeceased by his parents, the Revs. Cecil and Grace (Sherman) Russell, and sisters Wilma (Russell) O’Hare and Annabelle (Russell) Leonard.
Merlin is survived by his wife Joann Elizabeth (Whitford) Russell of 70 years. Other survivors include their children, Merlin, Jr. and Carol (Doughty) Russell of Tallahassee, Florida, Mike Russell of Thurman, New York, Gary Russell of Horseheads, New York, Bob and Cindy (Banfield) Russell of Horseheads, New York, David and Shelynn (Rippeon) Russell of Hagerstown, Maryland, Steve and Mandy (Hufford) Russell of Dayton, Ohio and Bill and Bonnie (Russell) Gathany of Harvest, Alabama. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 28 greatgrandchildren and sisters and brother Fern (Russell) Turcott, Darlene Russell and Lew and Joyce Russell as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and beloved friends.
After high school. Merlin travelled to Alaska, an adventurous time of his life where stories were made and recalled to family throughout his life. He eventually landed a job in Horseheads where he met his sweetheart and soon-to-be wife Joann. After marriage, they moved to Thurman in the Adirondack Mountains where he began to build their first home. After the birth of their first two sons, they moved back to the area in and around Horseheads where they remained until October 2025 when they moved to Harvest under the care of Bonnie and Bill.
Merlin’s hands were rough, chapped, and often bruised and cut, a tribute to a life of workmanship. He was a hands-on guy and worked primarily as a mechanic, and appliance repairman. He even operated his own appliance repair business for some years. In addition, he was skilled at carpentry, plumbing, welding and was an electrician. If he did not have the right tool, he built it. Merlin was always helping people, whether picking them up to take them to church or helping repair a car. When not working, he loved the outdoors and always looked forward to spending time in the Adirondacks and deer hunting although we believe he shot more trees than deer.
As his parents were both ministers of the Wesleyan Methodist (later, Wesleyan) denomination Merlin grew up in the church. His greatest love was to serve the Lord!
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
God had a plan for Merlin, before he was even born, and throughout his upbringing, He became grounded in the Word of God upon a foundation that he stood on for his entire life. His children would repeat throughout the years, “If the church doors are open, the Russells would be there.” and it rang true.
Merlin was a leader in many ways at the Community Wesleyan Church in Horseheads, NY serving on the Local Board of Administration, a Trustee and Sunday School Superintendent. He used his artistic talent to present ‘Chalk Talks’ accompanied with music to many churches in the Horseheads area and beyond. He would often sing and present the gospel with some of his children at the Home for Men in Elmira. Merlin shared the Gospel in Elmira’s prison ministry and was a member of the Gideons helping to distribute Bibles around the world, but what he was most known for was teaching Sunday School. In the mid 1980’s his adult class asked Merlin to teach the book of Revelation and that started years of research and study. Merlin’s love for the book of Revelation led him through every book of the Bible plus countless books written by others about Revelation. Merlin never threw out an idea until it didn’t fit Biblically and then with that thought forgotten, he would move on to other ideas supported by Scripture.
Through all his study, Merlin sought to bring out God’s glory and lead others to the Good News of Jesus the Christ.
His last days were under the care of Bonnie and Bill. His last days were spent finishing his latest edition of Revelation Bible lessons, determined to lead a Bible study group.
Visitation for Merlin will be Friday, November 13th, 2026 at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home from 10:00 am until 10:45am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am Roger Fries officiating.
Donations are requested to be sent to the Community Wesleyan Church in Horseheads, New York.
