Oran: Russell Frederick Cummings age 86 passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Parkview Assisted Living in Fairbank. He was born May 13, 1931 near Dunkerton. He was the son of Floyd and Grace (Turner) Cummings. Russell attended and graduated from Oran High School. After high school he served in the United States Army from 1952-1954 during the Korean War. When he returned home from the war he attended Iowa State Teacher’s College from 1954-1955. Russell was employed by Lorber Construction of Oran for many years until his retirement. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Oran Fire Department for 40 years. He was also a loyal member of the First Baptist Church of Fairbank for over 50 years, where he helped out with the care and maintenance of the church. Russell was known by many as the “Mayor of Oran.” He enjoyed and was honored to go on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to visit the Korean War Memorial. Russell is survived by a brother, Merlyn (Helen) Cummings of Santa Barbara, California, one nephew; David, four nieces; Kathy, Karen, Kris and Janice and his special family Doris Parizek, Diane Neil, Mel and Judy Neil and their families. He was preceded in death by brothers, Everett, Dale (Beverly) Cummings and special family members; Larry Parizek, Dale Neil, Dennis (Brenda) Neil.
Funeral Services: 10:30 am Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the United Methodist Church, Fairbank.
Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.
Military Rites: Conducted by the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552.
Firefighter Honor Guard: Conducted by the Buchanan County Honor Guard assisted by the Oran Volunteer Fire Department.
Interment: Fairview Cemetery Dunkerton, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to: Oran Fire Department, Fairbank First Baptist Church or Parkview Assisted Living.
Condolences for Russell F. Cummings
We send you our deepest sympathy.
Our warmest thoughts of sympathy and love are with Russel’s family and friends. He always wore a smile and was such a kind-hearted man. What a life well lived! He will be missed but forever remembered. It was our privilege to know him.
Will miss Russell, I always enjoyed visiting with him. A great friend to my dad, Francis Youngblut. They attended many smelt fries together, and countless card games. A true friend
Russell “Rusty” Cummings~~A neighbor, a coworker, a friend. Russell was my neighbor, my friend and my co worker on the farm in the Oran /Fairbank area in the 40’s and 50’s. When my Dad(Leslie “Mac” McLaury) wanted the calf pen or chicken house cleaned, Mac hired Russell to come out and work with me(Eldon McLaury) to do the job. There were many good discussions as the jobs got done. But a highlight was in I believe 1950 when Oran Telephone Co decided to bring telephones to rural areas. Mac signed on with the Company(“Fat” Youngut”) President) with the demand that Mac dig 3 foot deep telephone pole holes every 100 yds or so for telephone poles from the Don Duffy’s place/Rudy Heth’s road South to Jack Newtons. Yup, Russell and me got the job. All went well till across from George Neil’s –Rocks–2 1/2 feet down! and we needed 3 feet. After much hassle, discussion, directions that each hole be 3 ft deep and failure to remove the rock, we had to dig a new hole. Strange, but the circumstance remains, and I can still see the site–ah yes, memories. And then, there was an August, 1961 weekend on the National Bison Range, Moiese, MT — where Ginny(my wife) and I lived during my summer job with the US Fish and Wildlife and Service. Russell and Dale Neil drove out to see us from Oran and spend the weekend. Great weekend as Russell and Dale went with me on a variety of activities. Then, on Saturday nite, we took Russell and Dale to Missoula to see the University and city sites which included several saloons where me and Dale tried to drink all the “Old Fashions in Missoula–we failed as Russell shook his head at our determination. Russell drove back to the Bison Range(45 miles). We enjoyed a much needed Sunday Morning sleep in and after a late breakfast, took Russell and Dale on a tour of the Flathead Valley. Our tour, included Ronan, MT a small cowboy town where we met a couple of horse back riders. After a bit of discussion with the riders, Russell and Dale were offered horse back rides up and down Ronan’s main street. Not sure if Russell enjoyed the horseback ride — but he went! Yes, Memories of a neighbor, a co workers and a friend–thank the Good Lord for those memories. They mean a lot to me, especially at this time. Thanks “Rusty”!