Russell V. Melton, 89, of Genoa and Belvidere died on March 13, 2024 at Northwoods Care Center.

He was born on January 27, 1935 in Genoa to Lorain and Bertha Melton.  He married Patricia Lewis on December 14, 1957.

Russell was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from 1954-1962 (4 years active and 4 years in the reserves). After the military, he was employed at Greenlee Textron in Genoa, retiring in 2000.

Russell loved to go fishing and do woodworking.  He volunteered for the Genoa-Kingston Fire Department for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Pat; children, Alan Melton, Cyndi (Paul) Alsup and Becky (John) Ellenwood; 7 grandchildren, Brandon (Kelly) Alsup, Jared (Ali) Alsup, Johnathan (Brittany) Melton, Samantha (Mark) DeDina, Andrew (Hayley) Funkhouser, Carly Ellenwood and Johnny Ellenwood; 11 great grandchildren; his brother, Earl Melton; sister-in-law, Inez Melton; brother-in-law, Joe Crocker and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and 5 siblings, Evelyn (Bob) Peterson, Louise Melton, Ruth Crocker, Raymond Melton and Lois Crook; and sister-in-law, Judy Melton.

His Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, May 18th at Cyndi and Paul's home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Genoa-Kingston Fire Department or Transitions Care/Hospice in care of the Slater-Butala Funeral Home, P.O. Box 8, 132 W. Main St., Genoa, IL. 60135.

To sign the online guest book go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com