Russell Allen Rader, 75, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 2:16 am, Friday, August 25, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Chester, Illinois.
He was born to the late George E. and Sylvia (nee Neihouse) Rader on April 24, 1948 in Red Bud, Illinois.
Russell married Linda (nee Nitzsche) Nehrt on October 27, 1990 in Chester, Illinois; she survives.
He had worked for the City of Chester Water Department for 28 years and served as the Superintendent for 11 years.
Russell was a member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Rockwood, Illinois. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #487, V.F.W. Post #3553, the Eagles Club Aerie #3252 and the Chester Country Club. Russell had also served as a City Alderman for over 12 years and had just retired. He enjoyed crossword and sudoku puzzles, morel mushroom hunting and making and sharing his sugar pecans. Russell loved to golf and was an avid fan of Chester Football and St. Louis Cardinal Baseball. He also loved to spend time with his family and attend his grandchildren’s sporting events.
He was a United States Marine Corps Veteran and was selected as his Platoon’s Honorman.
Survivors:
Wife: Linda Rader Chester, IL
1 Son: Russell (Elizabethe) Rader Chester, IL
1 Daughter: Angela (Trent) Vasquez Chester, IL
2 Step Sons: Brett Nehrt (Lisa Dierks) Tampa, FL, Bartt (Christina) Nehrt Oklahoma City, OK
1 Sister: Della (Ed) Word Vicksburg, MS
6 Grandchildren: Katelyn Rader (Fiance Gage Basting), Lucas Rader, Lauryn Vasquez, Paige Vasquez, Jackson Nehrt and Charlotte Nehrt
1 Brother-in-law: Gary Thornton Marissa, IL
Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends
Preceded in Death by: Parents, 3 Sisters – Sandra Thomas, Sharon Ramsey and Wanda Thornton, 3 Brothers – Wib, Charles and George Rader and 1 Infant Sister – June Marie
Memorial Service: 1:00 pm, Friday, September 1, 2023, Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois Officiating: Rev. Cecil Dunning
Inurnment: Evergreen Cemetery Chester, Illinois
Visitation: Friday – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois
Memorials: Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Rockwood, Illinois, Randolph County Toys for Tots