AVA, Gene Wesley Russell, 82, of Ava, passed away at 12:04 P.M. Friday, March 11, 2011, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro, IL. Gene was born June 22, 1928 in Ava, Illinois the son of William E. Russell and Floy (Stout) Russell. Gene married Betty L. Sharp Tope on June 6, 1999 in Chester, IL. He was retired from Cora Coal Docks as an Operating Engineer. Gene was an US Army veteran having served from 1946 until 1948. He was a member of the Sato Baptist Church in Ava and the Operating Engineers Local #318, Marion, IL. Gene is survived by his wife Betty L. Russell of Ava; seven step children, Lou Ann Kilpatrick of Steeleville, IL, Edward (Deb) Tope of Shelbyville, IL, Linda (Jim) Rathert of Campbell Hill, IL, Connie (Ron) Coleman of Chester, IL, Dennis (CoCo) Tope of Ava, Wayne Tope of Ava, and Patty (Russell) Eaton of Ava; 18 step grandchildren; 25 step great grandchildren; one step great great grandchild; and one step sister, Mary Louise (Clarence) Cochran of Carbondale, IL. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; and one step brother. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 14, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava with Rev. Francis Bartley officiating. Burial will follow at Ava Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava on Sunday from 5 to 8 pm and on Monday from 7:30 am until 11 am. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund.