Russell E. Fryer Obituary (1943 - 2016)

Russell E. Fryer, 72, of Bloomington, died at 8:12 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Heartland Healthcare, Normal.Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 11, 2016 at St. Marys Catholic Church, Bloomington. The Rev. Ric Schneider officiating. Interment will be at Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, immediately following services. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington. Memorials may be made to St. Marys Catholic Church or a charity of the donors choice. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.He was born August 6, 1943 in Elmwood, son of Samuel Chester and Rozella E.J. Nelson Fryer. He married Josephine Jo Mary Carey on October 2, 1965 in England. She preceded him in death on March 23, 2016 after 50 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents.Surviving are six children, Russell J. (Ann) Fryer of Vietnam, Brian (Melani) Fryer of Louisville, KY, Amanda (Jeff) Roget of Normal, Robert (Marlene) Fryer of Lake Villa, Erin (Aaron) Fisher of Sneads Ferry, NC and Mark (Whitney) Fryer of Bloomington and 20 grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers, Jerry Fryer of Bloomington, Danny (Alvah) Fryer of Galesburg, Brad (Sheila) Fryer of LeRoy and one sister, Jane (Ron) Wolschlag of Normal.Russell graduated from Yates City High School and later served in the US Air Force from 1962 to 1966. He served three of those years in England in military intelligence, deciphering Russian communications. After leaving the Air Force, Russell worked for State Farm and then moved in July of 1967 to The Pantagraph as a photo engraver. While at The Pantagraph, he was the Credit Union Treasurer for several years; he retired in August of 2008 after 41 years.He enjoyed riding motorcycles and was a member of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association). He also enjoyed hiking and the outdoors. Some of his fondest memories were hiking through Starved Rock State Park with his family.Russell was a loving husband, father and grandfather; he cherished his time spent with his grandkids and loved attending their activities. He was a member of St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington for many years and served as a Eucharistic Minister. In June of 1976, he made Cursillo, which is a course in Christianity and was blessed to be involved with Cursillo the rest of his life.