Russell E. Somers

Ava, MO

Russel E Somers, 74 years, passed away on June 21, 2014 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO with his family by his side.

Russel was born October 23, 1939 in Hyndsville, NY to Earl Homer and Hannah Mary (Gillett) Somers.

Russel was a resident of the Ava community since 1997 moving from Cobleskill, New York. He honorably retired in 1977 after 20 years of military service where he served in the US Army in Viet Nam and Korea. Later he tenured as a welding instructor at Boces Vocational school and as a Truck driver in New York.

On January 2, 1960 Russel and Lillian Puckett were united in marriage in Castleton, New York and to this union four children were born.

He enjoyed military history, ancient history and eating good food.

Russel was preceded by his parents in 1952 and 1976, his step-father, John Kodra in 1975, his wife, Lillian in 2005, and half sister, Margaret Boest in 2000.

Russel is survived by four children, Mark Somers & Lory Miers, Warnerville, NY Melissa West, Ava, MO Rodney & Maria Somers, Chesapeake, Va and Jessica Somers, Ava, MO, six grandchildren, five sisters; Edith & Paul Guernsey, Dorloo, NY, Pauline & James Petteys, Cobleskill, NY, Arlene & Paul Stafford, Sharon Springs, NY, Carol & Ellsworth Shaw, Ava, MO, Genevieve & Woodrow Mitchum, Lake City, FL, as well as four brothers Albert & Catherine Sommers, Dorloo, NY, Stuart Somers, Ava, MO, Douglas & Donna Somers, Sharon Springs, NY, Johan Kodra, Dorloo, NY, many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.


Memorial service for Russel will be Tuesday, June 24, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO with full military honors by Troy Herd American Legion Post 112. Officiating will be Rev. Freeda Holt. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.