In Memoriam

Elaine R. Russell

Elaine R. Russell, 85, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Tuesday, October 10, 2006.

She was born June 8, 1921, in Elgin, Ill.

Elaine graduated from Sherman Hospital School of Nursing in 1942 and served as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps from February 1943 to February 1946. She served in the Southern Pacific Theater during World War II, and was present at the Battle of New Guinea to the retaking of the Philippines where she was on the hospital ship, The Hope, in Manila Bay. Mrs. Russell was awarded two Bronze Stars for her wartime service. She is listed on the Roll of Honor at the Women in Military Service War Memorial in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Russell was a resident of Port Charlotte for 35 years. She was the chief emergency room nurse at what is now Charlotte Regional Medical Center and retired from that position in 1990. Mrs. Russell was a member of First Christian Church in Port Charlotte for 30 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Russell; a sister, Ellen Burgeson Jacobs; and her parents, Ida and Alvin Burgeson.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2006, at Sandhill Gardens Retirement Home, 24949 Sandhill Blvd., Deep Creek, Fla., where Mrs. Russell resided for the past two and one half years. Minister Jamie Snyder of First Christian Church of Port Charlotte will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 20212 Peachland Blvd., Port Charlotte, Fla.

Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.

Elaine Russell (1921)