Russell L. Sandefur

Russell “Russ” Luther Sandefur, age 83 of Galesburg, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Russ was born on May 9, 1943 to Ernest & Ora Lee (Adams) Sandefur. The large family of eight children moved around the country while growing up, before they settled in Allegan, in 1959, where Russ graduated high school in 1961.

In August of 1961, he entered into the U.S. Navy and served for 4 years on the USS Yosemite, USS Dewey and was a “plank owner” (a plank owner is an original crewmember when a ship is first commissioned) on the USS Conyngham. He had so many stories from the Cuban Missile Crisis and travelling throughout the Mediterranean Region, of which Greece was his favorite. Russ took great joy in pushing the rules as far as he could without being court-martialed and didn’t mind the occasional ship restriction.

Russ was an electrician by trade. He began his career in the Navy, attended 4 years of trade school, and used his skills to work his way up to Foreman on many jobsites. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 131 and was still active until his death. The IBEW recently recognized him for 50 years of membership and he looked forward to attending the annual summer picnic. His favorite jobs included working on brand new high schools, tailoring the electrical needs for the staff despite the architect's hard work on blueprints. He worked at Rowen and Blair, which became Moore Electric, until he officially retired in 2010. While on the job, Russ always found the nearest local bakery and never found a donut he didn’t like.

Russ met the love of his life, Donna Kay Schneider, while they were both in a singles bowling league. During the course of their courtship Dad particularly enjoyed taking Donna for rides in his beloved Mustang to the shore of Lake Michigan. They were married on June 20th, 1970. Together they spent 56 wonderful years enjoying bowling, adventuring to waterfalls, taking weekend trips (even if by bicycle), and were a part of their euchre club for 15+ years. Russ and Donna had four daughters, uniquely each four years apart, Laurajane, Allison, Kim, and Bonnie.

Russ was a member of Parchment United Methodist Church (PUMC) for 56 years and had a true servant's heart. He enjoyed his trustee volunteer position and packing and delivering holiday food baskets. If something was broken, he would fix it. In recent years he was a regular fixture of the monthly Fresh Food Initiative distribution at the church.

While he officially retired in 2010, he never really retired. During his retirement years Russ was extremely active in his community. He found joy in serving others. He mowed countless miles of lawns and could be found tinkering or fixing things both at his home and those of family, friends, and neighbors. He also enjoyed watching golf, basketball, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy; frequently calling his daughters to discuss these in real time. When Russ wasn’t off assisting someone or working on a project, he enjoyed spending time in the sunroom that he built and reading mystery novels. He was also very social and enjoyed regular chats on the phone with friends and family and looked forward to his weekly breakfasts with his retired friends. He became a master classroom mover and decorator each summer for his educator daughters. He also enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren’s events.

Russ was the longest living of the Sandefur family, outliving his parents and those siblings that preceded him in death by 11+ years–a new family record!

Russ is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna Kay Sandefur; daughters: Laurajane (Paul) Van Niman, Allison (Eric) Gumper-Hoffman, Kim (Glenn Giffith) Sandefur, and Bonnie (Danny) Grihalva-Meaux; brother: Doyle (Joy) Sandefur; sisters: Ernestine (Ron) Nickrent and Glendine Sandefur; grandchildren: Mariah Smith, Alec Gumper, Ally Gumper, Charlotte Sandefur-Griffith, Korey Grihalva, Shelby Grihalva, Cassidy Meaux, and great grandchild: Sterling Smith; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation and viewing will be on Thursday, July 9th from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Adams-Redmond-Parchment Funeral Home, 2300 E. G Avenue, Parchment, MI. Additionally, all that knew him may meet with the Sandefur family again at Parchment United Methodist Church, 225 Glendale Blvd., Parchment, on Friday, July 10 from 10 - 11 AM for visitation. The service will begin at 11:00 AM with a luncheon immediately following in the social hall. Following the reception, there will be a grave-side interment at 2:00 PM at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park South on South Westnedge Ave.

Please visit www.AdamsRedmond.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for the Sandefur family. If you are unable to attend Russ’ Celebration of Life, please tune in at https://parchmentumc.org/messages-live/

Memorial contributions may be made to Parchment United Methodist Church (designated to Fresh Food Initiative) in loving memory of Russ Sandefur.