AREA OBITUARIES – P.J. Russell

P.J. Russell, age 80 and a resident of the Chestnut Glade Community in Weakley Co., Tenn., passed away Wed., April 23, 2025 near his home. He was born the oldest of five in Centralia, Ill. on April 19, 1945 to the late Philip E Russell and Betty Merkle Russell.
P.J. started his railroad career as a machine apprentice, a job he loved. He later worked on trains and moved to this area in 1979 to work for the Illinois Central Railroad as a Brakeman and Conductor. Also in 1979, he opened Russell’s Reloading at his home, blending his love of machine work and gunsmithing for the rest of his life. He taught conceal carry permit classes and hunter safety courses to many. He assisted the TWRA in hunter safety for youth education and was a member of the NRA since the age of sixteen. P.J. also had a love of big loud machines and operated heavy equipment for himself and others for many years.
He served as an Auxiliary Police for the city of South Fulton, Tenn. for several years. P.J. was currently serving as the Weakley County, Tenn. District 1 as Constable. P.J. and his late wife Mary Russell, were involved in starting the Good Samaritan Clinic formerly in South Fulton, Tenn. He remained an active member until the clinic closed.
He was on the board of the New Hope Cemetery and was a member of the Fulton Country Club. He began playing golf at 65 and placed in the Super Senior Tournament in the year 2024. P.J. was a good friend to all and enjoyed shooting, traveling, fishing and exercising every day. He was enjoying his morning walk when he passed away.
He said many times, this community is so good to me. He loved serving in any way and has left behind many dear friends.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Hammond Russell of the Chestnut Glade Community; his children, Eric Russell, of Martin, Tenn., Patrick Russell, of Symrna, Tenn., and Abbie (Ronnie) Irvan, of South Fulton, Tenn.; his step children, Richard (Sara) Gipson, of Owensboro, Ky., Cristy Bixler, of Benton, Ill., and Donald (Dorothy) Bixler, of Macedonia, Ill.; two brothers, David (Susan) Russell, of Martin, Tenn., and Mark (Lisa) Russell, of Michigan, and Marriann (Richard) Sharp, of Evansville, Ind.; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Preceding P.J. in death were Mary Russell; his parents; his beloved grandparents, Mama Sue and Daddy Hoopie Merkle; one daughter; Christine Russell Thorpe; one sister, Suzette Russell Hemann; and one grandson.
A public visitation will be held Sat., April 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Hornbeak Funeral Chapel in Fulton, Ky.
Memorials may be made to: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, Tenn. 38105; or the Twin Cities Railroad Museum, 700 Milton Counce Dr., South Fulton, Tenn. 38257.