Russell Sheppard

Russell Dean Sheppard, son of the late Edward and Iva (Dennis) Sheppard, was born February 23, 1938, in the Broyles’ community and passed away at his farm near Mountain Grove, with family by his side on February 6, 2020. He was 81 years, 11 months, and 14 days of age.

Russell grew up in the Broyles community and went to school at Broyles school before transferring to Mountain Grove High School. He married Joan Brumley on May 26, 1957, at the home of Joan’s sister, Jim and Betty Hubbard. Rev. John Wright performed the ceremony. Joan had chosen red roses as her wedding theme. Three children were born to this union: Rusty, Cherri, and Robin.

Russell and Joan lived in Springfield, Missouri, for a couple of years while Russell worked in furniture upholstering for Ozark Manufacturing. Then they returned to Mountain Grove and soon after, bought the farm on Whetstone Creek where they raised their family and lived the rest of their lives. Russell worked for Producer’s Creamery for more than ten years. Then Russell and Joan headed to Wisconsin to purchase their first head of Wisconsin Holsteins and became fulltime dairy farmers. They milked together for thirty-five years. In September of 2005, they sold the herd but continued to keep a small herd of beef cattle.

Russell greatly enjoyed time spent fishing whether it was in the Whetstone or Gasconade streams or in ponds across the area. Gathering for a delicious fish fry with family and friends was often the result of catching a mess of fish. Russell always left room for a good bowl of homemade ice cream to finish out the evening. Plenty of country cookin’, stories, laughter, and fellowship was had at the Sheppard farm throughout the years. Russell loved his family and cherished times spent with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

Russell learned about making furniture when he was a young man and continued this hobby throughout the rest of his life, turning his milk barn into a wood working shop after he retired. He loved making gun cabinets, kitchen cabinets, tables, grandfather clocks, and beds. Russell had a special touch, turning pieces of wood into heirloom furniture. In his later years, he enjoyed going to produce sales and bringing home goodies for other people.

Russell was saved as a young man. He enjoyed attending church, spending time with his church family, and playing the harmonica for services. He also loved playing the harmonica while his grandkids sang along.

Besides his parents, Russell was preceded in death by a grandson, Lance Williams, six brothers, Earl, Georgene, Curtis, Bob, Alston, and Clifford Sheppard, six sisters, Margaret, Marcella, Utella, Avis, Wilda, and Wilmeth, and by a nephew, Wilbur Sheppard.

He is survived by his loving wife of their home, Joan Sheppard, one son, Rusty Sheppard and his wife, Annette, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, two daughters, Cherri Ellis and her husband, David, of Graff, Missouri, and Robin White and her husband, Tony, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, five grandchildren, Dustin Ellis (Mandy), Jared Ellis (Anneliese), Chance Williams (Lizzy), Rance Williams, (Lexie), and Callie Parker (Kellis), ten great-grandchildren, Lily, Roxy, Lance, Cash, Everly, Jacob, Billy, Noah, Miitnee “Mighty”, and Maddox, and many other relatives and friends who will greatly miss his spirit and love for life.