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  • Graveside Committal:  11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 19, 2008 at Rest Haven Memory Gardens, Belding

Mr. Russell Kenneth Shadow Augustine, age 86, of Greenville, passed away Tuesday morning, Feb. 26, 2008 at Spectrum Health United Memorial-United Hospital, Greenville.

The son of John & Clella (Chaffin) Augustine, he was born on July 6, 1921 in St. Louis. After graduating high school, Russ served his country in the U.S. Army and was a proud veteran of World War II. While serving under General Douglas MacArthur in the Asiatic-Pacific and Philippine Island theatres, he was decorated with the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was a longtime member of both the Cleveland-Wolverton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3794 and the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 in Greenville.

On Dec. 31, 1948, in Belding, he married the former Helen M. Button. Together, they raised two children, and enjoyed 57 years of marriage until Helen passed away on March 17, 2006. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph, and Rollo; and six sisters, Hazel, Lola, Marion, Velma, Doris, and Maxine.

For over 45 years, he worked as a tool and die maker at the former Gibson Refrigerator Company where he acquired the nickname, “Shadow”. He was a member of the International Associated Tool Crafters union, enjoyed golfing and hunting, but will be best remembered by his family as the worlds best dad, grandpa, and great grandpa .

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia & James Turnbull of Greenville; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary & Carol Augustine of Lakeview; four grandchildren, Anthony Augustine, Barbara & Jerry Bristol, Rhonda & Nate Drews, Rickey & Sara Allen; four great grandchildren, Ian Augustine, Natasha Bristol, Olivia and Elaina Drews; a brother, Max Augustine; two sisters-in-law, Rose Davies of Lansing, and Alma Bond of Greenville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were on March 1, 2008 at the Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville.  The Rev. Lynne Kronewitter, pastor of Cowden Lake Christian Church, officiated the ceremony.  Burial, with joint military honors conducted by the Cleveland-Wolverton Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Ray I. Booth American Legion posts, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at Rest Haven Memory Gardens, Belding.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Mr. Augustines online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.christiansen-fh.com


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1 Condolence

  1. Anonymous on February 26, 2008 at 12:00 am

    Guestbook

    03/13/2008 –

    Ian Augustine
    this is my great grandfather. we both love the world war. my prayers and condolences are with my family. i love you and will miss you….

    03/08/2008 –

    Susan and Hal
    Dear Jim and Patti,
    Hal and I were so sorry to hear of your loss. He must have been a remarkable man and father, because he had such lovely family and served us all by serving our country in a time of war.

    03/05/2008 –

    Deborah Cory Valencia
    I was very sorry to hear about Uncle Russell’s passing. I was able to speak to him in late December at Christmas time and was so glad to hear his voice. He was such a nice man, and I remember well visiting he and Aunt Helen when we travelled to Greenville. My father Jerry Cory loved him very much and always said he was such a great uncle. My condolences to your family. I’m sorry we could not come to the funeral, but please know we are thinking of you all during this difficult time.

    02/28/2008 –

    Elizabeth Cory
    My dearest sympathies to your family. Uncle Russell was my father (Gerald Cory’s) uncle on the Augustine side, my grandmother Lola Augustine, his sister. I am deeply sorry for your loss and will miss Uncle Russell. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I send many hugs to you from across the atlantic. May God be with you during this time, and always.

    02/28/2008 –

    Joyce Cory
    Your father was a kind and gentle man. He will be greatly missed. Jerry felt very close to him. I guess because Russell lived with him and his mother after World War II. I have fond memories of both your dad and mother each time we visited Greenville. I’m sorry I won’t be at the funeral but I will be thinking of you all. Love Joyce

    02/27/2008 –

    Rickey & Sara Allen
    Our condolences to all those related to and who knew Grandpa.

    02/27/2008 –

    Patricia A. Hilliard
    I will always remember Uncle Russell. A man of few words but he had such a way of speaking that I can close my eyes & still hear him in my memory. His voice was unique, a little sarcasm but in a humorous way. When I was a little girl my mom, (Maxine) dressed me in the little cotton dresses with the belt that tied in the back. Uncle Russell would walk past me, (usually with his hands in his pockets), reach over & pull on the bow. I’d have to get it retied over & over. For years I’ve never thought of Uncle Russell without thinking automatically of Russell and Helen. Now they are together again.

    02/26/2008 –

    Cyndie
    You will be missed, Grandpa A.

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