Russel Paul Mammen

OTTAWA – Russel Paul Mammen, age 58, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday evening, December 19, 2013 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Monday, December 23rd at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Father Mike Driscoll officiating .  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. till service time Monday at the funeral home.  Honorary pallbearers are Rick Granados, Paul Wold, Bob Eltrevoog, Matt Murry, Tom Ostrowski, Skip Hall, Terry Leuty, Timmy Orr, Rommy Cummings and Jarod Lawrence.

Russel was born March 23, 1955 in Ottawa, the son of Frank and Margaret (Hassel) Mammen.  He is survived by his brother and sisters, Janet (Bob) Schuett of Florissant MO, Mary (Terry) Harris of Armstrong IA, Joni (Bill) Burke of DeKalb, Lori Van Aken (Dave Sommerville) of Ottawa, and John Mammen of Utica; nieces, Sara Schuett, Susan (Ron) Copeland, Emily Schuett, Missy (Emerson) Busse, Holly Gage and Katie Burke; his nephew, Joshua Mammen; great nephew, Logan Andreoni; and great niece, Rosemary Copeland.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, Joseph and Lucile Hassel.

Russel was a member of St. Columba Church.  He was also a member of the Sons of the American Legion.  He was a supervisor of the Parks Department for the City of Ottawa for over 30 years prior to his retirement.  Russ was a great brother and an awesome uncle.  He had countless friends and was generous to a fault.  Everyone always felt welcome in his home.  He was a very kind man and others could count on him to help with anything needed.  Russel was a very talented individual and could rebuild anything with a motor.  He was also a master on the BBQ grill.  He was known to be a prankster and loved playing practical jokes on others.  Russ was strong and fought his battle with cancer to the very end.  Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.