Russell Lee Mendenhall, age 76, of Leesburg, FL entered his eternal home and into the arms of Jesus on March 3, 2025. He was a member of New Lisbon Christian Church, Union City, IN and attended First Christian Church in Leesburg, FL.
Russell was born in Union City, IN on August 18, 1948 to Russell and Ruth Ann Mendenhall. He was married to Rosemary Mendenhall for 35 years. He was a loving father to his children, Todd (April) Mendenhall, Tina (Maurice) Johnson, and grandchildren Brandon, Selena, Darian, Dominique, Devan, Donovan, Benjamin, Landon, Brandon, Evan, and Isaac. Additionally, he became the step-father to Rosemary’s children, Wendy (John) Smith and Daniel (Shelley) Carver, and his step grandchildren, Kathrine (Tim) Ferguson, Brittany (David) Morse, Cassandra (Dylan) Engle, Amanda McCombs, Anthony Carver, Anna-Marie Carver, and great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Lily, Fletcher, Finn, Florence, Jazalynn and Jaziel, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is survived by his wife Rosemary, brother Robert (Mary) Mendenhall, and brother in laws Roy Loper and Marvin Williams. Russell was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Ruth Ann, daughter Teresa Mendenhall, stepdaughter Emmy Songer and sisters Joyce Loper and Linda Williams.
He attended Union City Community High School and graduated in the class of 1966. After graduation Russell joined the U.S. Navy and served on board the U.S.S. Intrepid during the Vietnam war. Upon returning home he went to work with his father in the construction and remodeling of homes in Randolph and Darke counties. He then worked for the Randolph Central School system in maintenance, and retired as Maintenance Supervisor in 2014.
He enjoyed fishing and going to the grandkids dance, music and sport competitions through grade school, high school, and college. They were the love of his life. He enjoyed family gatherings and potluck dinners. He and Rosemary loved to travel and they visited all of the United States except Washington state and Rhode Island. Russell especially loved traveling to Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe. Recently, he enjoyed sitting daily with his veteran friends at McDonalds and eating sausage gravy and biscuits.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Parkinson’s Foundation or Samaritan’s Purse (Operation Christmas Child).