Russell W. “Russ” Luellen Jr., 79, of Butler, formerly of Parker, a retired school teacher and real estate agent, passed away Friday evening, December 6, 2024 while in the company of his loving family at Butler Memorial Hospital.
Russell was born in Washington on December 15, 1944. He was the son of the late Russell W. Sr. and Eva Gertrude Pattison Luellen.
He was a 1962 graduate of Trinity High School and earned a B.S. in education from Clarion State College in 1966. Russ completed graduate studies at Indiana State College. Russ’s teaching career spanned 34 years at Karns City High School where he was well respected among the district’s students, staff, and parents. Russell served in the U.S. Army Reserves with the 300th Group headquartered in Butler. Following retirement from teaching, he earned his real estate license and was a realtor in the Butler area for many years.
Russell and his wife were members of St. Paul’s Community Church in Chicora, and later became members of Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church. He was a mason and a member of Parker Allegheny Canby Lodge #521 in Parker. He was a member of American Legion Post #778 in Lyndora, and a member of Venice Moose Lodge #1308. Russ enjoyed the company of his family, camping, and spending his winters and fishing in Florida.
Russ is survived by his wife, Sandra Van Horn Luellen, whom he married in Butler on October 19, 1996. Also surviving are three sons, Dr. John Luellen and his wife, Michele, of Gibsonia, Scott Luellen and his wife, Katherine, of Massachusetts, and Mark Luellen and his wife, Dr. Beth Ann, of Ruckersville, VA; a stepson, Michael Callihan and his wife, Jennifer, of Chicora; a step daughter, Dr. Michaelle Callihan and her husband, Nino Orsini, of Seven Fields; eleven grandchildren, Evan, Colin, Meghan, Owen, Madison, Morgan, Mia, Emme, and Anna Grace Luellen, and Cory and Dalton Callihan, as well as a number of nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law, Jacobine Fedorek. His childrens’ mother survives, Nancy Luellen, of Chicora.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sara Ann Luellen.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday. A funeral service will be held from the funeral home at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Members of Lyndora American Legion Post #778 will accord military honors Wednesday morning at the funeral home. Interment will be Oak Grove Cemetery, Sugarcreek Twp., Armstrong Co. Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church, 727 West Old Rt. 422, Butler, PA 16001. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.