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Russel E. Somers, 74

Russel E. Somers, 74, passed away on June 21, 2014, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Mo., with his family by his side.
Russel was born Oct. 23, 1939, in Hyndsville, N.Y., to Earl Horner and Hannah Mary (Gillett) Somers.
Russel was a resident of the Ava community since 1997, moving from Cobleskill, N.Y. He honorably retired in 1977 after 20 years of military service where he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and Korea. Later he tenured as a welding instructor at Boces Vocational School and as a truck driver in New York.
On Jan. 2, 1960, Russel and Lillian Puckett were united in marriage in Castleton, N.Y., and to this union four children were born.
He enjoyed military history, ancient history and eating good food.
Russel was preceded by his parents in 1952 and 1976; his stepfather, John Kodra in 1975; his wife, Lillian in 2005; and half sister, Margaret Boest in 2000.
Russel is survived by four children, Mark Somers and Lory Miers, Warnerville, N.Y., Melissa West, Ava, Mo., Rodney and Maria Somers, Chesapeake, Va., and Jessica Somers, Ava, Mo.; six grandchildren; five sisters, Edith and Paul Guernsey, Dorloo, N.Y., Pauline and James Petteys, Cobleskill, N.Y., Arlene and Paul Stafford, Sharon Springs, N.Y., Carol and Ellsworth Shaw, Ava, Mo., and Genevieve and Woodrow Mitchum, Lake City, Fla.; as well as four brothers, Albert and Catherine Somers, Dorloo, N.Y., Stuart Somers, Ava, Douglas and Donna Somers, Sharon Springs, N.Y., John Kodra, Dorloo, N.Y.; many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorial service for Russel was held Tuesday, June 24, at Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, Mo., with full military honors by Troy Herd American Legion Post 112.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeard funeralhome.com.