Wataga – Russel L. West, 68, of Wataga, passed away unexpectedly Friday, November 14, 2025, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.
Russel was born October 11, 1957, in Galesburg, the son of Merl John and Betty Joann (Swanson) West. He married Kathy Luper on December 18, 1990, in Las Vegas. Together they celebrated 34 years of marriage.
Surviving are his wife Kathy at home; daughter Laura Rammage of Galesburg; grandson Ayden Myers; bonus daughter Mindy (Kevin Godsil) Locke of Galesburg; bonus grandchildren Brittany (Shawn) Hilligoss and Chandler Stevenson, both of Knoxville; two bonus great-granddaughters, Ayla Bee and Wenny Roux Hilligoss; and sister-in-law Toni West.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Molly Rae Elizabeth, and brother Michael West.
Russel graduated from Galesburg High School in 1975, attended Carl Sandburg College, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Park and Recreation Administration from Western Illinois University in 1981. He retired December 31, 2024, from JMTC-Rock Island Arsenal after 15 years as a machine maintenance planner. Earlier he worked at Maytag and Caterpillar.
Russel loved family deer hunting and fishing trips, mushroom hunting with Kathy and the kids, golfing (he once scored a hole-in-one at Bunker Links), and playing Fortnite with grandson Ayden. He helped run the family flea market, The Rivermouse, during Scenic Drive and never missed a “Misfit” family gathering—always with his trusty cooler of Diet Coke.
Visitation will be 4–7 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory in Knoxville. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Maquon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to GYAC Boxing Club, Galesburg. Online condolences may be left at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
