Russell W. Stewart

Russell W. Stewart age 74 of Belle Fourche, died Friday October 1, 2010 at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center. A memorial service will be held 1pm Monday October 4th, 2010 at Northern Hills Church of Christ in Spearfish, with Rev. Jerry Savage officiating. Inurnment will be held 3pm Monday at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis. There will be no visitation. Funeral arrangements are with Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Memorials are preferred to Northern Hills Hospice. Russell Wallace Stewart was born November 5, 1935 in Youngstown, Ohio. He was the son of Robert and Vera (Howard) Stewart. Russell grew up in Ohio where he attended Canton High School. In 1953 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed for a period of time in Tule, Greenland. In 1957 he was discharged. He continued serving in the Reserves until 1961. For many years, Russell lived in Northern California where he owned and managed restaurants and bars. For 18 years he managed properties with his wife Debbie. He had many adventures, including the idea of putting live bull riding shows in large night clubs for several years. Russell was married to Debra Griffith on September 23, 1994 in Reno, Nevada. In 2004 they retired to Spearfish and in December of 2007 they settled in Belle Fourche. Russell’s passions included boating, and restoring old boats. He was a hard worker and did many things in life. He also held benefits for many years, raising money for Make a Wish Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. For the past several years, Russ has suffered from the effects of Parkinson's and Diabetes and through all this time he has fought hard and shown courage and determination. He loved his family, and especially his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. Russell is survived by his wife Debra of Belle Fourche; sons, Todd Stewart of Roseville CA, Mark (Sharon) Stewart of Roseville CA; daughter, Debra Stewart of Fort Walton Beach FL; grandchildren, Nicholas Stewart of Roseville CA, Morgan Stewart of Concord CA; brother, James (Billie Ruth) Stewart of Neosho MO; sister, Virginia Yates of Centralia IL; and sister-in-law, Pat Stewart of Dothan AL. He is also survived by his father and mother in laws, Darrel and Marlene Griffith of Faith SD; brothers-in-law, Jim Griffith of Decatur TX, Doug Griffith of Discovery Bay CA, Rick (Mindy) Griffith of Spearfish; sister-in-law, Terri (Phil) Kissack of Spearfish; and several nieces and nephews.