Russel Everett Burgess

Russel E. Burgess, 77 years old, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2014 in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada surrounded by his family. He was born January 20, 1937 in Aurora, but resided in Naperville (except for a brief move to Indianapolis) until 2001 when he moved to Las Vegas. He met his wife, Carol (Matthews) Burgess on a blind date in early 1967 and they were married September 30, 1967. Russel is survived by his wife, Carol of 47 years, his son Dan Burgess (wife Nathalie Burgess) of Las Vegas and daughter Cindy (Burgess) Lunde (husband Alan Lunde) of Phoenix, Arizona. He is also survived by his grandchildren Zachary (13), Allison (8), and Jackson (6) Burgess of Las Vegas and Matthew (10), Amanda (8) and Angela (6) Lunde of Phoenix, as well as numerous extended family members in Illinois and Las Vegas and many cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Burgess, his father Frederick Burgess, his stepfather Henry Meyer, and his mother Mildred E (Dagenais) Meyer, all of Naperville. Russel graduated from Naperville Central High School and Northern Illinois University. He served in the Army National Guard for six years. He worked tirelessly to support his family as partner at Naperville Refuse Service and owner of Minuteman Press in Downers Grove. After his retirement from the printing business, he loved his job as a campus monitor at Naperville Central High School where he spent several happy years and was adored by students and staff alike. After moving to Las Vegas he also was a beloved campus monitor at Molasky Jr. High until 2010. Russel was a devoted husband, a wonderful dad and a doting, fun loving grandpa to his six grandchildren. He loved Chicago sports and was a lifelong Cardinals fan even after they moved out of Chicago. He was thrilled when the White Sox finally won the World Series in 2005. He had a great love of dogs and had at least one in his home throughout his life. Although our hearts are breaking we are comforted in the fact that he is no longer in pain and is rejoicing in heaven. There will be a service to celebrate his life on January 10, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Palm Mortuary, 7400 Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89129.