John Russell “Russ” Reynolds, 80, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, December 08, 2020, at the Willow House in Hays, Kansas.
Russ was born on April 02, 1940, in Stockton, Kansas, the son of John William and Edna Marie (Hamit) Reynolds. He grew up in Stockton until he was in the 8th grade and at that time he moved with his family to Natoma, Kansas, where he attended Natoma High School. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Marthana R. Matheson on December 22, 1961, in The Methodist Church in Natoma, Kansas. From this union, Russ and Marthana were blessed with two children, Ray and Connie. Russ and Marthana opened their home and hearts to 28 foster children in their earlier years. Russ worked in the oilfield industry for most of his life. He was a longtime employee for Allied Cementing and worked his way up the ranks to supervisor. He then worked for Hays Pathology Laboratory before he retired. He was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas. Throughout his life and in his later years he enjoyed 3 PM coffee at McDonalds, shooting pool, baking angel food cakes, motorcycles, driving and working on cars, and loved taking long trips cruising up and down the local streets and rural roads of Kansas. Russ was always up for participating in Parades with his 64’ Impala and 72’ Corvette. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Russ especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Russ’s greatest enjoyment and blessing in life was the unconditional love between he and his wife, Marthana.
Surviving family includes his wife Marthana of the home; son Ray P. Reynolds and wife Brenda of Bixby, Oklahoma and daughter Connie K. Krug and husband Steve of Russell, Kansas and his brother George Reynolds of Lincoln, Kansas; 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of Russ’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, December 14, 2020, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell. Viewing and visitation will be held from 1 P.M. to 6 P.M. on Sunday, December 13, 2020, and Monday 9 AM to service time at the mortuary. Memorials may be given to the Russell Food Pantry and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.