Russell E. "Gene" Eskew

Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Southside Baptist Church in Vandalia.
Officiating will be: Pastor Mark Phelps.
Music provided by:
Interment will be in the Vandalia Cemetery with full military honors.
Pallbearers(Grandsons): Jeremiah Eskew, Anson Eskew, Cory Eskew, Joshua Eskew, Caleb Eskew and Aaron Eskew.

Russell Eugene "Gene" Eskew passed away at 3:29 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at the Country View Nursing Facility in Bowling Green, Missouri. Gene moved to Vandalia as an infant and grew up and attended schools in Vandalia. He had worked for the International Shoe company for a few years before starting at Harbison Walker Refractories in Vandalia. Gene answered his country's call and served in the U. S. Army for two years during the Korean War. He returned to Harbison Walker and worked in the air ram department as an air hammer operator. Gene retired from the plant in March 1998. He was a member of the Southside Baptist Church in Vandalia and had enjoyed bowling, gardening and spending time with his family.

Born: March 26, 1933 in Winchester, Illinois the son of John Clay and Helen Celeste (Arthur) Eskew.

Married: Mary Helen Largent on November 17, 1956 in Vandalia; she survives.

Survivors include: wife, Mary Helen of Vandalia; three sons: Gary W. and wife, Billie Eskew of Bellflower; Larry D. and wife, Missy Eskew of Moberly and Eric D. Eskew of Overland Park, Kansas; two sisters: Edith and husband, Gene Kemp of Davenport, Iowa; Phyllis and husband, Archie Hursman of Vandalia; seven grandchildren: Jeremiah W. Eskew, Anson D. Eskew, Cory L. Eskew, Joshua C. Eskew, Beatrice J. Eskew, Caleb A. Eskew and Aaron C. Eskew; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by: parents; one brother, Jimmy W. Eskew; one sister, Jerrie Smith.

Memorials are encouraged to the American Cancer Society.