Shawn Russell, 27 / Oct. 12, 1983 — May 20, 2011
Published 7:09 am Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Shawn Philip Russell, 27, of Niles and Elkhart, passed away Friday, May 20, 2011.
Shawn Russell, 27
He was born Oct. 12, 1983 in Bellevue, Wash. to Stephen and Kathleen (Pohlman) Russell, who survive him.
Shawn attended Niles High School and after obtaining his GED he enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College, where he furthered his education.
Shawn was married for a time to Robin Bruens and to that union was born Rozalyn Russell.
It didn’t matter what Shawn was doing, whether he was playing baseball or cheering on his Chicago Cubs, watching his favorite movies, like “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future,” or spending time camping, or playing disc golf, he lived his life with zeal and filled his days with the things that were important to him.
He had a passion for music, specifically the guitar. He was part of the Jason Sapen Band, which performed at various local clubs. He also gave guitar lessons, and had a soft spot for the kids he gave lessons to. Shawn enjoyed sharing his passion with the children and was as much a counselor as he was a teacher for them. Through much determination, Shawn was pursuing and taking his dreams to the next level and was opening up his own music store, along with his father, Home Run Music. Music was Shawn’s gift and he enjoyed sharing that gift with others.
Shawn was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Robert and Caryl Pohlman.
He will be greatly missed by his mother and father, Stephen and Kathleen “Kate” Russell of Niles; his sister, Erin (Jeremiah) Johnson of Knoxville, Tenn.; and his grandparents, Richard and Shirley Russell of Niles; his daughter, Rozalyn; along with countless friends.
A memorial service to celebrate Shawn’s life will be held Wednesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home with Pastor Ed Slate officiating.
A time of visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so in Shawn’s memory to Families for Depression Awareness atwww.familyaware.org/donate.
Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com orwww.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.
