Arthur "Russ" Russell Quilhot

Arthur Russell Quilhot, a Fort Wayne-area resident for more than 60 years, a proud U.S. Marine, and the joyful and loving patriarch of a large family, died unexpectedly on Thursday, February 10. Russ, 89, was born in Highland Park, Mich., and grew up in the city of Birmingham outside Detroit. After attending Mackenzie High School in Detroit, he graduated from Purdue University in 1955. He was a four-year member of the Purdue University football team. At Purdue, he met Jeanette Somers, whom he married in 1956. An ROTC cadet at Purdue, Russ joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif., and finished his military service as a 1st lieutenant. After his service, Russ joined the Medical Protective Company as an agent in Arcadia, Calif. In 1960, Russ and Jeanette moved to Fort Wayne, Jeanette’s hometown, to continue his work at the Medical Protective. Russ was a member and one-time president of the Anthony Wayne Rotary Club. Russ took great joy in his large and active family. With Jeanette, he had six children, 20 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. He loved following the activities and sports competitions of his children and grandchildren, often traveling great distances for athletic events, horse shows, and arts performances. In 1990, Russ and Jeanette established Indian Creek Farm in Whitley County, which breeds and trains Morgan showhorses, including many that have won World Championship titles. As members of the Emmanuel Community Church, they traveled with fellow members to Israel to explore the Holy Land and study the life of Jesus. In recent years, Russ has enjoyed a Saturday morning Bible study and Wednesday afternoons playing cards with friends. Russ was predeceased by his mother, Josephine Truesdell Jones; his father, George Russell Quilhot; his twin sister, Betty Lou Lewers; and sisters Janet Q. Potter and Roberta M. Hurdle. He is survived by Jeanette; his children Charles Quilhot (Jane), David Quilhot, Dru Conner (Chuck), Sally Lindsay (Drew), Anne Buckley (Tom), and John Quilhot (Heather); his half-sister Lori Q. Maurer; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at DO McComb & Sons Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne. Funeral service will be held Thursday, February 17, at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Community Church, 12222 U.S. Highway 24W in Fort Wayne. There will be a visitation at the church before the service from 1 to 2 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Russ’s memory may be directed to the Emmanuel Community Church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Quilhot family can be shared at www.mccombandsons.com. "To God be the Glory!"