Russell Lee “Russ” Lemasters Sr., 74 years old, from Jere, passed away on June 18, 2018, at St. Augustine’s Manor, after a lengthy illness. He was born on February 3, 1944, in Osage.
He grew up and lived in Jere “holler” the majority of his life. The eighth of ten children to Edith Greathouse Lemasters and Charles Washington Lemasters, he had a love of motorcycles, fishing, hunting and camping.
He drove a truck for Falls City beer and for Budweiser for a number of years and he also worked in the coal mines for Kitt Energy at the Phillipi Mine. He received numerous awards for safety.
He was a loving father, husband, grandpap and friend to all that knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elmira Rinehart Lemasters, a sister, Ethel Leona Lemasters Wilt and husband Charles, from Troy, Ill.; children, daughter, Kimberely Kay Lemasters Graham and husband Jay, son, Russell Lee Lemasters Jr. and wife Rita, son, Raymond Lemasters and wife Melissa, step- daughter, Diane Stelmarlski and husband Tom, adopted son, Bobby Gene Lemasters and wife Missy; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, too many to mention.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edith and Charles, six brothers, Jesse, Jasper, Marion George, Charles William, Raymond Edward and Virgil Leslie and two sisters, Juanita Lemasters Herbert and Mary Leona Lemasters Sargent.
Special thanks to Tina Lemasters Salsbury and husband Mark for their continued support and to the nursing staff and residents of St. Augustine’s Manor for their care and comfort of our dad.
There will be private family services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association in Russell’s memory.